Privacy Policy

Who operates NetBlocker

NetBlocker is developed and operated by Hugo Fernandes in Portugal. For privacy questions or requests, use the contact form on the NetBlocker website.

What stays on your Mac

The apps you block, their bundle and signing identities, discovered helpers, XPC services, executable components, related process information, and your blocking rules are stored locally. NetBlocker does not upload this information to us.

NetBlocker makes allow-or-block decisions using Apple's Network Extension framework. It does not inspect, record, or transmit the contents of your network traffic, such as web pages, messages, files, or passwords.

Information the licensing service uses

To start and enforce the seven-day trial, prevent a reinstall from resetting it, activate a purchase, and periodically validate a license, NetBlocker sends the following limited data to our licensing service:

• a random installation identifier generated by the app;
• the installed NetBlocker version and trial or validation timestamps;
• when activating a purchase, the license key and purchase email you enter; and
• the activation instance identifier returned by Lemon Squeezy.

Before the installation identifier is stored in our database, it is transformed into a salted cryptographic hash. License keys are also stored only as salted hashes. The purchase email and full license key are used during validation with Lemon Squeezy and are not stored in the NetBlocker licensing database. The database stores hashed identifiers, activation state, timestamps, app version, and the Lemon Squeezy instance identifier.

These records can also produce basic aggregate product statistics, such as the number of unique trial installations and versions in use. They never contain the apps you block, process names, blocking rules, destinations, or traffic contents.

Website, downloads, and update checks

The NetBlocker website does not use advertising trackers or analytics cookies. The website, downloads, licensing service, and update file are delivered through Cloudflare. Like most hosting providers, Cloudflare may process routine request information such as IP address, user agent, requested URL, approximate location, and security signals to deliver and protect the service.

We may use aggregate request counts to understand website visits and downloads. A download is not treated as proof that the app was installed.

Purchases and support messages

Purchases are processed by Lemon Squeezy, our merchant of record. Lemon Squeezy handles payment, billing, tax, and purchase information under its own privacy policy. We receive the information needed to provide and validate your license.

If you use the website contact form, Formspree processes the name, email address, message, and technical information needed to prevent abuse and deliver the message to us. We use those details only to respond, provide support, and keep a reasonable record of the conversation.

Why we use this information

• to provide the trial and enforce its duration;
• to activate, validate, and transfer paid licenses;
• to deliver downloads, update checks, and security protections;
• to understand aggregate adoption and app-version usage; and
• to answer support, privacy, and product enquiries.

Depending on the context, these uses are necessary to provide the requested service or purchase, support our legitimate interest in operating and securing NetBlocker, or meet legal obligations.

Service providers and international processing

We rely on Cloudflare for hosting and security, Lemon Squeezy for purchases and license operations, and Formspree for the contact form. Their processing may involve countries outside your own, subject to their safeguards and applicable law. We do not sell personal information or share it for targeted advertising.

Retention and security

Trial records are retained to prevent repeated trials. License records are retained while needed to operate, validate, transfer, or defend the license and comply with legal obligations. Support messages are kept only as long as reasonably needed for support and record-keeping. Hosting and security logs are retained according to the applicable provider settings and policies.

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards, including cryptographic hashing for stored installation and license identifiers. No online service can guarantee absolute security.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, object to, or receive a copy of personal information, and to complain to your local data-protection authority. Use the contact form to make a request. We may need enough information to verify that the request relates to you. Some records may need to be retained where required by law or necessary to prevent trial abuse and protect legitimate claims.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the product or its supporting services change. The effective date above will be updated, and material changes will be highlighted on the website or in the app when appropriate.