Privacy Policy

Messages received on public temporary numbers are visible to anyone who visits the corresponding inbox URL. Do not use public numbers for sensitive personal, financial, or account-recovery verifications.

We do not ask who requested a code and we cannot tie a message on a public number back to you. Anyone else browsing that inbox sees the same messages you do.

When you browse InstantSMS we collect standard web server logs: IP address, browser and device type, referring page, pages visited, and timestamps. These are used for security, abuse prevention, and rate limiting.

When you submit the contact form we store the name, email address, subject, and message you provide, so we can reply and keep a record of the conversation. That data is used only to answer you and is not sold or used for marketing.

If you register for API access or a private number, we store the account identifiers you provide (such as an email address) and the authentication credentials you register (such as a passkey).

Saved numbers and saved countries are kept in your own browser using localStorage. They never reach our servers and are cleared when you clear your browser data.

We use cookies and similar technologies for essential site functionality such as session management and cross-site request protection, and for the analytics and advertising purposes described below.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking essential cookies may break parts of the site, such as submitting the contact form.

We use third party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit InstantSMS. These companies may use information about your visits to this and other websites, but not your name, address, email address, or telephone number, in order to provide advertisements about goods and services that may interest you.

Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to InstantSMS and/or other sites on the internet.

You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of a third party vendor's use of cookies for personalised advertising at aboutads.info or, in Europe, at Your Online Choices.

For more information on how Google uses data when you use our site, see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services.

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages people find useful, and Microsoft Clarity to record aggregated interaction data such as scrolling and clicks so we can fix broken layouts. Both set their own cookies and receive your IP address and browser information.

You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. Details of Microsoft's handling are in the Microsoft Privacy Statement.

SMS messages on public numbers are retained for a limited period and are removed when a number is recycled or pruned. Contact form submissions are kept while the enquiry is open and for a reasonable period afterwards for reference. Server logs rotate on a short cycle. Account data is kept while the account remains active or as required by law.

InstantSMS is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has sent us personal data through the contact form, email us and we will delete it.

You can ask what personal data we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. Because the site works without an account, in most cases the only record we hold is a contact form submission.

Privacy questions, opt-out requests, and deletion requests can be sent to [email protected]. We reply within 2 business days.

We may update this policy as the services we use change. The date at the top of this page always reflects the current version.