Privacy notice
Last updated 19 October 2026
This explains what NodeGuard knows about you during the open beta, and what it can't know. It's a beta notice and will be expanded before we leave beta.
What we can't see
Files you store are encrypted on your own device before they're sent, and so are their names. We don't have the keys, so we can't read them, and neither can the people whose machines hold the pieces.
What we collect
- When you join the beta on our website: your name, email, and what you tell us: how you'd like to take part, your type of machine and space, your town, your company and message if you add them, and any invite code.
- When you use the app: your email (to sign in), your workspace and team settings, how much space you use, and a record of actions in your workspace (for example "file uploaded") so you can see who did what.
- When you share space: your name, email and payout choice, your machine's name, how much space it offers, the town you choose, how reliably it's online and the results of its checks, and the internet address it connects from. We use the address to spread pieces across different homes and to stop one person posing as many.
- To improve compression: the app can send anonymous numbers such as "a PDF shrank by 30%". These never include names, contents or who you are, and you can switch them off in Settings.
Why we use it
To run the beta and the service you asked for, to keep it safe and fair, to pay people who share space, and to contact you about your sign-up and the beta. We rely on our legitimate interest in running and improving NodeGuard, and on our contract with you when you use the service. We don't sell your details, and we don't send marketing you haven't asked for.
Who helps us
- Vultr, which runs our servers (in London and Manchester).
- Supabase, which sends sign-in emails.
- Stripe, for card payments and for paying people who share space, when those are switched on. Stripe collects bank details directly; we never see them.
How long we keep it
Beta sign-up details are kept until the beta ends and for 12 months after, unless you ask us to delete them sooner. Account details are kept while you have an account. Payment records are kept as long as the law requires.
Your rights
You can ask to see, correct or delete the personal details we hold about you, or object to how we use them. Contact us using the form on our home page. If you're unhappy with how we've handled your details, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.