Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to USCIS Case Tracker ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in an open and transparent manner. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Receipt Numbers: USCIS case receipt numbers you enter to check case status
• Email Address: If you choose to create an account or subscribe to notifications (optional)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Search timestamps, IP address, browser type, device information
• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device (see Cookie Policy below)
• Analytics: Aggregate usage statistics to improve our service

2.3 Information from USCIS API

We retrieve case status information from the official USCIS Case Status API based on the receipt numbers you provide. This data is displayed to you but we do not permanently storepersonal information such as names, addresses, or case details from the API response.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

• Providing case status lookup services via USCIS API
• Improving our service and user experience
• Analyzing usage patterns and trends (anonymized)
• Preventing fraud and abuse
• Complying with legal obligations
• Sending service notifications (if you opted in)

4. Data Retention

Search History: Receipt numbers and search metadata are automatically deleted after 30 days.

USCIS API Data: Case status information retrieved from USCIS is not permanently stored on our servers. It is displayed to you in real-time and cached temporarily (up to 24 hours) to reduce API calls.

Analytics Data: Anonymized aggregate statistics may be retained indefinitely for service improvement.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do NOT sell your personal information. We may share data with:

5.1 Service Providers

• Vercel: Hosting and infrastructure provider
• USCIS API: Official government API for case status retrieval

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request.

6. Cookie Policy

We use cookies for:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality
• Analytics Cookies: To understand how you use our service (anonymized)
• Preference Cookies: To remember your settings and choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

7. Your Privacy Rights

7.1 California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect, use, and share
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we don't sell data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

7.2 All Users

• Access: Request a copy of your data
• Correction: Update inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format

To exercise these rights, contact us at: xinen8721@gmail.com

8. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure API key storage (environment variables, never in code)
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Minimal data retention (30-day automatic deletion)

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to individuals under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

10. International Users

Our service is hosted in the United States. If you access our service from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the U.S. By using our service, you consent to this transfer.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

Continued use of our service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

13. Third-Party Links

Our service may contain links to third-party websites (including official USCIS websites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.