This Privacy Policy explains how Sputnik Digital Effects (“we,” “us,” SPUTNIK DIGITAL, LLC) handles information in connection with the VanityFilter desktop application (the “Software”) and the website at vanityfilter.com (the “Site”). It should be read alongside our End User License Agreement.
1. The Software processes your video on your own computer
VanityFilter processes your video locally on your computer. Your video files, exported results, mask videos, projects and processing settings are not uploaded to us or to any third party. We do not receive, see, store or process the videos you edit.
The current download verifies license keys locally. Older installed releases remain unchanged. The following online-activation notice applies to the next release, which is not yet the current download.
Next-release license activation and checks
Activation will require an internet connection and verification of the purchase email address, without creating an account. The licensing service will receive your license key and its entitlement details, such as the buyer name, purchase email and license term. It will also exchange email-verification information, device identifiers, the computer name and operating-system platform, and license-check status and timestamps. Network requests expose the IP address to the server. This information is used to verify entitlement and enforce a shared limit of two active computers across Windows and macOS. It does not include footage, project contents or processing settings.
After a successful check, the app can work offline for up to 30 days. Once that authorization expires, projects and previews remain available, but new exports require a successful online check. Existing buyers can use their current license when upgrading and do not need to repurchase. See the next-release licensing notice.
Both VanityFilter and VanityCam check for updates by fetching a small file from vanityfilter.com, at most once a day. That request carries the application name and version and your IP address, as any web request does; nothing else is sent, and nothing about you or your video is included. You can turn the check off in the application (Help → Check for updates automatically).
2. Information we collect on the Site
The website collects limited information, described below.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to measure how visitors use our website. This includes approximate location, browser and device information, referral source, and interactions like pages visited and buttons clicked. This data helps us understand what works and what does not.
Contact form
When you use our contact form, we collect the name, email address, topic, message, and any optional license name you provide. We use this only to respond to your inquiry and provide support. Messages are delivered to our support inbox and retained as long as needed to handle your request and our records.
Server logs
Our hosting provider (IONOS) keeps standard web-server logs (such as IP address, browser user-agent, requested pages, and timestamps) for security and operational purposes. These logs are retained for a limited period.
Purchases
Payments are processed by Stripe or PayPal. The provider you choose handles the transaction and your payment details; we receive confirmation of the purchase and the email address needed to deliver your license key. We never see or store your full payment card number.
3. Cookies
Google tags stay off until you make an affirmative choice. Reject optional keeps Google Analytics and advertising off. Analytics only allows usage measurement and keeps advertising and Google Signals off. Accept all enables analytics plus advertising.
If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, advertising stays off even with Accept all.
Your choice is remembered on this browser for 180 days. You can change or withdraw it anytime in the footer under Cookie settings. When you withdraw, the page reloads and Google cookies accessible to our site are cleared. Existing third-party cookies or data already collected are not deleted by withdrawal.
4. How we use information
- To respond to your messages and provide customer support.
- To understand Site traffic and improve the Site and the Software.
- To operate, secure, and maintain the Site.
- To fulfill purchases and deliver license keys.
If you choose Accept all, we also load the Meta Pixel (Facebook and Instagram advertising) so we can tell whether a visit that started from one of our Facebook or Instagram ads led to a checkout. It sets Meta cookies such as _fbp and _fbc and reports page views, buy-window opens, checkout starts and checkout returns with the price. It never receives your email address, license key or payment details. Meta's privacy policy is at facebook.com/privacy/policy.
If you choose Accept all, we also load the OpenAI advertising pixel so we can tell whether a visit that started from one of our ads in ChatGPT led to a checkout. It reads the click identifier ChatGPT adds to the ad link, keeps it in a first-party cookie, and reports checkout starts and checkout returns with the price. It never receives your email address, license key or payment details. OpenAI's ad policies are at openai.com/policies/ad-policies.
Under the same Accept all choice we load the Roku advertising pixel, which reports a page view and a checkout return so we can tell whether a Roku TV ad led to a visit or a purchase. It uses a first-party cookie and never receives your email address, license key or payment details. Roku's advertising privacy terms are at roku.com/legal/privacy-policy.
If you choose Accept all, Google and third-party vendors may show our ads on other websites and apps. This uses first-party Analytics cookies (such as _ga and _ga_*) together with Google advertising cookies or identifiers. Google Signals may associate your website session data with your Google account if you are signed in and have Ads Personalization enabled, which can provide demographics, interests, and cross-device insights. Google Ads remarketing may show our ads to website visitors for seven days after a visit; visiting again refreshes that period. If you match a recorded purchase or checkout-return event, you are not added to the remarketing audience.
You can opt out of personalized advertising through our Cookie settings or at My Ad Center. You can manage or delete Google account-associated data in My Activity. To opt out of Google Analytics entirely, use the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. Google's privacy policy is at policies.google.com/privacy.
5. When we share information
We share information only with service providers who help us run the Site and business, and only as needed:
Google Analytics and advertising cookies are set by Google. We do not send form contents, email addresses, or license keys as analytics events. Google may process advertising data linked to your Google account. This tracking applies only to website visits, never to video processed by our desktop apps.
- IONOS: website hosting and email delivery.
- Stripe and PayPal: payment processing when you buy a license.
We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect our rights, safety, or property.
6. Your choices and rights
To request access, correction, or deletion of personal information we hold, use our contact form. You can withdraw consent through the Cookie settings link in the footer, and manage or delete Google account-associated data in My Activity.
7. Data retention
Google Analytics data is retained according to our configured retention period (currently 14 months). Contact messages are kept as long as needed to support you and maintain our records. Server logs are kept for a limited period.
8. Children
The Site and Software are not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
9. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Where information is processed
We are based in the United States, and information we collect is processed in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, you understand that your information may be processed here.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date above. Material changes will be reflected on this page.
12. Contact and governing law
Questions about this Privacy Policy? Use our contact form, or write to us at the address in our EULA. This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, United States, consistent with our EULA.