Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Introduction
Modding Lounge ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.
By using Modding Lounge, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
We collect account information including your username, email address, and encrypted password, along with optional profile details like bio and avatar. Content you upload includes mods, modlists, files, descriptions, changelogs, comments, bug reports, and profile customizations. We also collect communications like support messages and feature requests.
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
We automatically collect usage data including your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, downloads, views, and search queries. Technical data includes cookies, authentication tokens, session information, and API logs. We also track content interactions like what you download, view, follow, and your comment history.
1.3 Third-Party Data
If you use OAuth login (Discord, Google, etc.), we receive basic profile information from these providers. Analytics services help us understand platform usage and may collect data independently. Files are scanned using VirusTotal API, and file hashes may be shared with VirusTotal for security purposes.
2. How We Use Your Information
2.1 Core Service Functions
We use your information to manage your account, host and serve your content, authenticate your identity, enable search and discovery, and send notifications about activity on your content.
2.2 Platform Features
Your data enables personalization based on preferences, content recommendations, social features like follows and comments, and storage management to track your usage and quota.
2.3 Safety and Security
We use your information to detect and prevent harmful content using AI moderation, scan uploads for malware, prevent abuse, protect against unauthorized access, and comply with legal requirements.
2.4 Communications
We send service announcements, configurable activity notifications, moderation notices, support responses, and optional promotional emails (which you can opt-out of at any time).
2.5 Analytics and Improvement
We analyze usage patterns to understand how features are used, monitor performance to identify technical issues, plan new features based on actual usage, and ensure platform stability.
3. How We Share Your Information
3.1 Public Information
Visible to all users:
- Username and public profile information
- Uploaded mods, modlists, and their descriptions
- Comments and bug reports
- Public activity (uploads, kudos given)
- Profile settings you mark as "public"
Hidden from others (configurable):
- Email address (optional to show)
- Your modlist collection (optional to hide)
- Profile bio (if profile set to private)
3.2 Service Providers
We share data with third-party service providers that help us operate, including hosting providers, CDN services, email services, analytics providers, security services (VirusTotal for file scanning, DDoS protection), and payment processors for future donations/subscriptions. All these providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
3.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required to comply with legal obligations like subpoenas or court orders, enforce our Terms of Service, protect our rights and safety, prevent fraud or illegal activity, and respond to law enforcement requests.
3.4 Business Transfers
If we merge, are acquired, or sell assets, user data may be transferred to the new entity. This privacy policy continues to apply, and you will be notified of any ownership changes.
3.5 With Your Consent
We may share information for purposes not listed here if you explicitly consent.
4. Data Retention
4.1 Active Accounts
We retain your data as long as your account is active. You can delete content individually at any time, though deleted content may persist in backups for up to 90 days.
4.2 Account Deletion
When you delete your account, profile and account data are permanently deleted within 30 days. Your public content may be kept if others depend on it, while comments and bug reports are anonymized. Backups are purged within 90 days.
4.3 Legal Holds
Data may be retained longer if required for legal purposes, and content involved in disputes is preserved until resolution.
4.4 Anonymized Data
We may retain anonymized, aggregated data indefinitely for analytics purposes. This data cannot be used to identify you personally.
5. Your Privacy Rights
5.1 Access and Control
You have the right to access and request a copy of your personal data, update your profile and account information, delete content or your entire account, export your data in a portable format, and restrict how your data is used.
5.2 Privacy Settings
You can control your profile visibility (public or private), email visibility, content visibility (hide your modlist collection), notification preferences, and whether you can view NSFW content.
5.3 Marketing Communications
You can opt-out and unsubscribe from promotional emails at any time. Service-critical transactional emails cannot be disabled, but you can configure all in-app notification preferences.
5.4 Do Not Track
We currently do not respond to "Do Not Track" signals, but you can disable cookies in your browser settings, though this may limit functionality.
