1. Introduction
AckerTech Studio ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use AckerTech Optimizer.
Because our software is designed to reduce Windows telemetry and protect your privacy, we hold ourselves to the same standard. AckerTech Optimizer does not use advertising trackers, general behaviour analytics, or automatic error reporting. Raw system diagnostics, scan result lists, hardware page details, and application logs stay on your PC.
AckerTech Optimizer does not collect, send, or use virtual machine status to block access to the Software. Running the app in a virtual machine is treated as a normal compatibility choice, not as a security event.
What we do sync to the cloud: Totals that power your profile, such as optimizations applied, disk space freed, app time, apps uninstalled, and counts of completed checks or cleans. We also send small progression events when a supported action can move a quest forward. These records keep your XP, level, quest assignments, progress, completion, and claims in sync across reinstalls. They are used to run AckerTech Optimizer, not for advertising. See Section 8 for full details.
2. Information We Collect
We collect minimal information necessary to provide and improve our services:
- Device Identifiers: When you open AckerTech Optimizer, we automatically store your hashed motherboard ID (HWID) to uniquely identify your device. This identifier cannot personally identify you, but we store it to ensure you never lose your optimization data, level, stats, license, etc.
- Account Information: When you sign into AckerTech Optimizer, we store your account ID linked to your hashed motherboard ID (HWID). This ensures that if you change computers, you can log in with the same account to recover all your data.
- Progression and Usage Totals: To power your XP, level, quests, and progress dashboard, we sync totals such as optimizations applied, disk space freed, app time, apps uninstalled, health tests, deep cleans, and completed quests. These records are tied to your device profile and to your account when you sign in. They are not used for advertising or general behaviour analytics.
- Quest Events: The server assigns daily and weekly quests. When a supported action can count toward one, AckerTech Optimizer sends the small set of IDs, action result, and progress amount needed to check and record it. The server also stores the assignment, progress, completion, claim, operation, and server-time records needed to reject invalid or repeated requests. We do not send the contents of files, scan result lists, restore points, or application logs with these events.
- Feedback & Bug Reports: When you submit feedback through Settings, we store the subject, message, your app version, premium tier, and a hashed device identifier. This helps us track and resolve issues. Sometimes, if the feedback is detailed and we successfully improve, fix, or release something you suggested, we will send you a 1-month license key linked to your motherboard ID (HWID) for helping improve AckerTech Optimizer!
- Purchase Information: When you purchase a premium license, your order ID, plan type, and email are stored alongside your license key. Payment details (card numbers, billing address) are handled entirely by our payment processor (LemonSqueezy) and are never stored on our servers.
- Discord Premium Trial: If you choose to claim the free 3-day Premium trial via Discord, we collect and store your Discord username, your Discord user ID (assigned by Discord, not chosen by you), and a record that your device has used this offer. A temporary 6-digit verification code is stored in our database for up to 5 minutes to complete identity verification, then permanently deleted. See Section 2a for full details on this feature.
2a. Discord Premium Trial - Data Details
The Discord Premium Trial is an optional one-time feature that lets you claim a free 3-day Premium license by verifying your Discord account membership in our server. Here is exactly what we collect, why, and how long we keep it:
- Discord Username: Collected when you enter it in the app. Used to look up your membership in the AckerTech Discord server via the Discord API. Stored permanently in your device record as proof of trial claim to prevent re-claiming the offer on the same device or Discord account.
- Discord User ID: Retrieved from the Discord API during membership lookup. Used solely to send you the verification DM. Not stored permanently after verification is complete.
- Verification Code: A cryptographically random 6-digit code generated server-side and stored in our database (
discord_pending_verifications) for a maximum of 5 minutes. Deleted immediately upon successful verification, failed expiry, or too many incorrect attempts. Never stored in plaintext logs. - Trial Claim Record: Once verified, your Discord username is stored permanently against your hashed device ID in our database. This is a one-time-per-device, one-time-per-Discord-account anti-fraud measure. It cannot be removed via "Delete My Data" (see Section 6) because removing it would allow the trial to be re-claimed, which would be fraudulent use of our service.
