# Privacy - **BudgieBackup** Last updated: 6 September 2026 (draft v1) > **Draft.** This statement is written to match what the software actually does > at build v0.9.26.249. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer and is not legal > advice. The binding terms are in `disclaimer.txt` - Sections 15 and 19 in > particular. Where the two ever disagree, the disclaimer wins and this file is > the one with the mistake. ## The short version Budgie Backup runs on your computer. It has **no telemetry, no analytics, no advertising and no tracking**. Nothing is sent anywhere unless you ask for it, and the only two things that ever leave your machine are an update check and a bug report you fill in and press Submit on. Your backups are written only to the destinations you choose. They are never sent to the author, and the author has no way to reach them. ## What stays on your computer Everything, by default. Specifically: - **Your backups.** Written to the destination folders and drives you pick. - **Backup plans** (`.budgiebackup` files), wherever you save them. - **Debug logs and screenshots**, under `%TEMP%\Budgie Backup\\` (or `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Budgie Backup\debug\` if `%TEMP%` cannot be written). - **Submitted bug-report zips**, kept under `\SubmittedBugReports\` so you can always see exactly what was sent. - **Settings and statistics**, under `HKCU\Software\Fearby.com\Budgie Backup`. - **Windows Event Log entries** the suite writes about runs and errors. These can be turned off. You can delete any of it at any time. Screenshots from previous sessions are deleted automatically each time an app starts. ## Backblaze B2 credentials (BudgieBackupSync) If you use BudgieBackupSync, **your B2 Key ID and Application Key are never written to disk by this software** - not to the registry, not to a settings file, not to a log. They are held in memory for the session only, which is why you are asked for them each time. The Key ID is masked on screen so it cannot appear in a screenshot attached to a bug report. Your Backblaze account, bucket and charges are yours - see `disclaimer.txt`, Section 13. ## When the software uses the internet Only two situations, both started by you. ### 1. Update check When you confirm an update check, the software fetches a small version file from **budgiebackup.com** and compares it with your installed version. Like any web request this reveals your IP address and a Budgie Backup user-agent string to the web server, and those may appear in routine server logs. No personal data is sent, and nothing about your backups is sent. ### 2. Bug reports Nothing is uploaded until you press **Submit**. When you do, the zip contains: - your answers on the form, including the email address you type in; - the current session's debug log; - basic system statistics - Windows version, processor, memory; - Windows Event Log entries relating to the suite, unless you untick that; and - **if you leave the box ticked**, screenshots of Budgie Backup's own windows. Screenshots only ever capture Budgie Backup's own windows, never your desktop or other applications - but they may incidentally show the names of drives, folders and files you are backing up. You can review, edit or delete anything in the debug folder before submitting, untick the screenshot option, or disable screenshot capture entirely by creating an empty folder named `no` at `\debug\no`. **Where bug reports go.** They are uploaded to a private storage bucket operated for the author by Cloudflare, Inc. (Cloudflare R2), acting purely as a hosting provider. The bucket has public access disabled - it cannot be browsed or downloaded from the internet, and the upload endpoint accepts uploads only; it has no ability to read anything back out. **How long they are kept.** Reports are used only to find and fix bugs, are deleted once the bug is resolved, and are in any case automatically and permanently deleted within **90 days** of upload by an automatic retention rule. They are never sold, never shared with anyone else, and never used for anything other than fixing the software. ## Alpha tester sign-up If you fill in the Alpha Test registration form in BudgieBackupSysTray, the name and email address you enter are sent to a separate private bucket, used only to contact you about the alpha, and never sold or shared. You can ask for your registration to be removed at any time by emailing budgiebackup@fearby.com. ## What is never collected - The contents of your files or backups. - File or folder listings, except where they happen to be visible in a debug log or a screenshot you choose to attach to a bug report. - Your Backblaze credentials. - Any identifier that follows you between sessions or machines. - Anything at all when you simply run a backup. ## Children Budgie Backup is a general-purpose utility and is not directed at children. ## Third parties Products and services the software can detect, link to or work with - including Backblaze, Acronis, 7-Zip and Cloudflare - are independent and have their own privacy policies, which apply when you use them. The author is not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. ## Your choices - Do not run the update check, and nothing is requested. - Do not submit a bug report, and nothing is uploaded. - Untick screenshots, or use the `debug\no` kill switch, to keep images out of reports entirely. - Turn off Windows Event Log entries. - Delete the local debug, log and bug-report folders whenever you like. ## Contact Questions, corrections, or a request to delete something you have sent: **budgiebackup@fearby.com**. Please do not include sensitive personal data in bug reports or emails. --- _See https://budgiebackup.com for the latest builds; https://fearby.com/utilities/budgiebackup/ now hosts back-end/misc documentation._ Released 13 September 2026 (v0.9.26.257)