Summary
PDF Steam does not keep your PDFs. When you compress a file, it is sent over HTTPS, processed in server memory, and sent back to your browser. We do not write uploads to disk, maintain a document library, or use your content for advertising or model training.
Please avoid uploading highly confidential material unless you accept short-lived processing on our cloud infrastructure in the European Union (Frankfurt).
Who operates this service
PDF Steam is an independent, free online tool. Questions about this notice: [email protected].
PDF files and retention
- When you start compression, your PDF travels to our server over encrypted HTTPS.
- The file exists only in memory for the duration of processing and is discarded once your download response completes, typically within seconds. We keep no copy.
- No account is required; uploads are not linked to a user profile or history.
Other data we may process
- Language preference: saved in your browser (
localStorage) so the interface remembers your choice. - Server logs: our host (Fly.io) may record technical data such as IP address, date and time, requested URL, and browser type for security and reliability. We do not use logs for advertising or to build marketing profiles.
- Support email: if you write to us, we receive the content of your message and your email address.
- Optional tip: the Revolut link takes you to a third party; Revolut’s privacy terms apply to any payment there.
Cookies and similar storage
We do not use advertising or analytics cookies. On your device we use localStorage only for:
- language selection (
pdfsteam-lang); - remembering that you dismissed the brief storage notice on the home page (
pdfsteam-privacy-notice).
We load fonts from Google Fonts and jsDelivr; those services may see your IP address as part of normal delivery. You can block them with browser settings or extensions if you wish.
Legal bases (EEA / UK)
Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we process upload data to provide the compression service you ask for (contract / steps at your request). Language settings and essential server logs are handled on the basis of our legitimate interest in operating a secure, working website.
Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example in the EEA or the UK), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to processing of personal data, and to complain to your data protection authority.
What we can help with: those rights mainly relate to data we might still have (hosting logs, emails you send us), not to PDF content, because uploads are not stored after processing.
- PDF files: we cannot retrieve, hand over, or delete a file once processing has finished; it is already gone from our systems.
- Browser storage: language and notice settings sit on your device; you can clear them via your browser’s site-data controls.
- Logs: if you ask us to review or delete log entries, include the approximate date and time (UTC) and, if possible, the IP address you used. We will check what our host retains and respond accordingly.
- Email: you may ask us to delete correspondence we still hold.
To make a request, email [email protected]. We aim to reply within 30 days (often sooner).
Changes
We may update this page occasionally. The “Last updated” date at the top shows the latest revision.