Privacy Policy

Responsible for data processing

Email: ch@photomatchforensics.com

Hosting and technical operation

When this website is accessed, technical information may be processed by the hosting provider and the website infrastructure to deliver the service and maintain security and stability.

This may include information such as IP address, date and time of access, requested pages or files, browser information, operating system information, referrer information and technical status information.

Processing is based, where applicable, on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. The legitimate interest is the secure, stable and technically reliable operation of the website.

Self-hosted privacy-friendly analytics

PhotoMatchForensics uses a self-hosted visitor statistics system to understand general website usage and improve the technical operation and usability of the website.

The system records technical usage information such as visited pages, access date and time, and statistical visitor information.

IP addresses are never stored in readable form. Instead, a one-way cryptographic hash is generated solely for statistical purposes and to distinguish unique visitors. The original IP address cannot be reconstructed from this hash.

The collected information is used exclusively to generate aggregated statistics such as:

• page popularity
• visitor countries
• browser distribution
• operating system statistics
• device statistics
• referrer statistics

No individual visitor profiles are created.

Geographic information is generated using the GeoLite2 database provided by MaxMind. Only generalized location information, such as country level data, is used. No precise location tracking is performed.

PhotoMatchForensics does not use Google Analytics, advertising trackers, cross-site tracking technologies or live visitor monitoring systems. The analytics system is fully self-hosted on the PhotoMatchForensics server. No visitor data is shared with third parties for analytics or advertising purposes.

Cookies and similar technologies

PhotoMatchForensics does not intentionally use advertising cookies or third-party tracking cookies.

The website is designed to operate without user profiling, advertising tracking or cross-site behavioural tracking.

Email and communication

If you contact PhotoMatchForensics by email or other communication channels, the information you provide is processed only for handling and responding to your request.

Communication data is retained only as long as necessary for the purpose of the request or as required by applicable legal obligations.

External communication via Telegram

PhotoMatchForensics may provide links to Telegram for communication purposes. Telegram is an external service operated independently from this website.

If you use Telegram, the processing of data is subject to Telegram's own privacy practices.

External social media link to Instagram

PhotoMatchForensics may provide links to its Instagram profile. Instagram is an external service operated independently from this website.

If you follow an Instagram link, you leave PhotoMatchForensics and the processing of personal data is subject to Instagram's and Meta's own privacy practices. PhotoMatchForensics does not embed Instagram content or tracking elements directly into this website.

Third-party websites

PhotoMatchForensics may contain links to external websites. When following such links, the privacy policies of the respective third-party providers apply.

Storage period

Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary for the respective purpose or where legal obligations require longer retention.

Data protection rights

Depending on applicable law, you may have rights including access, rectification, deletion, restriction of processing and objection to certain processing activities.

To exercise your rights, contact: ch@photomatchforensics.com

Changes to this privacy policy

This privacy policy may be updated if the website, technical infrastructure or processing activities change.