stdout.chat is a private, interest-based text chat service. We connect you with other users for conversations based on shared interests — no accounts, no history, no personal information required.
This Privacy Policy describes what limited technical data we process to operate the service, prevent abuse, and fulfill legal obligations. We are committed to collecting as little as possible.
Core principle: We do not attempt to identify you and do not collect information that directly identifies you. Messages are not stored after a session ends. In limited cases (such as abuse reports), a limited portion of recent message content may be temporarily retained for moderation purposes and then deleted when no longer needed.
By using stdout.chat, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the service.
stdout.chat is designed with privacy as the default. We collect only what is technically necessary to operate the service.
When you first launch the app, a randomly generated pseudonymous identifier (Device ID) is created and stored locally on your device in the iOS Keychain. This identifier:
The Device ID is transmitted to our server for:
/block command (stored locally on your device only)The Device ID is not used for tracking across apps or services and is not shared with third parties for advertising purposes.
Your IP address is processed by our server infrastructure. It is used for:
IP addresses are not stored permanently. Temporary records may be retained to enforce active bans; these are automatically deleted once the ban expires (maximum 30 days for most cases).
IP addresses are not used to identify individual users and are not combined with other data to build user profiles.
We store the following pseudonymous metrics linked to your Device ID:
| Data point | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Reputation score (integer) | Rating-based matchmaking and rank display |
| Number of conversations | Score calculation |
| Average session duration | Score calculation and abuse pattern detection |
| Total time online | Dashboard statistics |
| Messages sent count | Dashboard statistics |
| Credits balance | In-app purchase functionality |
| Report count received | Automated moderation thresholds |
All metrics are stored pseudonymously — linked to a random Device ID, not to any personal identity.
When you use the /report command, the following is recorded:
This information is used solely for moderation and abuse prevention. Reported message content is reviewed and is not retained longer than necessary for moderation purposes.
For operational diagnostics, we briefly log:
This data is used solely to monitor server health and detect abnormal usage patterns. It is not tied to message content or personal identity.
The /shout command broadcasts a message to all currently connected users.
Shout content is temporarily held in memory to deliver the broadcast and is not
written to persistent storage. After delivery, shout content is discarded.
A short-lived status record (sent/expired) is retained for moderation purposes
for up to 5 minutes, after which it is automatically purged.
When you purchase credits via in-app purchase, a transaction record is stored containing the anonymized Apple transaction ID and the credit amount credited. No payment card or billing information is ever transmitted to or stored by stdout.chat. All payment processing is handled exclusively by Apple.
stdout.chat intentionally avoids collecting personal data. The following are never collected or stored:
Conversations are ephemeral by default. Once a session ends, message content is not stored. However, in cases where a report is submitted, a limited portion of the conversation may be temporarily retained for moderation purposes. Outside of these limited cases, we cannot retrieve past conversations.
We use the limited data we collect exclusively for the following purposes:
/shout broadcasts to online users/block so users can avoid each other/scoreWe do not use your data for advertising, profiling, marketing, or sale to third parties.
| Data type | Retention period |
|---|---|
| Message content | Not stored after a session ends — exists only in memory during an active session |
| Reported message content | Retained temporarily for moderation review, then deleted |
| Shout content | Up to 5 minutes (in-memory only), then purged automatically |
| Connection logs | Up to 30 days, then deleted by automated cleanup |
| IP addresses (temporary bans) | Duration of ban (maximum 30 days), then deleted |
| Pseudonymous reputation score | Retained while Device ID remains active |
| Report records | Retained for moderation purposes; reviewed periodically |
| Credit purchase ledger | Retained for financial record-keeping (minimum 7 years per applicable law) |
| Ban records (device bans) | Duration of ban; permanent bans retained indefinitely |
Automated cleanup jobs run daily to remove expired data. You may request deletion of data associated with your Device ID by contacting us at [email protected].
We do not sell, rent, or trade your data. Sharing is limited to the following circumstances:
We use third-party providers to operate our infrastructure. These providers may process limited technical data as part of normal infrastructure operation:
These providers are engaged under data processing agreements and are not permitted to use your data for their own purposes.
We may disclose limited technical data (such as IP addresses or ban records) if required by law or in response to a valid court order or legal process. Message content is not stored after ordinary sessions end; however, if a report has been submitted, a limited portion of recent messages may be temporarily available for moderation purposes and could be disclosed if legally required.
In situations involving credible threat of serious harm, we may share limited available technical data with appropriate authorities.
stdout.chat offers in-app purchases of Credits — the in-app currency used to
send /shout broadcasts and unlock features.
All payment processing is managed exclusively by Apple through the App Store. stdout.chat never receives, processes, or stores:
Apple's privacy practices are governed by the Apple Privacy Policy.
Upon successful purchase, we store:
This is linked to your Device ID (not to your Apple ID or identity). Purchase records are retained for a minimum of 7 years for financial record-keeping compliance.
Refund requests are handled through Apple. Contact Apple Support or visit reportaproblem.apple.com. We cannot process refunds directly.
We implement technical and organizational measures appropriate to the limited data we handle:
No online service can guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach affecting personal data, we will notify affected parties as required by applicable law.
stdout.chat is strictly intended for users who are 18 years of age or older. By using this service, you confirm that you meet this age requirement.
We do not knowingly collect any information from users under the age of 18. The service is not directed to minors, and we do not market to minors.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has accessed stdout.chat, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. We will take prompt action to restrict access and delete any data that may have been associated with the account.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights regarding the limited data we process. These may include:
You may request a summary of the pseudonymous data associated with your Device ID (score, report count, ban status). Note that we cannot identify you without your Device ID, which you must provide in your request.
You may request deletion of your pseudonymous profile data. To effectively reset your data, you may also delete and reinstall the app — this generates a new Device ID, severing any link to prior activity.
You may request a copy of the pseudonymous data associated with your Device ID in a structured format.
You may object to processing based on our legitimate interests. If you believe processing is unlawful, you may request restriction.
If you are located in the EU or EEA, the legal basis for processing is our legitimate interest in operating a secure, functional service (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR). You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete, the right to opt-out of sale (we do not sell data), and the right to non-discrimination. Because we do not collect personal information as defined by the CCPA, most provisions do not apply — but we honor all requests in good faith.
Submit requests to: [email protected]
Response time: up to 30 days. Include your Device ID (found in /score or app settings)
to allow us to locate relevant data.
stdout.chat infrastructure is hosted primarily in the European Union (Hetzner, Germany). The website is served globally via Vercel's edge network. By using the service from any jurisdiction, you consent to the processing of limited technical data as described in this policy.
We do not transfer data to countries with inadequate data protection standards without appropriate safeguards.
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the service, legal requirements, or our practices. When we make material changes, we will:
Continued use of stdout.chat after the effective date of any updated policy constitutes acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the updated policy, please discontinue use of the service.
Previous versions of this policy may be requested by contacting [email protected].
You may request deletion of any data associated with your Device ID at any time.
To submit a deletion request, please contact us at [email protected].
We will process deletion requests within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with
applicable laws. To help us locate your data, please include your Device ID (available
via /score or app settings).
For privacy-related questions, data requests, or concerns:
Privacy Requeststdout.chat is an independent project. We are not a large corporation — but we take your privacy seriously and will respond to every legitimate request.