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Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

This Privacy Policy is provided by ClearDNS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company located at 8 The Green STE D, Dover, DE, US (referred to herein as "ClearDNS," "we," "us," or "our"). It describes how we handle information when you use the ClearDNS DNS filtering service ("Service"), our website, and our mobile applications.

At ClearDNS, privacy is not just a feature - it's our foundation. We've built our service from the ground up to minimize data collection while maximizing your protection online.

Our Privacy Philosophy

ClearDNS operates on a zero-knowledge principle. We believe that effective DNS filtering doesn't require knowing who you are. Unlike traditional services that require accounts, emails, and passwords, ClearDNS works without any personally identifiable information.

What We Don't Collect

Let's start with what we intentionally avoid:

  • No account information: We don't require or store emails, usernames, passwords, or any registration data.
  • No personal identifiers: We don't track your name, address, phone number, or any other PII.
  • No query logs by default: Your DNS queries are processed in real-time and discarded immediately. We don't maintain logs of the websites you visit.
  • No browsing history: We cannot and do not build profiles of your internet activity.
  • No cross-device tracking: Each device configuration is independent. A one-way device hash is stored solely for reinstall recovery (see Mobile App section below).
  • No third-party analytics on DNS: Your DNS queries are never shared with advertisers, data brokers, or analytics companies.

What We Do Process

To provide DNS filtering, we necessarily process:

  • DNS Queries: When your device makes a DNS request, we receive the domain name being queried. This is processed in real-time to apply your filter settings and is not stored.
  • Filter Configuration: Your chosen filter categories (ads, malware, adult content, etc.) are stored in an anonymous configuration linked only to a randomly generated device identifier.
  • Anonymous Device Tokens: Each device receives a unique, random token that identifies its filter configuration. This token contains no personal information and cannot be traced back to you.

Mobile App

When you use the ClearDNS mobile app, we process limited device information solely for reinstall recovery and subscription management:

  • Vendor Device Identifier: On iOS, we derive a one-way cryptographic hash (SHA-256) from the Identifier for Vendor (IDFV). On Android, a similar hash is derived from the Android ID. These hashes cannot be reversed to obtain the original identifier and are used only to recover your filter configuration if you reinstall the app.
  • Device Model and Brand: Basic device information (e.g., "iPhone" or "Pixel") is stored alongside your anonymous device token to help you identify your devices in the dashboard.
  • Subscription Management: If you subscribe through the app, purchase records are managed by Apple (App Store) or Google (Play Store) and by RevenueCat, our subscription infrastructure provider. RevenueCat receives only your anonymous policy identifier, not your name, email, or any personal information. For RevenueCat's privacy practices, please refer to their privacy policy.

The vendor device identifier hash resets when you uninstall all ClearDNS apps from your device (iOS) or when you reset your device (Android). We do not use these identifiers for cross-app tracking, advertising, or analytics.

Optional Query Logging

For users who want visibility into their DNS activity (such as parents monitoring children's devices or users troubleshooting), we offer optional 90-day query log retention as an add-on feature.

  • This is strictly opt-in and disabled by default
  • Logs are stored encrypted and associated only with your anonymous device token
  • You can delete your logs at any time
  • Logs are automatically purged after 90 days

Dashboard Analytics Feature (Analyze and Full Tiers)

The Analyze and Full subscription tiers include a dashboard analytics feature that lets you view historical DNS activity, trends, and filtering statistics. To power this feature, ClearDNS stores anonymized per-query data using Cloudflare's built-in analytics infrastructure. This data includes:

  • The domain name queried and the filtering decision (allowed/blocked)
  • An anonymized IP address (the last octet of IPv4 addresses is zeroed; only the first 48 bits of IPv6 addresses are retained)
  • Timing, Cloudflare edge location, and protocol metadata

This data is associated only with your anonymous policy identifier, not with any personal information. It is retained for 90 days, is visible only in your own dashboard, and is used solely to display your analytics. On the Essential and Stream tiers, no per-query data is stored. ClearDNS does not use Google Analytics or any third-party analytics service on the DNS side.

Infrastructure and Security

ClearDNS infrastructure is designed with privacy in mind:

  • DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT): All DNS traffic is encrypted, preventing your ISP or network operators from seeing your queries.
  • Distributed Processing: We use Cloudflare's global network for DNS resolution, ensuring fast responses and robust security.
  • Minimal Storage: DNS queries on the Essential and Stream tiers are processed in real-time and not written to permanent storage. Analyze and Full tiers retain anonymized data to power the dashboard analytics feature as described above.
  • Regular Security Audits: Our infrastructure undergoes regular security reviews.

Website Analytics

Our marketing website (cleardns.com) uses Cloudflare Web Analytics, a privacy-focused, cookie-free analytics tool, to understand how visitors interact with our site. We do not use Google Analytics or any third-party tracking scripts on our website. Website analytics are entirely separate from our DNS service and do not affect your DNS queries in any way.

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party service providers to operate ClearDNS:

  • Cloudflare: Provides the global edge network for DNS resolution and content delivery. Cloudflare processes DNS requests on our behalf but does not have access to your filter configurations or any identifying information.
  • Stripe: Processes web-based payments. Stripe receives your payment method details (card number, Apple Pay, or Google Pay token) and a reference to your anonymous policy identifier. Stripe does not receive your name or email unless you voluntarily provide one for receipts.
  • RevenueCat: Manages mobile app subscriptions (iOS App Store and Google Play Store). RevenueCat receives only your anonymous policy identifier and subscription status. It does not receive personal information.

Each provider's privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policies.

Data Retention

  • DNS Queries (Essential/Stream): Not retained (processed in real-time only)
  • Dashboard Analytics Data (Analyze/Full): 90 days, then automatically deleted
  • Filter Configurations: Retained as long as the device token is active
  • Device Metadata: Device model and brand are retained as long as the device is active in your policy
  • Device Recovery Hashes: Retained as long as the associated policy is active; deleted when the policy is destroyed
  • Security Logs: Anomalous request logs are retained for up to 30 days for abuse prevention
  • Website Analytics: Subject to analytics provider retention settings, if enabled

Your Rights

Although ClearDNS minimizes personal data collection, we respect your right to control your data:

  • You can regenerate your device token at any time to disassociate from previous configurations
  • You can delete optional query logs and analytics data at any time
  • You can request deletion of all data associated with your policy identifier by contacting us
  • You can stop using our service at any time by removing the DNS configuration from your device

If you are located in the European Economic Area, you may have additional rights under the GDPR, including the right to access, rectification, erasure, and data portability of any personal data we hold. While ClearDNS is designed to minimize personal data processing, we will respond to valid data subject requests. Contact us at contact@cleardns.io.

Children's Privacy

ClearDNS does not knowingly collect any personal information from anyone, including children under 13. Our service is designed to protect families, including children, without requiring or storing any personal data.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post any changes on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, you can reach us at contact@cleardns.io.

By using ClearDNS, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.