This policy explains what data Crate Cleaner LLC ("Crate Cleaner", "we", "us") collects when you use the Crate Cleaner application (the "App") or visit cratecleaner.com (the "Site"), why we collect it, and the rights you have over it.
The short version: your music library never leaves your Mac, and the App works offline. By default the only data the App sends us is your licence key and an anonymous device identifier, used to activate and validate your licence. Newer versions also let you choose to share anonymous usage data and crash reports. Both are off until you turn them on, can be switched off at any time, and never include file paths, track names or personal details.
1. What stays on your machine
Crate Cleaner's core features (scanning, duplicate detection, library repair, smart crates, track analysis, analytics) run entirely locally on your Mac. We never receive, store, or have access to:
- Your audio files or any content of your music library
- Your Serato database, crates, cue points, or beatgrids
- Track metadata, play history, or listening habits
- Snapshots or archived files, which are stored locally in
~/.crate-cleaner
No account is required to use the App, and the App does not require an internet connection except for licence activation and periodic licence validation, and for the optional usage data and crash reports described in section 2.2 if you turn them on.
2. What we collect and why
2.1 Licence activation and validation (the App)
When you activate a licence, and roughly every 7 days afterwards, the App sends to our licence server:
- Your licence key
- An anonymous device identifier, derived from basic system characteristics (platform, language, screen size, timezone, CPU core count). It contains no personal files, no hardware serial numbers, and cannot be used to identify you personally.
Why: to activate your licence, enforce per-plan machine limits, and detect key sharing or fraud. Legal basis: performance of our contract with you and our legitimate interest in preventing licence abuse (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b) and 6(1)(f)). The licence server runs on Cloudflare infrastructure.
2.2 Usage data and crash reports (the App, optional)
Newer versions of the App ask you on first launch whether you want to help improve Crate Cleaner. There are two separate choices, and both are off unless you turn them on. Saying no has no effect on how the App works. You can change either choice at any time in Settings, under Preferences.
Until you turn a choice on, the App creates no identifier for this purpose and sends nothing. If you do turn one on, the App creates a random identifier on your computer (an "install ID"). It is not derived from your name, email, licence key or hardware, and it is not linked to any of them.
Usage data, if you turn it on, is:
- that the App was opened, with the App version, your operating system and CPU type, and your plan (free, Pro or Studio)
- which feature ran (for example library scan or Auto Cue), how long it took, whether it succeeded, and a size band for your library such as "1,000 to 10,000 tracks" (never an exact count)
- which upgrade prompts you saw or clicked, and when your plan moves to a higher one, together with the last upgrade prompt you saw
Crash reports, if you turn them on, are: the type of error, which feature it happened in, and the names and line numbers of the functions inside Crate Cleaner's own code that were running.
Never sent, whichever choices you make: file paths, track, artist or playlist names, your licence key, your email address, or the text of any error message. We do not store your IP address with this data.
Why: to see which features people use and which are slow, so we can fix and build the right things, and to fix crashes. Legal basis: your consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)), which also covers storing the install ID on your device (ePrivacy Directive Art. 5(3)). You can withdraw consent at any time by switching the choices off in Settings. Switching both off deletes the install ID from your computer and asks our server to delete every event stored under it. Because this data is tied only to the random install ID and not to your name or licence, we cannot find it from your email address, so the in-app switch is the way to have it removed. If you uninstall without switching it off, the data is deleted automatically after 90 days.
This data is received and stored on Cloudflare infrastructure, the same provider as our licence server. Cloudflare's network handles requests in order to deliver them and may process IP addresses for that purpose; we do not read or store them.
2.3 Purchases
Payments are processed by Stripe. When you buy a plan, Stripe collects your payment details directly; we never see or store your full card number. We receive from Stripe your name, email address, and purchase details (plan, amount, date), which we use to issue your licence key, provide support, and meet our accounting obligations. Legal basis: performance of a contract and compliance with legal obligations (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b) and 6(1)(c)). See Stripe's privacy policy.
2.4 Website analytics
The Site uses Google Analytics to understand aggregate visitor behaviour (pages visited, referral source, approximate location, device type). Google Analytics sets cookies and processes your IP address. Legal basis: consent where required. You can opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out add-on or by blocking cookies.
2.5 Support
If you email support@cratecleaner.com, we receive your email address and whatever you include in your message. We use it solely to respond and resolve your issue. Legal basis: legitimate interest in providing support (GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)).
4. How long we keep data
- Licence records (key, device identifiers, activation history): for as long as your licence is active, and up to 3 years after expiry for fraud prevention.
- Purchase records: as long as required by applicable tax and accounting law.
- Support emails: up to 2 years after the issue is resolved.
- Analytics data: per Google Analytics' configured retention period.
- Usage data and crash reports from the App (section 2.2): up to 90 days, or until you switch the choice off in the App, whichever is sooner.
5. Your rights
Under the GDPR you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate data
- Delete your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Receive your data in a portable format
- Object to processing based on legitimate interest
- Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent. For App usage data and crash reports, switch the choices off in Settings (see section 2.2).
To exercise any of these rights, email support@cratecleaner.com. We respond within 30 days. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority; in Romania, that is the ANSPDCP (dataprotection.ro).
6. Children
Crate Cleaner is not directed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them.
7. Changes to this policy
If we change this policy, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Material changes will be highlighted on the Site or communicated by email where we have one on file.
8. Contact
Crate Cleaner LLC
Email: support@cratecleaner.com