Devto
- The documents do not say whether your data trains AI.
- Your data is used for personalized ads, including by third-party ad companies.
- Data is shared with partners and affiliates; you can opt out.
- The documents do not say who can read your content.
DEV collects account, posts, and tracking data; public posts are public; deletion is by request, not a clear in-app timer.
Agent Trust Hub uses AI and may make mistakes. Review reports and confirm their contents before relying on them.
Collected
Name, email, posts, device IDs, cookies, IP location, and data from GitHub or other logins.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“We may collect certain information automatically when you use our Services, such as your Internet protocol (IP) address, user settings, MAC address, cookie identifiers, mobile carrier, mobile advertising and other unique identifiers”
Training
They run the site, market to you, profile you for suggestions, and use ads and analytics cookies.
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Privacy policy
“We may use your personal information to tailor and provide you with content and advertisements for our Services, such as via email.”
Sharing
Public posts are public; they also share with vendors, business partners, and in a sale of the company.
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Privacy policy
“any information you provide using the public sharing features of the Services, such as the information you post to your public profile or the topics you follow is public, including to recruiters and prospective employers”
Kept
They keep it while you use the service and as long as they say they need it for law or business.
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Privacy policy
“We store the personal information we collect as described in this Privacy Policy for as long as you use our Services or as necessary: to fulfill the purpose or purposes for which it was collected”
Controls
Email unsubscribe and cookie settings exist; deletion and other rights are by contacting support@dev.to.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us as set forth in "Contact Us" below.”
Fine print
Continued use can mean you accept policy changes; the terms we got let them stop service with no notice.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“You understand and agree that you will be deemed to have accepted the updated Privacy Policy if you continue to use our Services after the new Privacy Policy takes effect.”
Expand “Read the exact line” to see the source alongside the explanation.
What you can turn off
The controls and opt-outs their own documents describe, and where they say to find them.
Ask to access or delete your data
Email support@dev.to as listed in Contact Us
Unsubscribe from marketing email
Unsubscribe link at the bottom of their emails
Limit cookies in your browser
Browser or device cookie settings (they say the site may break)
Nevada do-not-sell request
Email support@dev.to with subject line Nevada Do Not Sell Request
If a switch is not where they say, the deletion request above still applies.
Line by line
The lines that matter most, worst first.
What you post on your profile or in public threads is not private. Anyone can read it, including people hiring.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“any information you provide using the public sharing features of the Services, such as the information you post to your public profile or the topics you follow is public, including to recruiters and prospective employers”
For example, a rant about your boss on DEV could show up when a recruiter googles you.
They can shut off the product without warning and say they owe you nothing for that.
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Terms of service
“We reserve the right to change, interrupt or terminate services at any time without notifying users.”
For example, your account could disappear overnight with no email first.
If they say you broke the rules, you may have to pay their lawyers and fines.
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Terms of service
“You agree to protect and safeguard our interests and be responsible for paying attorney fees, damage compensation fees, government agency penalties and other infringement compensation fees caused by your violation of these terms of service”
For example, a fight over a post could leave you on the hook for their legal bills.
Turning on Do Not Track in your browser does not stop their tracking.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“Please note that we do not respond to or honor DNT signals or similar mechanisms transmitted by web browsers.”
For example, Safari’s Do Not Track setting will not change how DEV cookies work.
Outside ad and analytics companies can drop trackers on the site.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“We, as well as third parties that provide content, advertising, or other functionality on our Services, may use cookies, pixel tags, local storage, and other technologies”
For example, Google Analytics can record which articles you read.
Your data can go to partner companies, not only to vendors who host the site.
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Privacy policy
“We may share your personal information with business partners to provide you with a product or service you have requested. We may also share your personal information to business partners with whom we jointly offer products or services.”
For example, a joint event or product could mean your email is shared with that partner.
They can build a profile of you to recommend people and topics. Controls for that profile are not spelled out.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“We may engage in automated decision making, including profiling, such as to suggest topics or other Users for you to follow.”
For example, who you follow could be used to suggest more accounts without a clear off switch.
If they change the rules, keeping using the site can count as saying yes.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“You understand and agree that you will be deemed to have accepted the updated Privacy Policy if you continue to use our Services after the new Privacy Policy takes effect.”
For example, you might miss an update and still be treated as having agreed.
They say kids under 13 should not use it, but they do not describe a real age check.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“The Services are not directed to children under 13 (or other age as required by local law), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.”
For example, a 12-year-old could still type a birthday or skip one if the form allows it.
Deleting or downloading your data is done by emailing them, not a promised in-app 30-day wipe.
Read the exact line
Privacy policy
“If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us as set forth in "Contact Us" below. We will process such requests in accordance with applicable laws.”
For example, you email support@dev.to and wait for them to process a deletion request.
Words to know
Legal words from the lines above, in plain English.
- cookies
- Small files a website saves on your device so it can recognise you and remember what you did. For example, a cookie keeps you logged in and can also tell an ad company which sites you visited.
- device identifiers
- Codes that single out your phone or computer, used to recognise you across apps and sites. For example, the advertising ID on your phone lets two unrelated apps know they are seeing the same person.
- personal data
- Any information that is about you or can be linked to you, from your name to your phone's ID. For example, your email, your IP address and the list of apps on your phone are all personal data.
- third parties
- Any company or person other than you and the app, such as advertisers, partners or analytics firms. For example, an analytics company that receives a record of every screen you tap is a third party.
- tracking pixels
- Tiny invisible images or bits of code in a page, app or email that report back when and where you opened it. For example, a pixel in a marketing email tells the sender the moment you read it.
- profiling
- Building a picture of who you are, what you like and what you might do next from your data. For example, an app may guess your income, health or politics from what you watch and tap.
How we got here · grade F · score 31/100 · 15 of 15 policy answers backed by a verified quote · 5 not stated
What does the app collect beyond what it needs to work?
They collect account details and posts plus IP, cookies, advertising IDs, device info, and approximate location.
Does it record your voice, face or body, and what happens to that?
Not stated in the documents.
Are your chats and uploads used to train AI models, and is that off by default?
Not stated in the documents.
Can employees or contractors read your conversations, and when?
Not stated in the documents.
Are you profiled or tracked for advertising?
Third parties place cookies and ads tech, including Google Analytics, and they ignore Do Not Track.
Do they sell or share your data, and can you opt out?
They share with vendors and business partners; Nevada residents can ask not to sell, and they say they do not currently sell under Nevada law.
What rights do they take over what you type and what the AI makes?
Public posts and profile info are public by default, including to recruiters.
How long do they keep your data after you delete it, and can you delete it in the app?
They keep data while you use the service and for other listed needs; deletion is by contacting them.
Does it build a lasting memory or profile of you, and can you see, edit or turn it off?
They mention profiling to suggest topics and users, but not how to view or turn that off.
Do they commit to basic security, and have they leaked data?
Not stated in the documents.
Is there a real age gate, and are teens protected?
The service is not directed to children under 13; they do not describe age verification.
Will they tell you when the rules change, and is the policy specific?
The privacy policy is dated; they may notify of material changes as required by law, and continued use counts as acceptance.
Can they close your account without warning, and can you get your data out first?
The terms we received say they can change or end the service at any time without notifying users.
If something goes wrong, who pays?
The terms disclaim warranties and say you must pay their legal costs if you violate them.
Do subscriptions renew on their own, and can you get a refund?
Not stated in the documents.
The privacy policy is 4,191 words at a college level (Flesch reading ease 41.4); the terms are 832 words at a college graduate level.
