Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2026 · Operator contact: hello@getsidechannel.com

SideChannel is a chat network for developers that runs inside VS Code. This policy describes what the server stores and why. It is written to match what the software actually does — no analytics SDKs, no ad tracking, no data sales.

What we store

• Identity. You sign in with GitHub through VS Code's built-in GitHub authentication. The server verifies your token with GitHub and stores your GitHub user id, username, and avatar URL. We never see your GitHub password or keep your access token after verification.
• Content you send. Messages, direct messages, thread replies, reactions, pins, and code/error snippets you choose to share are stored so the network can display them. Anything you post in a public channel is public to signed-in users.
• Reputation and preferences. Your rep score, solved-answer credits, status text, stack, channel memberships, and notification settings.
• Safety records. Reports you file and users you block (blocks are used to filter what you see and what reaches you).

What we do NOT do

• No third-party analytics or tracking pixels.
• The sponsor line is a static text message served by our server — it carries no per-user tracking and sets no cookies.
• We do not sell personal data. Ever.

Retention and deletion

Messages remain until you delete them (you can delete your own messages in the client) or an admin removes them for a policy violation. To delete your account and associated personal data, contact the operator at the address above; DMs and messages you sent are removed or anonymized within 30 days.

Security

Traffic to the server is encrypted (HTTPS/WSS). Access tokens are verified per request against GitHub. No system is perfect; report vulnerabilities to the operator.