Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how SearchNow.ai ("we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, stores, and protects information in connection with your use of our AI-powered web search and summarization services, including our website, applications, and related tools (collectively, the "Services"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling any personal data transparently and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

"Personal Data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, such as your name, email address, or online identifiers like your IP address. This Privacy Policy explains what Personal Data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and what rights you have regarding your Personal Data.

Please also review our Terms of Service, which govern your use of the Services. Capitalized terms not defined in this Privacy Policy have the meanings given in the Terms of Service.

1. Who We Are

SearchNow.ai is a professional PDF and document tools platform. For the purposes of applicable data protection laws — including the EU General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), the revised Swiss Federal Data Protection Act ("FADP"), and the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") — SearchNow.ai acts as the data controller for any Personal Data we collect directly through the Services.

When you upload or otherwise provide files and information to process using our Services ("User Files"), you remain fully responsible for any personal data contained within those User Files. Because our tools process User Files locally on your device by default, we have no access to the content of your User Files.

2. Information We Collect

We collect minimal information. Our guiding principle is to collect only what is necessary to provide and improve the Services.

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: To use premium features, you may create an account. We collect your email address and a password (stored in securely hashed form). You may also verify your email address via a one-time code.
• Contact & Support: If you contact us via email, you may provide your name, email address, and any other information you choose to include.
• Payment Information: When you subscribe to a premium plan, payment details (such as credit card information) are collected and processed directly by our third-party payment processors (Creem). We do not receive or store your full credit card number. We only receive a subscription status and related metadata (e.g., plan type, expiration date).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Technical Data: When you visit our website, our hosting infrastructure may temporarily process your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and timestamps. This is standard for website delivery and security.
• Usage Data: We may collect anonymized, aggregated information about how the Services are used — such as which tools are most popular and general performance metrics. This data does not include your file content or any personally identifiable information derived from them.
• Cookies & Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies for functional purposes and, with your consent, for analytics. See Section 9 for details.

2.3 User Files — What We Do NOT Collect

We do not upload, store, or access the content of your User Files. All file processing occurs locally within your browser or device. We have no technical ability to view, copy, or retain your documents, images, or any other files you process using our tools. This is a fundamental architectural choice made to protect your privacy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the limited information we collect for the following purposes:

• To Provide the Services: Delivering the website and tools, authenticating user accounts, processing subscriptions, and maintaining stability and security. Legal basis: performance of a contract and/or legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(b) and (f) GDPR).
• To Communicate With You: Sending account-related notices (e.g., payment reminders, subscription expirations) and responding to your inquiries or support requests. Legal basis: legitimate interest and/or performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b) and (f) GDPR).
• To Improve the Services: Analyzing aggregated, anonymized usage patterns to understand which tools are most valued and how we can enhance performance. Legal basis: legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
• To Ensure Security: Monitoring for and preventing abuse, fraud, and unauthorized access. Legal basis: legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).
• To Comply With Legal Obligations: Meeting our obligations under applicable law, regulation, legal proceedings, or governmental requests. Legal basis: legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR).

We do not use your Personal Data or search queries for advertising, profiling, or any automated decision-making that produces legal effects concerning you.

4. How We Process Your Search Queries

This section describes how we handle your search queries and AI processing.

4.1 Browser-Based Processing

All file processing tools — including merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, organize pages, etc. — execute entirely within your web browser. Your files are loaded into your browser's memory, processed locally, and the results are saved directly to your device. At no point during this process are your files transmitted to any remote server.

4.2 Future Server-Assisted Features

In the future, we may offer certain advanced features that require temporary server-side processing (e.g., for larger AI models). If we do, they will be clearly labelled, require your explicit consent, and files will be automatically deleted after processing. Currently, no such features exist.

5. How We Protect Your Data

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect any Personal Data we process:

• Encryption in Transit: All communication between your browser and our website is encrypted using TLS.
• Transient Query Processing: Search queries are processed in real time and not permanently stored.
• Access Controls: Personal Data we hold is accessible only to authorized personnel bound by confidentiality obligations.
• API Security: All AI and search API calls are made over encrypted TLS connections with strict access controls.

While we strive to protect your information, no method is 100% secure. We continuously work to improve our security posture.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your Personal Data. We may share limited Personal Data only in the following circumstances:

6.1 Service Providers

We engage trusted third parties to perform functions on our behalf:

• Hosting & Infrastructure: Website hosting and CDN services may process IP addresses and technical data.
• Payment Processing: Subscriptions are managed by Creem, which processes your payment details. We do not receive or store full card numbers.
• Email Delivery: We use Resend to send transactional emails (verification codes, payment notifications). Your email address is processed to deliver these messages.

All providers are contractually bound to process data only on our instructions, in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

6.2 Legal Obligations

We may disclose Personal Data if required by law, court order, or valid governmental request.

6.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger or sale, Personal Data may be transferred. We will notify you before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

7. Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained for the life of your account. You may request deletion at any time.
• Payment Metadata: Retained for the duration of your subscription plus any legally required period (typically 7–10 years for financial records).
• Support Emails: Retained for up to 24 months after resolution.
• Search Queries: Processed transiently for AI summarization; not stored permanently on our servers.

9. Cookies & Similar Technologies

9.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

Essential for website operation (security, authentication). Legal basis: legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

9.2 Analytics Cookies

With your consent, we may use anonymized analytics to understand which search features are most used. You may withdraw consent at any time. Legal basis: consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR).

9.3 Third-Party CDN Resources

Our website loads fonts and icons from Google Fonts and Cloudflare CDN, which may process your IP address. Please review their privacy policies: Google, Cloudflare. We are working to self-host these resources to reduce third-party exposure.

9.4 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling necessary cookies may affect website functionality.

10. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights including access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection. To exercise these rights, contact us using the details in Section 12.

CCPA Notice: California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, to request deletion, and to opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information). To exercise your CCPA rights, please contact us at the email below.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under 16, and we do not knowingly collect data from children. If we become aware that a child under 16 has provided us with Personal Data, we will delete it promptly.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted here with an updated "Last updated" date, and we may notify subscribed users via email. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

13. Contact Us

For any questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

SearchNow.ai
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.searchnow.ai

For formal privacy requests, please use the subject line "Privacy Request – SearchNow.ai."

This Privacy Policy was last updated on June 15, 2026, and is effective immediately. It replaces all prior versions.