- Discord Server Membership: We query the Discord API to confirm you are a member of the AckerTech Discord server before sending a code. We do not store, log, or retain any information about your Discord server membership, roles, or activity beyond the username lookup required for verification.
- No Discord Account Access: We never request OAuth access to your Discord account. The bot only sends you a DM and checks server membership. We cannot read your messages, see your friends list, or access any other Discord data.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information exclusively for:
- Verifying your premium license status
- Syncing your profile and progression across devices
- Assigning quests, recording valid progress, and stopping duplicate or invalid claims
- Processing and responding to your feedback and bug reports
- Oh. That's it.
4. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored securely and we implement appropriate technical measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction of your information. We use industry-standard encryption for all data in transit and at rest. Device identifiers (hardware IDs) are cryptographically hashed using SHA-256 before storage, ensuring that raw hardware information cannot be recovered even in the event of a data breach. All system diagnostics, optimization scans, and hardware information are processed locally on your machine and are never sent to our servers. Our infrastructure is hosted on secure cloud providers (Supabase, Cloudflare) with enterprise-grade security.
5. Data Sharing
We do not and will never sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We share data only in these limited circumstances:
- Service Providers: We use trusted third parties to help deliver our services: Supabase (database hosting and authentication), LemonSqueezy (payment processing - we never see your full card details), Cloudflare (CDN and security), and Discord/Google (OAuth authentication, only if you choose to sign in). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and may only use it to provide services to us.
- With Your Consent: We may share data if you explicitly authorise it (e.g., OAuth with Discord/Google).
- For Legal Compliance: We may disclose data if required by law, court order, or government request.
- In Business Transfers: If AckerTech Studio is acquired or merged, user data may transfer to the new owner. You will be notified of any such change.
- Anonymised/Aggregated Data: We may publicly share aggregated, non-identifiable statistics (e.g., "80% of users enable Game Booster").
6. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your data: You can request a complete copy of all personal data we hold about you at any time via Settings > Privacy > Request My Data.
- Data portability: Your data export is provided as a JSON file containing your account information, license and purchase details, device records, progression data, feedback history, and preferences.
- Deletion: You can permanently delete all your cloud data at any time via Settings > Privacy > Delete My Data. This action is irreversible. Here is exactly what gets deleted and what does not:
- Deleted: Your account link (login association), all progression stats (level, XP, total optimizations, space freed, quests, health tests, etc.), coins balance and transaction history, feedback submissions, security alerts, settings and preferences, game boost configurations, favorite optimizations, and any in-progress Discord verification codes.
- Preserved: Your license type and expiry date (so you do not lose a paid plan), your Discord trial claim record (to prevent fraudulent re-claiming of the free trial - this is a permanent anti-fraud measure and cannot be removed), and your hashed device ID (required to identify which device to re-associate data with if you log back in).
- Device management: Deactivate your device at any time via Settings > License > Deactivate This Device. This does not delete or revoke your license key, it simply frees one activation slot so you can activate on a different device. The deactivated device will be switched to the free plan and can be reactivated at any time if a slot is available.
7. Local Data Storage
The following data is stored locally on your device and never uploaded:
- System backup/restore points
- Deep Cleaner scan results
- Game detection cache
- Startup services, startup apps, and installed applications (Debloat page)
- Windows settings, enabled optimization state, and the data needed to revert changes
- Application logs
AckerTech Optimizer may also keep a disposable local copy of your synced profile and quest state so the interface can load quickly. That copy is a cache, not the record used to approve XP or rewards. Editing or deleting it cannot complete a server quest or approve a claim. A successful sync replaces it with the server state.
8. Data Sync Modes (This PC vs Cloud)
AckerTech Optimizer keeps your synced totals and progression state on the server. It can show two views of those totals:
- "This PC" Stats: Tracks optimization data specific to your current device, such as space freed, optimizations applied, health tests run, and deep cleans run on this machine. If you reinstall Windows or switch devices, your This PC stats reset to zero on the new installation, giving you a fresh starting point.
