Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 8, 2026

1. Introduction

FME Solutions LLC ("we," "our," or "us") operates Fix My Excel File ("the Service"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you use our free, basic scanner, ad-supported file repair service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Our Free Service

Fix My Excel File provides a basic analysis which is a 100% free service supported by advertisements. You will never be charged to use our basic file repair tools. Our service is designed to help users repair corrupted Excel files using AI-powered algorithms. While our algorithm successfully repairs many types of file corruption, it does not fix all types of corruption. We continuously work to improve our repair capabilities through research and algorithm enhancements.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Files You Upload

When you use our Service, you voluntarily upload Excel files for repair. These files may contain:

• Spreadsheet data, formulas, and formatting
• Any personal or business information contained within your files
• File metadata (such as file name, size, and creation date)

3.2 IP Address Information

We collect your IP address for the following limited purposes:

• To enforce daily upload limits and prevent abuse of the Service
• To ensure fair usage across all users
• To protect our systems from malicious activity

Your IP address is used solely for rate limiting and security purposes. We do not use IP addresses for tracking, marketing, or any other purpose beyond service protection.

3.3 Technical Information

When you access our Service, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Time and date of access
• Pages viewed and actions taken on our website

3.4 Google reCAPTCHA

We use Google reCAPTCHA to protect our Service from spam, abuse, and automated bot activity. reCAPTCHA is a security service provided by Google LLC that helps verify you are a real person and not an automated program attempting to abuse our Service.

When you interact with reCAPTCHA on our website, Google may collect information including but not limited to:

• Your IP address
• Cookies set by Google on your browser
• Browser and device information (type, version, operating system)
• Mouse movements and clicking behavior
• Other behavioral data to determine if you are a human user

This information is transmitted to and analyzed by Google to assess the likelihood that you are a human user. Google's use and processing of this data is governed by Google's Privacy Policy, available at https://policies.google.com/privacy, and Google's Terms of Service, available at https://policies.google.com/terms.

We use reCAPTCHA to protect our Service and ensure a safe, secure experience for all users. The reCAPTCHA verification is required before you can submit files for processing. By using our Service, you consent to the use of reCAPTCHA and the collection and processing of data by Google as described above.

For more information about how Google uses data when you use our website, please visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

3.5 Voluntary Feedback and Contact Information

After using our Service, you may optionally provide:

• Email address (when submitting feedback)
• Feedback comments about your experience
• Contact information when reaching out to support

This information is provided voluntarily and is not required to use the Service.

4. Cookies and Analytics

4.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC ("Google"), to help us understand how visitors use our Service. Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to collect and analyze information about Service usage and to report on activities and trends.

Google Analytics collects information such as:

• How often users visit our Service
• What pages they visit and in what sequence
• How long they spend on each page
• General location information (country/city level based on IP address)
• Browser type, device type, and screen resolution
• Referral sources (how you arrived at our Service)

Google Analytics does not collect personal information such as your name or email address unless you voluntarily provide it. We have configured Google Analytics to anonymize IP addresses before they are stored, and we do not share any personally identifiable information with Google.

4.2 How Google Analytics Uses Cookies

Google Analytics uses first-party cookies to track user interactions. These cookies enable Google Analytics to:

• Distinguish unique users and sessions
• Throttle the request rate to prevent overwhelming our servers
• Remember your preferences and past actions within our Service

The main cookies set by Google Analytics include:

• _ga: Used to distinguish users (expires after 2 years)
• _gid: Used to distinguish users (expires after 24 hours)
• _gat: Used to throttle request rate (expires after 1 minute)

4.3 Opting Out of Google Analytics

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking in several ways:

• Browser Settings: You can configure your browser to refuse all cookies or indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, some features of our Service may not function properly without cookies.
• Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: Install the free Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on available at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• Do Not Track: We respect Do Not Track (DNT) browser settings where technically feasible

4.4 Google's Privacy Policy

For more information about how Google collects and processes data, please review Google's Privacy Policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy and Google Analytics' data practices at https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245.

4.5 Other Tracking Technologies

Apart from Google Analytics cookies, we do not use any other tracking pixels, web beacons, or similar tracking technologies on our Service. We do not track your browsing behavior across other websites.

4.6 No Required User Accounts

We do not require you to create an account to use our Service. We do not collect or store:

• Names or personal identifiers (unless voluntarily provided in feedback)
• Passwords or login credentials
• Payment information (our service is free)

5. How We Use Your Information

5.1 File Processing and Repair

Your uploaded files are processed exclusively to provide the file repair service you requested. We analyze the structure and content of your files to identify and fix corruption issues, then provide you with a repaired version.

