Privacy Policy for How to Convert

Last Updated: October 30, 2025

Welcome to How to Convert, operated by Merlinsbeard Pty Ltd ("we," "our," "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website, https://howtoconvert.co ("Site"), and our desktop application. By using the Site or application, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

1. Downloadable Application Privacy

The How to Convert desktop application (for Mac, Windows, and Linux) operates with complete privacy:

- No Telemetry: The application includes no telemetry, tracking, or analytics whatsoever.
- Offline Operation: After initial license validation during setup, the application runs entirely locally and offline on your device.
- Local Processing: All file conversions occur on your device. No files are uploaded to our servers or any third parties.
- License Validation: The only network communication is a one-time license validation during initial setup to verify your purchase.
- No Data Collection: The application does not collect, transmit, or share any usage data, files, or personal information.

The following sections (2-13) apply only to our website at https://howtoconvert.co. The downloadable application operates independently and privately on your device.

2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Data: We collect your name, email, and payment information to process your orders.
2.2 Non-Personal Data: We use web cookies for website functionality and analytics.

3. Purpose of Data Collection
The data we collect is used solely for order processing, improving our services, and optimizing our website performance and marketing efforts.

4. Data Collection Practices
We only ask for personal information when it is truly needed to provide a service to you. We collect this information by fair and lawful means, with your knowledge and consent. We will let you know why we are collecting it and how it will be used.

5. Cookie Consent Management

To comply with GDPR regulations, we provide a cookie consent banner to visitors from the European Union and United Kingdom. You can choose to "Accept all" or "Essential only." Your choice is stored in your browser and can be withdrawn at any time by clicking the "Manage Cookie Preferences" button at the top of this page.

Regardless of consent choice, we may still collect basic analytics and payment information server-side under our legitimate business interest for order processing, financial reporting, and service improvement.

6. Tracking Technologies and Analytics

Cookie-based tracking technologies (Facebook Pixel, Google Analytics, DataFast, and Rewardful) only activate with explicit consent for EU/UK visitors.

6.1 Facebook/Meta Pixel:
We use the Facebook/Meta Pixel, a tracking tool that collects data—such as page views and user interactions—for ad conversion tracking and analytics. This helps us measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and improve our marketing efforts. For more details on how Facebook collects and uses data, please see the Facebook Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation

6.2 Google Analytics:
We use Google Analytics (Google Ads) to track website usage, conversions, and advertising performance. Google Analytics may collect information such as your IP address, device information, and browsing behavior. This data helps us understand visitor behavior, measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns, and improve our services. For more information about how Google collects and uses data, please see Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

6.3 Rewardful (Affiliate Tracking):
We use Rewardful to track affiliate referrals and attribute sales to our partners. This service may use cookies to identify referred visitors.

6.4 DataFast Analytics:
We use DataFast to track website usage, including page views and user interactions. When you accept cookies, DataFast uses cookies for visitor tracking and attribution. For more information, please review DataFast's privacy policy at https://datafa.st/.

6.5 Plausible Analytics:
We also use Plausible Analytics, a privacy-focused analytics tool that does not use cookies or collect personally identifiable information. Plausible collects only aggregated, anonymized website usage data and operates independently of cookie consent. For more information, please review Plausible's privacy policy at https://plausible.io/privacy.

7. Data Retention
We only retain collected information for as long as necessary to provide you with your requested service. We protect stored data using commercially acceptable means to prevent loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification.

8. Data Sharing
We do not share your data with any third parties, except when required to do so by law.

9. Children's Privacy
We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with their information, please contact us at jake@howtoconvert.co.

10. External Links
Our website may link to external sites that are not operated by us. Please be aware that we have no control over the content and practices of these sites and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy policies.

11. User Rights
You are free to refuse our request for your personal information, with the understanding that we may be unable to provide you with some of your desired services.

12. Updates to the Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are made, we will notify users by email. Continued use of the Site after such updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Information
For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at jake@howtoconvert.co.

Thank you for using How to Convert!