Our Promise: Minimal Data Collection
SquirrelBak is built on one principle: your data belongs to you.
We do not collect, store, or transmit:
- Your file names (like
taxes_2025.pdf) - Your file contents (text, photos, videos)
- Your folder paths or directory structure
- Your device name or username
- Your network credentials (SMB passwords, etc.)
- Your usage patterns or backup schedule
What Little We Do Know
To keep the software working smoothly, SquirrelBak observes only a very small set of metadata — and most of this is optional.
1. Number of Files
Example: "There are 1,248 files in this folder." This helps track progress and ensure files are copied completely.
2. File Extension Counts (Optional)
Every 24 hours, SquirrelBak may send an anonymized summary to our servers in this format:
{
".docx": 124,
".jpg": 892,
".pdf": 56
}
This tells us which file types are being backed up and in what volume — nothing more. We use this to:
- Optimize transfer performance for commonly used file types
- Guide future product development based on real usage patterns
What this does NOT include: file names, file contents, folder paths, timestamps, or any data that could identify your files. You can disable this in Settings.
We never collect or store: file names, file contents, full folder paths, device usernames, or network credentials.
GDPR & Your Rights (EU/EEA)
If you are located in the EU/EEA, SquirrelBak is committed to meeting GDPR requirements when processing personal data. This section explains what we process, the legal bases we rely on, retention, and how to exercise your rights.
Data Controller
Data Controller: DoubleBlue (operator of SquirrelBak). For GDPR requests contact: support@squirrelbak.com.
Categories of personal data we process
- IP address received when downloading from our website (raw IP retained for 30 days, then anonymized to country/region level).
- Optional crash diagnostics you choose to send (operating system, software version, error stack trace; no file paths or file contents).
- Minimal telemetry for optional features such as file-extension statistics (can be disabled).
Legal basis for processing
- Performance of a contract / provision of the service — processing necessary to deliver downloads, updates and support.
- Legitimate interests — limited analytics and IP logging to improve service reliability, CDN performance, and understand global usage (balanced against user privacy; raw IPs are deleted after 30 days).
- Consent — optional crash reports and feedback you explicitly enable are processed on the basis of consent and may be withdrawn at any time.
Data retention
We retain raw IP download logs for up to 30 days to maintain accurate geographic usage statistics, after which the raw IP is automatically deleted and only anonymous location data (country/region) is retained. Optional crash reports are retained only while needed to diagnose and fix issues and are deleted within 12 months unless you request earlier removal.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you;
- Request correction of inaccurate data;
- Request deletion (right to be forgotten) where we have no legal reason to retain it;
- Restrict or object to processing where applicable;
- Request portability of personal data you provided to us;
- Withdraw consent at any time for optional processing (e.g., crash reports).
To exercise these rights, contact: privacy@squirrelbak.com. We will reply within one month or sooner where required by law.
Right to lodge a complaint
If you believe your rights under the GDPR have been violated, you may lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority in the EU/EEA country where you live or work. For information about supervisory authorities, see: European Data Protection Board.
California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):
- Right to know what personal information we collect about you
- Right to know whether your personal information is sold or shared — we do not sell or share your personal information
- Right to deletion of your personal information
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information — not applicable, as we do not sell data
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise share your personal information with third parties for monetary or other valuable consideration.
To exercise your CCPA rights, contact: privacy@squirrelbak.com.
Download Analytics
When you download SquirrelBak from our website, we receive your IP address. We use this to:
- Determine your general geographic region (country/city level)
- Analyze global usage patterns to improve our service
- Detect and prevent unauthorized distribution
What we store
- Your raw IP address: retained for 30 days, then automatically deleted
- Anonymous location data (country/region): retained indefinitely for statistical analysis
What we do NOT do
- We do not link your IP to any personal identity
- We do not use this data for advertising or profiling
- We do not share this data with third parties
Your rights: You may request early deletion of your IP record at any time by contacting privacy@squirrelbak.com.
Error Reports? Only If You Agree
If SquirrelBak crashes, you may choose to send a diagnostic report.
This includes:
- Operating system version
- Software version
- Error stack trace (no file paths, no user data)
You can enable or disable error reporting at any time in Send feedback.
Custom Translation Files
SquirrelBak provides built-in translations (Chinese, English, and others) generated with AI assistance and reviewed by our team.
If you choose to modify or create custom translation files to override the default text, the content of those files is under your control and is not collected or transmitted by SquirrelBak.
We are not responsible for the accuracy, appropriateness, or legality of user-modified or user-created translations. See our Terms of Service for details.
No Cloud. No Tracking. No Ads.
SquirrelBak does not:
- Connect to external servers during backup
- Upload your files to the cloud
- Use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any tracker
- Show advertisements or sponsored content
- Require accounts, logins, or email registration
It works silently between two machines on your network — just like a wire.
Why This Matters
In a world where every app wants your data, SquirrelBak is different.
We believe backup should be:
- Private - Your files stay yours
- Simple - No permissions, no popups
- Trusted - You know exactly what happens
If we don’t need it, we don’t collect it.