5.2 Optional File Sharing for Research

After your file is analyzed, you have the option to "Share File For Further Analysis". This is completely voluntary and opt-in. If you choose to share your file:

• We will retain a copy of both your original and repaired file
• These files will be used to research why repairs did or did not work
• The data helps us improve our AI algorithms and repair capabilities
• Shared files help us identify patterns in corruption types and develop better repair strategies
• Your feedback (if provided) will be associated with the shared files to give us context

If you do NOT check the "Share File For Further Analysis" box, your files will never be stored on our servers for research purposes.

5.3 Analytics and Service Improvement

We use Google Analytics data to:

• Understand how visitors interact with our Service
• Identify popular features and areas for improvement
• Monitor Service performance and troubleshoot technical issues
• Make informed decisions about feature development and user experience enhancements

We may also use anonymized, aggregated data about file types, corruption patterns, and repair success rates to improve our AI algorithms and service quality. This data cannot be used to identify you or your specific files.

6. Data Retention and Deletion

6.1 Immediate Deletion (Default)

By default, files are NOT stored on our servers. Your uploaded files are processed in memory and immediately deleted after the repair process is complete. Both the original and repaired files are removed from our systems as soon as you receive your results.

6.2 Files Shared for Research (Opt-In Only)

If you explicitly choose to share your files by checking the "Share File For Further Analysis" box:

• Your original and repaired files will be stored securely on our servers
• Files are retained for research and algorithm improvement purposes
• You may request deletion at any time by contacting support@fixmyexcelfile.com
• We will honor deletion requests within 30 days

6.3 Feedback Data

If you provide feedback (with or without sharing files), your feedback and optional email address will be retained to help us improve the Service and respond to your comments if needed.

6.4 Analytics Data Retention

Google Analytics data is retained according to Google's data retention policies. We have configured our Google Analytics account to retain user-level and event-level data for 26 months, after which it is automatically deleted. Aggregated reporting data may be retained indefinitely.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your uploaded files and information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit using HTTPS/TLS protocols
• Secure server infrastructure with access controls
• Regular security audits and updates
• Immediate deletion processes for files not opted-in for research
• Access restrictions on stored research files limited to authorized personnel only

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

8. Third-Party Services

8.1 Google Analytics

As described in Section 4, we use Google Analytics to analyze Service usage. Google may use the data collected to contextualize and personalize ads within its own advertising network. For more information on Google's data practices, visit https://policies.google.com/privacy.

8.2 Advertisements

Our Service is supported by advertisements provided by Propeller Ads, which allows us to offer it completely free of charge. Propeller Ads and other third-party advertising networks may display ads on our website. These advertisers may have their own privacy policies and may use their own cookies or tracking technologies. We do not control these third-party technologies, and their use is governed by the privacy policies of the companies providing them.

For more information about how Propeller Ads collects and uses data, please visit their privacy policy at https://propellerads.com/privacy/.

8.3 No Data Sharing

We do not share, sell, rent, or trade your uploaded files or personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes. We do not provide your files to advertisers, Google Analytics, or any other third parties, except:

• As required by law
• To protect our rights or the safety of our users

9. Your Rights and Choices

9.1 Access and Control

You have the following rights regarding your information:

• Right to Access: You may request information about what data we hold about you
• Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of any files you've shared for research
• Right to Opt-Out: You can choose not to share files for research at any time, and you can opt out of Google Analytics tracking (see Section 4.3)
• Right to Withdraw Consent: If you previously shared files, you can request their deletion

9.2 Data Portability

You can download your repaired files immediately after processing. If you did not share your files for research, they are never stored and cannot be recovered.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with information, please contact us at [email protected], and we will delete such information from our systems.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information, including uploaded files, may be transferred to and processed on servers located outside of your country of residence. By using our Service, you consent to such transfers. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Google Analytics may also transfer data internationally as part of its service. Google is certified under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify users of any material changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Posting a notice on our website

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Legal Disclosures

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (such as a court or government agency). We may also disclose information when we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws or respond to legal processes
• Protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues

We will make reasonable efforts to notify you of such disclosures unless prohibited by law.

14. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• The right to request deletion of your personal information
• The right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us at support@fixmyexcelfile.com.

15. European Union Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• The right to access your personal data
• The right to rectification of inaccurate data
• The right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• The right to restrict processing
• The right to data portability
• The right to object to processing
• The right to withdraw consent at any time (for cookies/analytics)

Our legal basis for processing your data includes:

• Consent: For using Google Analytics cookies and for sharing files for research
• Legitimate Interests: For providing the core file repair service and preventing abuse through IP-based rate limiting
• Contractual Necessity: For delivering the Service you requested

You may withdraw consent for analytics tracking at any time by opting out as described in Section 4.3. You may withdraw consent for file sharing by requesting deletion of shared files. You can cease using the Service at any time.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

FME Solutions LLC
Email: support@fixmyexcelfile.com

We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days.