Privacy

Your image stays in your browser

ImageToBeads processes source images locally for pattern generation, editing, recovery, and PNG export. The tool does not upload your source image or pattern as part of those actions.

Local draft

After you confirm creation and the pattern is generated, this device keeps one current draft in IndexedDB, including the source image, crop, keep-area mask, settings, pattern and display preferences. Unconfirmed adjustments and undo history only stay in the current session. Starting a new pattern replaces the old draft only after successful confirmation. To remove all local data, clear this site’s data in your browser settings. Private browsing, storage limits or clearing site data may also remove the draft. Beading mode separately saves one pattern snapshot and its completed colors in this browser, without uploading progress or syncing across devices.

Anonymous sharing

When you click Share, we store a snapshot of the pattern grid and palette on our server, without your source image, filename or image metadata. Anyone with the link can view, download and edit a copy. Links have no expiry or user revocation, and are not listed publicly or included in our sitemap. A forwarded link grants the same access. We may restrict access to abusive content. Viewing does not replace your local draft; editing a copy asks before replacing an existing draft.

Accounts and saved patterns

Google sign-in stores a Google account identifier, your chosen public name, Google photo URL and a private session cookie. Your photo is loaded from Google for your account menu and the author links on your published patterns. Your public gallery shows only your published patterns. We do not publish your Google email or Google name. Saving uploads only the pattern grid, palette, title and remix source; it remains private until you publish it. Publishing makes the chosen name, pattern, tags and source credit public under CC BY 4.0. Favorites are private. Unpublishing or deletion removes public access on our site; independent shares, downloaded copies and others’ remixes are not recalled. Deleted projects’ grid data becomes eligible for batched cleanup after 30 days; necessary historical credit metadata remains. Reports store the reason and your account identifier, or a daily hash of the connection address for anonymous reports. You can delete your account from the account menu after confirming your identity; this removes the photo URL, unlinks Google sign-in, revokes sessions, removes favorites and withdraws your publications. Historical source links remain without your creator name.

Feedback

If you send feedback, we store the message, topic, language, page, submission time, and the optional email you provide. Source images and patterns are not attached. Feedback is retained for up to 180 days for review and follow-up, then deleted or anonymized.

Third parties

Google sign-in controls load Google Identity Services to sign you in and refresh your account photo. Social share links open the service you choose, where its privacy policy applies. No advertising or affiliate services are enabled.

HEIC decoder licenses and source

Contact

ImageToBeads is an independent personal project. For privacy or deletion requests, use the Feedback form and choose “Privacy or deletion request,” or email contact@imagetobeads.com. Include a reply address in the form if you need a response.