PRIVACY POLICY - DESKTOP APPLICATION ADDENDUM
AdBlock360 for Windows

Effective Date: November 11, 2025

ABOUT THIS ADDENDUM

This Desktop Application Addendum provides additional details specific to the AdBlock360 Windows desktop application and supplements our Core Privacy Policy.

This addendum covers:

Desktop application data collection
Local data storage and encryption
Browser integration methods
Update mechanisms
Error reporting

1. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS & COMPATIBILITY

1.1 Minimum Requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 version 1709 or newer (64-bit)
Processor: x86-64 compatible processor
RAM: 4 GB minimum
Disk Space: 100 MB
Internet: Required for initial activation and updates

1.2 Browser Compatibility

Our application works with ALL browsers through network-level filtering:

Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Brave, etc.
No browser extensions required
System-wide ad blocking via network driver

2. LOCAL DATA STORAGE

2.1 Storage Location

Primary Application Data:

Path: `C:\ProgramData\AdBlock360\`
Purpose: Application configuration and operational data

User Credentials:

Location: Windows Credential Manager (separate from application)
Purpose: Secure storage of authentication tokens

2.2 Data Stored Locally

Data Type	Location	Encryption	Purpose
User preferences	ProgramData	No	Settings configuration
Filter lists cache	ProgramData	No	Ad blocking rules
Update cache	ProgramData	No	Application updates
Error logs	ProgramData	No	Troubleshooting
Certificate database	ProgramData	Yes (DPAPI)	License validation
Account token	Credential Manager	Yes (DPAPI)	Authentication

2.3 Encryption Details

Sensitive Data Protection:

Method: Windows Data Protection API (DPAPI)
Applies to: Certificate database, authentication tokens
Column/Key Scrambling: Database structure obfuscated

Non-Sensitive Data:

Filter lists, preferences, logs: Not encrypted
Rationale: No personal information contained

3. DATA COLLECTION

3.1 Installation & Activation

During Installation:

System information (Windows version, architecture)
Available disk space
Installation path chosen
Installation completion status

During Activation:

Hardware ID (HWID) for license binding
Account credentials (if premium)
Activation timestamp
Device nickname (optional)

3.2 Runtime Data Collection

Performance Metrics:

Ads blocked count
Pages processed
Filter update success/failure
Application uptime

Technical Data:

Application version
Windows version
Available memory
Network adapter information

3.3 What We DON'T Collect

Browsing history

Websites visited
Personal files
Network traffic content
Passwords

4. BROWSER INTEGRATION

4.1 Network Driver Method

How It Works:

Installs network filter driver
Operates at system level
Intercepts network requests before browser
No browser modification required

Privacy Benefits:

No access to browser data
No browsing history collection
Works with all browsers equally
Cannot read browser passwords or cookies

4.2 Certificate Management

SSL/TLS Inspection:

Optional feature for HTTPS filtering
Local certificate created (never leaves device)
User must explicitly enable
Can be disabled anytime

5. ERROR REPORTING

5.1 Sentry.io Integration

Default Setting: OPT-OUT (Enabled by default)

Error reporting is enabled to improve stability
Can be disabled in Settings > Privacy
No personal information included
Anonymous crash reports only

5.2 Data Collected in Error Reports

Automatic Collection (if enabled):

Error message and stack trace
Application version
Windows version
Available memory
Time of error

NOT Included:

Personal information
Browsing data
Account details
File paths with usernames

5.3 Managing Error Reporting

To Disable:

Open AdBlock360
Go to Settings > Privacy
Uncheck "Send anonymous error reports"
Changes apply immediately

Data Retention:

Error reports retained for 90 days
Aggregated statistics kept longer
Individual reports auto-deleted

6. UPDATE MECHANISM

6.1 Automatic Updates

Default: Enabled (can be disabled)

Update Process:

Checks for updates daily
Downloads in background
Silent automatic installation
Updates cannot be postponed

Update Server:

Hosted on AWS CloudFront
HTTPS only
Digital signature verification

6.2 Update Data Collection

During Update Check:

Current version number
Windows version
Update channel (stable/beta)
Last update timestamp

Privacy:

No personal information sent
Anonymous statistics only
Cannot identify individual users

6.3 Managing Updates

To Disable Automatic Updates:

Settings > Updates > Uncheck "Automatic updates"
Manual update check still available
Not recommended (security risks)

7. LICENSE VALIDATION

7.1 Free vs Premium

Free Version:

No license required
Anonymous usage
Core features only
No account needed

Premium Version:

License key required
Tied to account
Hardware ID validation

7.2 Hardware ID (HWID)

What's Collected:

Windows MachineGUID from registry
Path: `HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\MachineGUID`
Generated by Windows, unique per installation

Purpose:

Prevent license sharing
Device management
Support troubleshooting

Privacy:

One-way hash
Cannot identify you personally
Only used for license validation

8. TELEMETRY & ANALYTICS

8.1 Application Telemetry

Anonymous Usage Statistics:

Features used
Performance metrics
Error frequency
Update success rate

Opt-Out Available:

Settings > Privacy > Disable telemetry
Applies immediately
Reduces our ability to improve

8.2 What's NOT Tracked

Websites you visit
Content you view
Personal files
Network passwords
Other applications

9. UNINSTALLATION

9.1 Data Removal

Automatic Removal:

Application files
Network driver
Registry entries
Account credentials in Credential Manager
Error logs (if any)

9.2 Account Impact

Desktop uninstall doesn't delete account
Premium license remains valid
Can reinstall and reactivate
Account deletion separate process

10. PLATFORM-SPECIFIC RIGHTS

10.1 Data Access

Local Data:

Accessible at `C:\ProgramData\AdBlock360\`
Preferences in readable format
Logs in text format

Account Data:

Request via privacy@adblock360.com
Includes all server-side data

10.2 Data Portability

Export Options:

Settings: File > Export Settings
Filter lists: Manually copyable
Account data: Via email request

10.3 Support

Desktop-Specific Support:

In-app: Help > Support
Email: support@adblock360.com
Knowledge base: https://support.adblock360.com

11. SECURITY FEATURES

11.1 Application Security

Code Signing: Digitally signed executable
Integrity Checks: Tamper detection
Secure Updates: Signature verification
Process Isolation: Sandboxed operations

11.2 Network Security

HTTPS Only: For all server communication
Certificate Pinning: Prevents MITM attacks
Encrypted Channels: For sensitive operations

12. THIRD-PARTY COMPONENTS

12.1 Open Source Libraries

We use various open-source components:

List available at: About > Open Source Licenses
No additional data collection
Subject to their own licenses

12.2 Windows APIs

System APIs Used:

Windows Filtering Platform (WFP)
Data Protection API (DPAPI)
Windows Credential Manager
Windows Update Service

13. COMPLIANCE NOTICES

13.1 GDPR (EU/UK)

Local processing where possible
Minimal data collection
Privacy by design
User control over telemetry

13.2 CCPA (California)

No sale of personal information
Telemetry opt-out available
Data deletion upon request

13.3 Age Restrictions

Not intended for children under 16 (EU), 14 (South Korea), or 13 (US & other regions)
No parental control features
Business and personal use only

14. CONTACT INFORMATION