Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to REC Widgets, a Windows desktop widgets application provided by REC Ventures, including its built-in widgets and widget packs installed into it.

It explains what information the application stores locally, when and where it makes network requests, how widget pack permissions work, and what information REC Ventures receives.

Visits to recventures.org, including downloading widget packs from the REC Widgets widget packs page, are covered separately by the REC Ventures Website Privacy Policy.

REC Widgets does not require a REC Ventures account. You do not need to provide your name, email address, or any other profile information to use the application.

REC Widgets saves the following in its own local application data folder so your desktop can be restored between sessions:

• widget instances, positions, sizes, themes, and per-widget settings;
• content you enter into widgets, such as notes, tasks, agenda events, countdown targets, and timer state;
• the place you choose for the Weather widget and its coordinates;
• web addresses and file paths you add to the RSS, Events, Photo, and Quick Launcher widgets;
• clipboard history, only if you turn on the Clipboard widget's automatic capture;
• installed widget packs, trusted pack publishers, and the permissions you have granted; and
• local diagnostics such as counts, version numbers, and failure totals.

This information is not sent to REC Ventures. Layout exports are written only to a file location you choose.

Clipboard history stays in local REC Widgets storage. Automatic clipboard capture is off by default and only runs while the Clipboard widget is visible.

The Media widget reads the currently playing track through Windows media controls so it can show and control playback. The System Monitor, Network, Storage, and Battery widgets read device statistics such as processor, memory, disk, network throughput, and battery status in order to display them.

This information is displayed on your desktop and is not sent to REC Ventures or any other service.

Most widgets work entirely offline. The application makes network requests only when a feature you use needs them:

• Weather: the place name you search for is sent to the Open-Meteo geocoding service, and the selected place's coordinates are sent to the Open-Meteo forecast service to retrieve weather data.
• RSS and Events: the feed or iCalendar file is downloaded from the web address you enter.
• Photo: if you choose a web image, it is loaded from the HTTPS address you enter.
• Quick Launcher: web shortcuts open in your default web browser, which then handles the visit under its own settings.
• Widget packs: a pack can connect only to the HTTPS websites it names, and only after you grant it network permission.

As with any internet request, the service you connect to receives your device's IP address and the details of the request. REC Ventures does not receive or store these requests. Open-Meteo and the other websites you choose process requests under their own terms and privacy policies.

Widget packs are signed data files that describe what a widget should show. They cannot run scripts or native code. Before a pack is installed, REC Widgets shows its publisher, signing fingerprint, widgets, and any permission requests.

A network permission is limited to the named HTTPS websites shown at install time. You can remove a pack's permissions, revoke a trusted publisher, or uninstall a pack at any time from the Widget Packs section of the manager. Learn more on the widget packs page.

If you add REC Widgets to the Windows Widgets board, the application writes a small summary to its own local package storage for Windows to display. The summary includes the Weather place and units, up to 20 incomplete tasks, and up to 8 upcoming events.

It does not include notes, clipboard content, feed addresses, launcher or photo paths, or diagnostics.

REC Widgets does not contain advertising, advertising identifiers, or third-party analytics.

The settings include an option to opt in to future privacy-preserving usage diagnostics. The current release has no telemetry transport, so no usage data is sent even if that option is turned on. Telemetry is off by default. This policy will be updated before any diagnostics are ever transmitted.

If you obtain, install, or update REC Widgets through Microsoft Store, Microsoft and Windows may process account, installation, update, device, security, or diagnostic information according to Microsoft's own terms, privacy settings, and privacy policies.

That processing is separate from REC Widgets and is not shared with REC Ventures in a way that identifies you.

REC Ventures does not sell, rent, or share personal information from REC Widgets. Because widget data stays on your device, REC Ventures does not receive it through normal use of the application.

You choose which widgets to add, which places, feeds, and addresses they use, whether clipboard capture is on, and which widget packs and permissions to allow.

Local data remains on your device until you remove the relevant widgets, clear their content, or uninstall REC Widgets, which removes its application data. REC Ventures keeps no server-side copy.

REC Widgets limits network access to the services described above, requires HTTPS for widget pack connections, and verifies widget pack signatures before installation.

You remain responsible for securing your Windows account and device. No storage or transmission method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

REC Widgets is a general desktop utility suitable for all ages. It does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children.

REC Ventures may update this Privacy Policy when REC Widgets, its widgets, Microsoft Store integration, or legal requirements change. Material changes will be published on this page and the "Last updated" date will be revised before a release that changes how the application handles information.

Questions or privacy requests concerning REC Widgets may be sent to:

support@recventures.org