Privacy Policy

ClearwayPDF (“we”, “our”, “us”) operates https://clearwaypdf.com — a free, browser-based PDF editor. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our service.

By using ClearwayPDF, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you disagree, please discontinue use of the site.

All PDF processing happens entirely in your browser. Editing, merging, compressing, splitting, converting, signing, watermarking, OCR, and password-protecting are performed using client-side JavaScript (pdf-lib, PDF.js, Tesseract.js). Your files are never transmitted to our servers or any third party.

We have no technical ability to access your documents because they never reach us. Closing the browser tab discards everything permanently.

We collect the minimum data necessary to operate and improve the service:

ClearwayPDF does not set first-party cookies for tracking or analytics. We use server-side analytics that requires no cookies.

Advertising cookies may be set by Google AdSense. If you visit from the EEA, the UK or Switzerland, a consent message from Google (a certified consent management platform) asks for your choice first. If you decline, Google may still show non-personalised or limited ads, which use cookies only for purposes such as frequency capping and fraud prevention.

You can change or withdraw your choice at any time: Change cookie choices

ClearwayPDF displays advertisements via Google AdSense (Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA). Ads help keep the service free for everyone.

Google and its partners may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your previous visits to this and other websites. For visitors in the EEA, UK and Switzerland, personalised ads are only served with consent given through Google’s consent message (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)).

You can opt out of personalised advertising at any time:

• Google Ads Settings ↗
• Network Advertising Initiative opt-out ↗
• How Google uses data from partner sites ↗

• Analytics events — retained for up to 12 months, then deleted from our servers.
• Feedback submissions — retained indefinitely unless you request deletion (contact us with your submission date and approximate time).
• Support email — retained as long as necessary to resolve your enquiry, then deleted.
• Cookie consent choice — stored by Google’s consent platform in a cookie in your browser; cleared when you clear site data.

Under GDPR (EEA/UK) and equivalent laws worldwide, you have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
• Erasure — request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”).
• Rectification — request correction of inaccurate data.
• Portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection — object to processing based on legitimate interest.
• Restriction — request that we limit processing of your data.
• Withdraw consent — withdraw advertising cookie consent at any time without affecting prior processing.

Because ClearwayPDF collects no personal identifiers (no account, no login, no name, no email unless you contact us), we are unable to link analytics records to individuals. Requests related to anonymous data may not be fulfillable. Contact us for assistance.

ClearwayPDF is not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us immediately and we will delete it without delay.

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We do not share data beyond what is described in this policy. The only third party with access to data derived from your visit is Google LLC and its advertising partners, as described in the advertising section above.

We may disclose data if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or property of ClearwayPDF, its users, or others.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.