Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Python Online. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains our practices in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable privacy laws in the European Union.

By using Python Online, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our service.

2. Data Controller Information

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at the email address above.

3. Information We Collect

We collect and process the following types of data when you use Python Online:

3.1 Data Stored Locally on Your Device

We use browser localStorage to store your preferences locally on your device. This data never leaves your browser and includes:

• Theme Preference: Your choice between light and dark mode
• Layout Preference: Your preferred editor layout (horizontal or vertical)

You can clear this data at any time through your browser settings.

3.2 Code Sharing Data

When you use our code sharing feature, we collect and store:

• Code Content: The Python code you choose to share
• Programming Language: The language of your code (typically Python)
• Share ID: A unique identifier for your shared code
• Creation Timestamp: The date and time when the code was shared

This data is stored in our database (Supabase) and is accessible via a unique share link. Shared code is publicly accessible to anyone with the link.

3.3 AI Suggestion Requests

When you use our AI-powered error correction feature, we send the following data to our AI service provider (Volcengine):

• Error Messages: Python error messages from your code execution
• Code Context: Relevant portions of your code related to the error
• User Prompts: Any questions or requests you submit to the AI assistant

This data is processed by Volcengine's AI service to provide you with coding suggestions and error corrections.

3.4 Analytics and Usage Data

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. This may include:

• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring website
• IP address (anonymized)
• General geographic location (country/city level)

4. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyze website usage. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

4.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality (localStorage for preferences)
• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics cookies to understand website usage and improve our service
• Advertising Cookies: Google AdSense cookies to display relevant advertisements

4.2 Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website. To learn more about cookies and how to manage them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect and process your data:

5.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect anonymous usage data.

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

5.2 Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google may use cookies to show ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites.

Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Ad Settings: Google Ad Settings

5.3 Volcengine (ByteDance)

We use Volcengine's AI services to provide code suggestions and error corrections. When you use this feature, your code and error messages are sent to Volcengine's servers for processing.

Privacy Policy: Volcengine Privacy Policy

5.4 Supabase

We use Supabase as our database service to store shared code snippets. Supabase is a secure, open-source backend platform.

Privacy Policy: https://supabase.com/privacy

5.5 Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

We use the following CDN services to deliver website assets efficiently:

• Cloudflare CDN: For ACE Editor and Split.js libraries - Privacy Policy
• jsDelivr CDN: For Pyodide Python runtime - Privacy Policy
• Google Fonts: For Material Icons - Privacy Policy

6. How We Use Your Data

We collect and process your data for the following purposes:

• Provide Core Functionality: To enable code editing, execution, and sharing features
• Personalize Experience: To remember your theme and layout preferences
• AI Assistance: To provide intelligent code suggestions and error corrections
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with our service and improve functionality
• Advertising: To display relevant advertisements that support our free service
• Security: To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents

Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR):

• Consent: For analytics and advertising cookies (implied by continued use)
• Legitimate Interest: For essential functionality, security, and service improvement
• Contract Performance: To provide the services you request (code sharing, AI suggestions)

7. Data Retention

We retain your data for the following periods:

• localStorage Data: Stored indefinitely on your device until you clear it
• Shared Code: Stored indefinitely unless you request deletion
• AI Request Data: Processed in real-time and not permanently stored by us (retention by Volcengine governed by their policy)
• Analytics Data: Retained by Google Analytics for 26 months (default setting)

You may request deletion of your shared code at any time by contacting us at [email protected].

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You can request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent for data processing at any time
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You can file a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

9. Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously and implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect it:

• HTTPS Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS
• Secure Database: Shared code is stored in Supabase with industry-standard security measures
• Access Controls: Limited access to data storage systems
• Regular Updates: We keep our software and dependencies up to date with security patches

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including:

• United States: Google (Analytics, AdSense), Supabase
• China: Volcengine (ByteDance) for AI processing

These transfers are necessary to provide our services. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or reliance on the service provider's privacy frameworks.

11. Children's Privacy

Python Online is not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us at [email protected], and we will delete such information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify users through a prominent notice on our website

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of Python Online after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days.