Privacy Policy

DateScamCheck.com ("DateScamCheck", "we", "us") is a free, advertising-supported tool that helps people check whether a dating profile photo has been stolen and reused online. This policy explains, in plain language, what information is involved when you use the site and what choices you have.

We have deliberately built this service to collect as little as possible. There are no user accounts, no login, and no database of users. We do not ask for your name, email address, or payment details to use the tool.

1. Information you provide

To run a check you give us one of the following:

• An image URL — the web address of a photo. We send this URL to our search provider (SerpApi) so it can look up where that image appears online. We do not store the URL after the search completes.
• An uploaded photo — when you upload a photo, it is shown as a preview directly in your browser. Uploaded files are not sent to our servers. To search an uploaded photo you are directed to Google Lens, where you choose whether to upload it.

We do not run a database and we do not retain the photos, URLs, or results of your searches. Each check is processed and then discarded.

2. Information collected automatically

Our hosting provider (Netlify) and our advertising partner (Google) may automatically receive standard technical information that virtually all websites receive, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, and the pages you view. This is used for security, to keep the site running, and to serve ads.

3. Cookies and similar technologies

We use two kinds of storage:

• Consent preference (required). When you choose "Accept" or "Reject" on our cookie banner, we store that single choice in your browser's local storage so we do not ask you again. This contains no personal data and is not shared with anyone.
• Advertising cookies (optional). We display ads through Google AdSense. Advertising cookies and similar technologies are only loaded after you make a choice on the cookie banner. If you choose "Accept", Google and its partners may use cookies to show personalised ads. If you choose "Reject", ads are loaded in non-personalised mode and advertising-profile cookies are not used for that purpose.

You can change your choice at any time using the Cookie Preferences link in the footer of every page.

4. Advertising and third parties

To keep DateScamCheck free, we rely on the following third parties. Each has its own privacy policy that governs how it handles data:

• Google AdSense — serves the ads on this site. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on prior visits to this and other websites. You can learn more and opt out of personalised advertising at Google Ads Settings and aboutads.info. Google's use of advertising data is described in the "How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services" page.
• SerpApi — performs the reverse image search. When you check an image URL, that URL is sent to SerpApi. See the SerpApi legal and privacy pages.
• Netlify — hosts the website. See the Netlify privacy policy.
• Google Lens / Google Images — when you click a link to search a photo manually, you leave our site and Google's own privacy policy applies.

5. How information is used

Information is used only to: perform the reverse image search you requested, display advertising that funds the free service, keep the site secure and functioning, and remember your cookie choice. We do not sell personal information, and we do not build profiles of our visitors.

6. Your choices and rights

• Accept or reject advertising cookies using the banner, and change that choice at any time via "Cookie Preferences".
• Opt out of personalised advertising through Google Ads Settings.
• Clear cookies and local storage through your browser settings at any time.
• Depending on where you live (for example, under the GDPR or CCPA), you may have additional rights regarding personal data. Because we do not maintain user accounts or a database of personal data, most requests can be satisfied simply by clearing your browser storage. For other requests, contact us using the details below.

7. Children

DateScamCheck is intended for adults using online dating services. It is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

8. Data security

The site is served over HTTPS. Because we do not store your photos, search URLs, or results, there is no archive of your activity that could be exposed.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be reflected on this page before they take effect.

10. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your privacy can be sent to [email protected].