Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to the LinkedIn Profile Analyzer ("Service"), operated by HookTide ("we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in an open and transparent manner. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Service.

By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 LinkedIn Profile Data

When you submit a LinkedIn profile URL for analysis, we collect and process the following publicly available information:

• Profile owner name
• Professional headline
• About/summary section
• Work experience and job history
• Sample of public posts (if available)
• Any other publicly visible profile information

Important: We only access publicly available information from LinkedIn profiles. We do not require or store LinkedIn login credentials, and we cannot access private or restricted profile information.

2.2 Contact Form Data

When you submit a message through our contact form, we collect:

• Your name
• Your email address
• The content of your message

2.3 Analysis Reports

We store the following information about generated reports:

• Profile data submitted for analysis
• AI-generated analysis results and recommendations
• Report creation timestamp
• Report expiration date (reports are automatically deleted after 30 days)
• Unique report identifier for access

2.4 Analytics and Usage Data

We use Google Analytics and X (Twitter) tracking to collect information about how you interact with our Service, including:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website
• IP address (anonymized)
• Device information
• General geographic location (country/city level)
• Conversion events (e.g., when you request a profile analysis)

2.5 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Service. Cookies are files with a small amount of data that may include an anonymous unique identifier. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our Service: Processing LinkedIn profile data to generate AI-powered analysis reports
• To improve our Service: Understanding how users interact with our platform to enhance user experience
• To communicate with you: Responding to your inquiries submitted through our contact form
• To monitor usage: Analyzing trends, tracking user engagement, and gathering demographic information
• To detect and prevent issues: Identifying technical problems, preventing abuse, and ensuring security
• To comply with legal obligations: Meeting regulatory requirements and responding to legal requests

4. Data Storage and Retention

4.1 Database Storage

We store analysis reports and associated profile data in a secure PostgreSQL database. This data includes:

• Profile information submitted for analysis
• Generated analysis results
• Report metadata (creation date, expiration date, unique ID)

4.2 Automatic Deletion

All analysis reports are automatically deleted from our database 30 days after creation. After this period, neither you nor we can access the report or associated data.

4.3 Contact Form Data

Messages submitted through our contact form are sent via email and are not stored in our database. These messages are retained in our email system according to standard email retention practices.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We share your information with the following third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Service:

• Large Language Model (LLM) Provider: For AI-powered profile analysis. Profile data is sent to third-party AI services for processing.
• Google Analytics: For website analytics and usage tracking.
• X (Twitter): For advertising conversion tracking. We use X's tracking pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns on X. This helps us understand when users who saw our ads on X subsequently use our Service.

These service providers have access to your information only to perform specific tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).

5.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

5.4 No Sale of Personal Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using HTTPS/SSL
• Secure database storage with access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information by employees and contractors

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. GDPR Compliance (European Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

7.1 Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: When you submit a LinkedIn profile URL for analysis, you consent to our processing of that publicly available data.
• Legitimate Interests: We process analytics data based on our legitimate interest in improving our Service and understanding user behavior.
• Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide the Service you requested.

7.2 Your GDPR Rights

Under GDPR, you have the following rights:

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

7.3 Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the EEA, including the United States. We ensure that such transfers comply with GDPR requirements through appropriate safeguards, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy decisions by the European Commission
• Service providers' compliance with applicable data protection frameworks

7.4 Data Protection Officer

For GDPR-related inquiries or to exercise your rights, please contact us using the contact information provided in Section 12.

7.5 Automated Decision-Making

Our Service uses AI to analyze LinkedIn profiles and generate recommendations. This is an automated process, but it does not involve automated decision-making that produces legal effects or similarly significantly affects you. The analysis is provided for informational purposes only.

8. Your Privacy Choices

8.1 Opting Out of Analytics

You can opt out of Google Analytics and X (Twitter) tracking by:

• Installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Configuring your browser to block or delete cookies
• Using browser privacy features or extensions
• Adjusting your X (Twitter) privacy settings to opt out of interest-based advertising

8.2 Deleting Your Report

All reports are automatically deleted after 30 days. If you wish to have your report deleted sooner, please contact us with your report ID.

8.3 Do Not Track Signals

We currently do not respond to Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals. However, you can control tracking through the methods described above.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information from our systems.

10. International Users

Our Service is operated from the United States. If you are accessing our Service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those of your country.

By using our Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside of your country of residence, which may have different data protection rules than your country.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy
• For material changes, providing a prominent notice on our Service

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

12. Contact Us

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

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days of receipt.

13. Additional Information

13.1 LinkedIn Disclaimer

HookTide and the LinkedIn Profile Analyzer are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or officially connected with LinkedIn Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. LinkedIn is a registered trademark of LinkedIn Corporation in the United States and other countries.

13.2 Public Information Only

Our Service only accesses and analyzes publicly available LinkedIn profile information. We do not access private messages, connection lists, or any information that requires LinkedIn authentication or is restricted to specific audiences.

13.3 AI-Generated Content

The analysis and recommendations provided by our Service are generated by artificial intelligence and should be used for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated content may contain errors or subjective interpretations. Users should exercise their own judgment when implementing suggestions.