- "Cloud" Stats (All-Time): Tracks your cumulative totals across all devices and installations. This includes everything from your current This PC stats plus all stats from previous devices or installations. This lets you see your all-time impact across every machine you’ve ever used.
- What Gets Stored in Cloud: This PC and all-time totals, XP and level state, daily and weekly quest assignments, quest progress, completion and claim state, plus the small operation records needed to reject repeated requests.
- What Never Gets Stored in Cloud: System restore points, raw Deep Cleaner results, Game Booster presets, passwords, hardware page specifications, application logs, Windows setting values, or local revert data.
Quest progress needs an accepted HTTPS request. If AckerTech Optimizer is offline, the app can show its last saved copy and retry a pending event later, but the server does not grant progress or XP until it accepts that request.
9. Children's Privacy
AckerTech Optimizer is not intended for use by children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. Because we do not collect names, ages, or any personally identifiable information, only a hashed motherboard ID (HWID),we have no way to determine the age of any user. If you are a parent or guardian and your child has used the Software, you can delete all data associated with their device via Settings > Privacy > Delete My Data from the device in question.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify users of any material changes by updating the "Last updated" date and, for significant changes, displaying an in-app notification.
11. Data Retention
We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services.
- Account data: Retained until you request deletion or account closure.
- Progression data: Quest assignments, progress events, completion and claim state, and replay-protection records are retained while your profile is active. They are included when cloud progression data is deleted.
- License verification data: Retained for the lifetime of your licence.
- Feedback submissions: Retained indefinitely to assist with product improvement. Feedback is linked to your device identifier (HWID), so it can only be removed by deleting all data associated with your device via Settings > Privacy > Delete My Data.
- Account deletion: When you delete your account via Settings > Privacy > Delete My Data, the vast majority of your data is permanently and immediately removed from our servers. See Section 6 for the specific list of what is deleted and what is preserved for fraud prevention and license integrity purposes.
- Discord trial claim record: The record that your device and Discord account have claimed the free trial is retained permanently as an anti-fraud measure. This specific record cannot be deleted via "Delete My Data" because doing so would allow the one-time offer to be abused.
12. Australian Privacy Compliance
AckerTech Studio complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This includes being transparent about the personal information we collect, only collecting information that is reasonably necessary for our services, taking reasonable steps to protect your data from misuse, interference, and unauthorised access, and providing you with access to your personal information upon request. If you believe we have breached the APPs, you may lodge a complaint with us at admin@ackertech.net or with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.
13. International Users, GDPR & UK GDPR
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR respectively:
- Right to data portability
- Right to be forgotten
- Right to restrict processing
- Right to object to processing
- Right to lodge complaints with supervisory authorities
- Legal Basis – Contract performance: License verification, account management, premium feature delivery, and payment processing.
- Legal Basis – Legitimate interest: Software improvement and aggregated optimization statistics.
- Legal Basis – Consent: OAuth authentication (Google/Discord) and feedback submissions. You may withdraw consent at any time.
- Data transfers from the EEA and UK to our infrastructure providers (Supabase, Cloudflare, LemonSqueezy) are conducted under Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or applicable adequacy decisions. For GDPR/UK GDPR-related requests, contact: admin@ackertech.net.
14. Data Breach Notification
In the unlikely event of a security breach affecting your personal data, we will: notify users within 72 hours via our Discord server, social media channels, and an in-app notification, report the breach to relevant authorities as required by law, provide details about what data was compromised, explain steps we are taking to mitigate harm, and offer guidance on protecting yourself. You can report security concerns to: admin@ackertech.net.
15. Third-Party Services and Links
AckerTech Optimizer may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with external services (e.g., Discord, Google OAuth). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies. When you authenticate with Discord or Google, their respective privacy policies govern how they handle your data.
16. Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website (ackertech.net) does not use cookies, tracking pixels, analytics scripts, or any form of client-side tracking. We do not collect any data about how you browse our website. No personal information is gathered, stored, or shared from your visit. We don't know who you are.
17. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your personal data, please contact us.
- Data Privacy: admin@ackertech.net
- Security Issues: admin@ackertech.net
- General Support: admin@ackertech.net
- Discord: discord.gg/u69fzj5sFw