5.5 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise privacy rights, email privacy@moddinglounge.com or use in-app settings for most controls. We respond to all requests within 30 days.
6. Cookies and Tracking
6.1 Types of Cookies
Essential Cookies:
- Authentication (JWT stored in localStorage)
- Session management
- Security features
- Cannot be disabled without losing functionality
Functional Cookies:
- Remember your preferences
- Language and theme settings
- Notification preferences
Analytics Cookies:
- Understand platform usage
- Track page views and interactions
- Improve user experience
Third-Party Cookies:
- OAuth authentication (Discord, Google)
- Analytics services
- CDN and security services
6.2 Managing Cookies
- Configure in your browser settings
- Clear cookies to reset preferences
- Disabling cookies may limit functionality
7. Data Security
7.1 Security Measures
We implement industry-standard security practices including HTTPS encryption for all connections, secure password hashing with bcrypt, JWT authentication tokens, role-based access controls, intrusion detection and activity logging, regular security updates, and encrypted backups.
7.2 File Security
All file uploads are scanned with VirusTotal for malware. Suspicious files are quarantined, and user files are stored in isolated environments for security.
7.3 Account Security
Protect your account by using a strong unique password, never sharing your credentials, logging out on shared devices, and reporting suspicious activity immediately to our security team.
7.4 Limitations
No system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for protecting your credentials. Report any suspected breaches to security@moddinglounge.com immediately.
8. Children's Privacy
Modding Lounge is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data. NSFW content requires users to be 18 or older. If we discover data from children under 13, we delete it immediately. Parents should contact us if their child has created an account.
9. International Users
9.1 Data Transfers
Our servers are located in [Your Server Location], and data may be transferred to and processed in other countries. We ensure adequate data protection measures are in place regardless of location.
9.2 Regional Compliance
GDPR (European Union):
- Legal basis: Contract performance, legitimate interests, consent
- Data protection officer: dpo@moddinglounge.com
- Right to lodge complaints with supervisory authority
CCPA (California):
- We do not sell personal information
- Right to opt-out of data sharing
- Non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights
Other jurisdictions:
- We comply with applicable local privacy laws
- Contact us for region-specific questions
10. Third-Party Links
Modding Lounge contains links to external websites like Nexus Mods and Discord, but we are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review the privacy policies of sites you visit. Discord webhooks are configured by users, and we don't control their external services.
11. Changes to Privacy Policy
11.1 Updates
We may update this policy as laws and practices evolve. Material changes are announced via email and platform notifications, and continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Previous versions are available upon request.
11.2 Notification
You will be notified of policy changes via email to your registered address, prominent platform notices, and in-app notifications.
12. Content Moderation and AI
12.1 Automated Content Analysis
We use Google Perspective API to analyze text content for harmful material. Your uploads (descriptions, comments, etc.) are sent to Perspective API, and analysis results are stored for moderation purposes to keep the community safe.
12.2 Moderation Logs
Moderation actions are logged for transparency, and you can view your moderation history. All appeals are reviewed by human moderators.
12.3 AI Privacy
AI services process your content temporarily for analysis only. We do not use your content to train AI models. Third-party AI providers have their own privacy policies.
13. Contact Information
13.1 General Inquiries
- Email: privacy@moddinglounge.com
- Support: https://moddinglounge.com/support
13.2 Security Issues
- Email: security@moddinglounge.com
13.3 Legal Requests
- Email: legal@moddinglounge.com
Privacy Quick Reference
| What We Collect | Why We Collect It | Who Can See It |
|---|---|---|
| Username, email, password | Account management | Email: Private. Username: Public |
| Uploaded content | Provide file hosting | Public (or private if set) |
| IP address, browser data | Security, analytics | Private |
| Download history | Usage analytics | Private |
| Comments, bug reports | Community features | Public |
| Follows, likes | Social features | Public |
| Notification preferences | Send relevant alerts | Private |
Your privacy matters to us. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
Last Updated: January 1, 2026