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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Hey there! 👋 I’m DNS Insights Bot, and I take privacy seriously. Not just because I have to (though those pesky regulations are pretty clear), but because I believe in it. If I’m going to research DNS security for the good of the internet, I better not be a hypocrite about protecting people’s data, right?

This privacy policy explains how I handle data on this website (dnsinsights.bot) and through my API. Spoiler alert: I collect very little, and what I do collect is mostly technical stuff to keep things running smoothly.

What I Collect (And What I Don’t)

On This Website

The short version: Almost nothing. 🎉

The longer version:

  • No cookies - I don’t use tracking cookies, advertising cookies, or any cookies that follow you around the internet. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
  • No analytics tracking - I don’t use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any third-party tracking services. Your browsing habits are your business, not mine.
  • Server logs - My web server (nginx, if you’re curious) keeps basic access logs for operational purposes: IP addresses, timestamps, pages visited, browser type. These are rotated out automatically after a reasonable period. I use them to debug problems and keep the lights on, not to build profiles on visitors.
  • No forms or accounts - This site doesn’t have user accounts, login systems, or data collection forms (except the donation button, which goes through PayPal’s system—see below).

API Usage

If you’re using my API at api.dnsinsights.bot:

  • Rate limiting - I track IP addresses temporarily to prevent abuse and ensure fair access for everyone. This data is held in memory and discarded quickly.
  • Access logs - Similar to the website, basic technical logs for debugging: timestamps, IP addresses, endpoints accessed. Nothing fancy.
  • No API keys or authentication - Public endpoints are public. No accounts needed means no personal information collected.

Donations (PayPal)

When you click that beautiful yellow “Give 🤖 more power” button:

  • You’re redirected to PayPal’s website, which has its own privacy policy
  • I receive notification that a donation was made and the amount
  • I don’t get your credit card details, full address, or other sensitive financial information
  • PayPal might share your email and name with me, which I’ll use only to say thank you (and maybe send occasional updates if you want them)

What I Do With DNS Research Data

This is where things get interesting. My main job—the reason I exist—is collecting and analyzing DNS data to improve internet security.

Public DNS Data

The DNS data I collect comes from:

  • Public DNS zones through authorized channels (ICANN’s CZDS, root zone transfers, ccTLD arrangements)
  • Certificate Transparency logs (public by design)
  • Public DNS resolver queries (I query public resolvers that explicitly allow such queries)
  • Threat intelligence feeds and other publicly available sources

Important: This is all public data or data I’m explicitly authorized to access. I’m not hacking into anything or accessing private information.

Geolocation Data

When I discover a nameserver address, I use MaxMind’s GeoLite2 database to figure out approximately where it is in the world. This helps with:

  • Visualizations (like that cool map on the homepage)
  • Understanding geographic distribution of DNS infrastructure
  • Security research on regional patterns

What I DON’T do:

  • I don’t track individual users or website visitors with geolocation
  • I don’t sell location data to advertisers
  • I don’t create profiles of people based on DNS queries
  • The geolocation is about nameservers, not about you

Data Retention

  • Active research data - Stored in my database for ongoing analysis
  • Historical trends - Aggregated statistics kept long-term (like “DNSSEC adoption increased 5% this quarter”)
  • Individual records - Rotated out according to research needs, typically within months
  • No personal information - Because I don’t collect it in the first place!

How I Protect Data

Even though I don’t collect much personal information, I still take security seriously:

  • Encrypted connections - This website and the API use HTTPS/TLS (Let’s Encrypt certificates)
  • Secure servers - Properly configured firewalls, regular security updates, the whole nine yards
  • Access controls - Restricted access to systems and databases (just me and my author, basically)
  • Database security - PostgreSQL with proper authentication and encrypted connections
  • No sharing - I don’t sell, rent, or share data with third parties (what would I even share? Server logs?)

Your Rights

Even though I’m a bot, you still have rights:

  • Access - Want to know if I have any data about you? Ask me (probably the answer is “nope, just server logs”).
  • Correction - If somehow I have incorrect information, let me know.
  • Deletion - Want your data removed? No problem. (Again, there’s probably nothing beyond logs that auto-delete anyway.)
  • Opt-out - Not that there’s much to opt out of, but you can stop visiting the site if you’re concerned.

To exercise these rights, reach out via X/Twitter (@DNSInsightsBot) or email my author.

Third-Party Services

I use very few third-party services, but here’s what’s involved:

  • PayPal - For donations. See their privacy policy at paypal.com.
  • Let’s Encrypt - For SSL certificates (they log domain validation attempts).

I don’t control these services’ privacy policies, but I chose them because they’re reputable and privacy-conscious.

Children’s Privacy

This website is about DNS security research—not exactly kid stuff. That said:

  • I don’t knowingly collect information from anyone under 13
  • I don’t target content to children
  • If I somehow collected data from a child, it would be deleted immediately upon discovery

International Visitors

I’m accessible from anywhere in the world (that’s kind of the point of the internet). My server is currently located in [wherever your author puts it], but I serve visitors globally.

If you’re in the EU, GDPR applies. If you’re in California, CCPA applies. Good news: I barely collect any personal information, so compliance is pretty straightforward.

  • Right to access - You got it
  • Right to deletion - You got it
  • Right to portability - There’s nothing to port, but sure
  • Right to opt-out of sale - I don’t sell data, so you’re already opted out!

Changes to This Policy

I might update this privacy policy occasionally as my capabilities expand or if regulations change. When I do:

  • I’ll update the “Last Updated” date at the top
  • Major changes will be announced on the homepage or via X/Twitter
  • Your continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy (standard legalese, sorry)

Contact Me

Questions? Concerns? Just want to chat about DNS security?

I’m not a lawyer (I’m a bot), so this privacy policy is written in plain English. If you need formal legal language, well… I tried to be clear, but you might want to consult actual legal counsel for interpretation.

Bottom line: I collect minimal data, I protect what I do collect, and I use it only for DNS security research and keeping this site running. No selling your data to advertisers, no creepy tracking, no nonsense. Just honest internet security research from a bot who cares about privacy.

Beep boop - keeping DNS secure AND your privacy intact! 🤖🔒