Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

NetIRC collects the following information to provide our IRC network services:

IRC Network Data:

  • Connection Information: IP address (IPv4/IPv6), connection timestamps, ports used (6667-7000)
  • User Identity: Nickname, username, hostname for IRC identification
  • Channel Activity: Channels joined, channel operators, channel topics and modes
  • Network Logs: Connection/disconnection events, network routing information

ZNC Bouncer Service (Optional):

  • Message Logs: Chat messages from channels you join (if you use our free ZNC service)
  • Bouncer Configuration: Your ZNC settings, network configurations, channel lists
  • Connection History: When you connect/disconnect through the bouncer

X Bot Services:

  • Channel Registration: Channel names, topics, operator lists, access lists
  • User Registration: Nickname registrations, password hashes, email addresses (if provided)
  • Bot Interactions: Commands used, bot responses, service requests

Trivia Game:

  • Game Statistics: Scores, games played, correct/incorrect answers
  • Leaderboards: Rankings, achievements, game history

Website Data:

  • Contact Forms: Name, email, messages when you contact us
  • Analytics: Website usage statistics (anonymized), page views, referrers
  • Cookies: Session data, preferences, authentication tokens

2. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Article 6)

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Legitimate Interest (Art. 6(1)(f)): Network security, abuse prevention, and service operation
  • Contract Performance (Art. 6(1)(b)): Providing IRC services you request
  • Legal Obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)): Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)): For optional services and features (where applicable)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

IRC Network Operations:

  • Connection Management: Route your IRC connection to appropriate servers
  • Channel Services: Manage channel registrations, operator privileges, and access control
  • User Services: Handle nickname registrations, password authentication, and user preferences
  • Network Routing: Maintain server linking and network topology

ZNC Bouncer Service:

  • Message Storage: Store and replay chat messages when you reconnect
  • Connection Persistence: Maintain your IRC connection even when you're offline
  • Configuration Management: Save your bouncer settings and network configurations

Security and Abuse Prevention:

  • DDoS Protection: Monitor and block malicious traffic
  • Spam Prevention: Detect and prevent spam, flooding, and abuse
  • Security Monitoring: Identify and respond to security threats
  • Compliance Enforcement: Enforce network rules and terms of service

Service Improvement:

  • Technical Support: Troubleshoot connection issues and provide assistance
  • Network Statistics: Monitor server performance and network health (anonymized)
  • Feature Development: Improve services based on usage patterns
  • Trivia Game: Track scores, maintain leaderboards, and provide game statistics

4. Data Retention

We retain data only as long as necessary for service operation and legal compliance:

IRC Network Data:

  • Connection logs: 30 days maximum (IP addresses, connection times, disconnection reasons)
  • Channel messages: Not permanently stored (processed in real-time only)
  • Network routing logs: 90 days (for network maintenance and troubleshooting)
  • Security logs: 1 year (for abuse prevention and security monitoring)

ZNC Bouncer Service:

  • Message logs: 30 days maximum (chat messages stored for replay)
  • Bouncer configuration: Until account deletion or 1 year of inactivity
  • Connection history: 90 days (for troubleshooting and support)

X Bot Services:

  • Channel registrations: Until channel is dropped or 2 years of inactivity
  • User registrations: Until account deletion or 3 years of inactivity
  • Bot command logs: 30 days (for abuse prevention and support)

Other Data:

  • Trivia game scores: 1 year (for leaderboards and statistics)
  • Website analytics: Aggregated and anonymized (no personal data retained)
  • Support communications: 2 years (for service improvement)
  • Legal compliance data: As required by applicable laws

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or share personal information with third parties except:

  • When required by law or legal process
  • To protect network security and prevent abuse
  • With your explicit consent

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

As a data subject, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

  • Right of Access (Art. 15): Request access to your personal data and information about how it's processed
  • Right to Rectification (Art. 16): Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data
  • Right to Erasure (Art. 17): Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to Restriction (Art. 18): Request limitation of processing under certain circumstances
  • Right to Data Portability (Art. 20): Request transfer of your data to another service provider
  • Right to Object (Art. 21): Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Right to Withdraw Consent (Art. 7): Withdraw consent for processing based on consent
  • Right to Lodge a Complaint (Art. 77): File a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at admin@netirc.eu. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information, including:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
  • Access controls and authentication systems
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • Data minimization and pseudonymization where possible
  • Incident response procedures for data breaches

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

  • Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand website usage (anonymized)
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

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

9. International Data Transfers

Your data is primarily processed within the European Economic Area (EEA). If we transfer data outside the EEA, we ensure adequate protection through:

  • Adequacy decisions by the European Commission
  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
  • Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs)
  • Certification schemes and codes of conduct

10. Age Restrictions

Our services are not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you are under 16, please do not use our services or provide any personal information to us.

11. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at:

Email: admin@netirc.eu
IRC: #help on NetIRC network

12. Policy Updates

This privacy policy may be updated periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

Last updated: September 2025

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