Privacy Policy
What information ViceMod collects, why, and the choices you have.
Last updated ·Version 1
This policy explains what information ViceMod collects, why, and what you can do about it. It describes how the site works today. When we launch features that handle new kinds of data — such as mod uploads, comments or ratings — we will update this policy before those features go live.
Who runs ViceMod#
ViceMod is operated by the operators of ViceMod, based in the jurisdiction where the operator is established. For anything related to your personal data, contact us through our contact form (topic: Privacy).
ViceMod is an independent community website. It is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive, and we do not share your information with them.
What we collect#
We try to collect as little as possible. Depending on how you use the site, that may include:
When you browse#
- Technical request data. Like almost every website, our servers and our network provider receive your IP address, browser user agent, the page you requested and the time of the request. This is used to deliver pages, keep the service secure and diagnose problems.
- No tracking or advertising. We do not currently use analytics tools, advertising networks, tracking pixels or social media widgets. Fonts are served from our own servers, so loading a page does not contact third-party font services.
When you create an account#
- Email address, username, display name and a securely hashed password. We never store your password in readable form.
- The date you joined, the date you last signed in, and which version of the Terms of Use and this Privacy Policy you accepted.
- Anything you choose to add to your profile.
Public registration may not be open at all times. Staff accounts are created by the operators.
When you contact us or submit a report#
- Contact form: your name, email address, subject and message.
- Content reports: the URL you report, your description, and optionally your email address. If you are signed in, the report is linked to your account.
- Copyright notices: the information the form asks for, including your name, email address, country, optional phone number and postal address, a description of the work, the reported URLs, the statements you accept and your typed signature.
For every form submission we also store a one-way hashed version of your IP address. We use it only to prevent spam and abuse of our forms; it cannot be turned back into your IP address.
Cookies#
We use a single cookie, and only if you sign in:
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
vm_session | Keeps you signed in. Essential for accounts to work. | Up to 30 days, or until you sign out |
Because this cookie is strictly necessary for a service you request, it does not require consent. If we ever introduce analytics or other non-essential cookies, we will ask for your consent first and give you a way to change your choice.
How we use information#
- To provide the website and your account.
- To keep ViceMod secure: preventing spam, abuse, fraud and attacks.
- To review and act on copyright notices and content reports.
- To respond when you contact us.
- To keep records of moderation decisions, which we need to run the platform fairly and to meet legal obligations.
- To comply with the law and respond to valid legal requests.
We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for advertising.
Legal bases (for users in the EEA and UK)#
- Contract: running your account and the services you ask for.
- Legitimate interests: security, abuse prevention, moderation and improving the site, balanced against your rights.
- Legal obligation: handling copyright notices and responding to lawful requests.
- Consent: only where we ask for it, and you can withdraw it at any time.
Who can see your information#
- Other users can see what you choose to make public, such as your username and display name.
- ViceMod staff (moderators and administrators) can see account details, reports and notices when it is needed for their role. Their access is limited by role and their moderation actions are logged.
- Service providers who run the infrastructure we depend on: our server hosting provider and Cloudflare, which sits in front of the site to deliver pages and block attacks. They process data on our behalf and only as needed to provide their service.
- Uploaders involved in a copyright case. We do not share a claimant's personal contact details with the uploader by default. Where a formal legal process requires it, we may share the information in the notice.
- Authorities, when we are legally required to.
How long we keep it#
- Accounts: for as long as the account exists. When you ask us to delete your account, we remove or anonymise its personal data unless we need to keep something for a legal reason.
- Contact messages and reports: for as long as needed to handle them, and then for a reasonable period in case of follow-up questions.
- Copyright notices and moderation records: kept separately from the content they concern, because we may need them to handle disputes, repeat infringement or legal claims. Removing content does not automatically delete the related records.
- Rate-limiting records: hashed identifiers deleted automatically after about a day.
- Server and security logs: kept only as long as needed for security and troubleshooting.
Your rights#
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- access the personal data we hold about you;
- correct inaccurate data;
- have your data deleted, or close your account;
- receive a copy of your data in a portable format;
- object to or restrict certain processing;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on it;
- complain to your local data protection authority.
To make a request, contact us through our contact form (topic: Privacy). We handle requests manually and may need to confirm your identity first. We will respond within the time the law requires.
International users#
ViceMod is available worldwide. Our service providers, including Cloudflare's global network, may process data in countries other than your own. Where the law requires it, we rely on appropriate safeguards for these transfers.
Children#
ViceMod is not intended for children. You must be at least 16 years old, or the minimum age of digital consent in your country if that is higher, to create an account. If you believe a child has given us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.
Security#
We protect data with measures including encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, hashed IP identifiers, role-based staff access and logging of administrative actions. No system is perfectly secure; if you find a security problem, please report it through our contact form (topic: Security).
Changes to this policy#
When we change this policy, we update the "Last updated" date at the top and keep previous versions on record. If a change significantly affects how we use your data, we will make it clear on the site and, where required, ask you to accept the new version.
Contact#
Privacy questions and requests: our contact form (topic: Privacy).