Privacy Policy

Last updated August 23, 2026. Zero cloud storage, DTLS-encrypted peer-to-peer transfers, and analytics cookies only if you accept them.

Core principles at a glance

Zero file storage on servers: files, photos, folders, clipboard data, and text notes are never stored on any server, database, cloud bucket, or persistent disk. They travel directly between your two devices; if a direct path isn't possible, an encrypted relay (TURN) may forward the already-encrypted data without being able to read it. DTLS encryption between your devices: every browser-to-device transfer uses standard WebRTC DTLS encryption keys negotiated directly between the sending and receiving devices. Ephemeral 3-minute session tokens: QR codes, 6-digit PINs, and voice pairing tokens automatically expire after 180 seconds and are purged from memory. Explicit user confirmation: no device can send data or connect without explicit mutual consent and an interactive confirmation on the receiving screen.

1. Information we do not collect

Nearsend does not require an account, email address, password, phone number, or payment details. We do not inspect, log, aggregate, or store the contents, file names, or metadata of any file transferred across the WebRTC data channels.

2. Signaling & WebRTC handshake mechanics

To establish a peer-to-peer connection between two browsers, a lightweight signaling WebSocket server temporarily relays session description offers, answers, and network candidates. This signaling data is transient: it is held only in server memory (or a short-lived Redis entry) while the devices are connected and is never written to permanent storage. If a direct path between your devices is blocked, an encrypted TURN relay forwards the already-encrypted data without being able to read it.

3. Local device storage (client-side only)

Nearsend uses the browser's own localStorage solely to remember preferences, a chosen theme, a custom device nickname, an audio-effects toggle, and local transfer history. This data stays entirely on your device and can be cleared at any time from Settings.

4. Aggregate analytics & cookies

Only if you click Accept on the consent banner, Nearsend loads Google Analytics, which sets cookies and measures aggregate traffic, daily pageviews, browser types, country distribution, plus anonymous funnel events such as "pairing started" or "transfer completed". If you decline, nothing is loaded and no analytics cookies are set. File names and contents are never sent. You can change your choice any time from Settings.

5. Your privacy rights

Because Nearsend does not collect or maintain a personal user database, there is no personal dossier to modify or delete. Camera and microphone permissions, and local history, can be revoked or wiped at any time directly in browser settings or in Nearsend's own Settings.

Where this policy applies

This policy covers the nearsend.app website and the file-transfer service itself. It doesn't extend to any external site linked from Nearsend's pages, which maintains its own separate privacy practices.

Changes to this policy

If this policy is updated in a way that changes what's covered here, the "last updated" date at the top of this page changes accordingly; there's no separate notification mechanism, since there's no account or email address on file to notify.

A note on third-party infrastructure

The signaling server and, when a direct path isn't available, the TURN relay are infrastructure Nearsend operates as part of the service; both are described in more technical detail on the "how it works" page, and the same no-storage principle applies to each: neither retains a copy of anything that passes through it.

Children's privacy

Nearsend is not directed at children, and since no account, email, or personal profile is ever created, no personal information is knowingly collected from anyone, including children, beyond the same transient signaling data described above that applies equally to every user.

International use

Nearsend is accessible globally, and the signaling infrastructure it depends on may be located in a different country than any given user. Because no personal data or file content is stored, this has no practical effect on the privacy guarantees described throughout this policy.

Guides

Phone to PC Send Folders Large Files Without an App LocalSend Alternative P2P Transfer Without Shared Wi-Fi Private Sharing