Privacy Policy for Indie Hackers & Side Projects
You shipped your side project over the weekend. Users are signing up. Stripe is connected. Google Analytics is tracking page views. But there's a problem: you don't have a privacy policy. GDPR and CCPA don't care that you're a solo developer working from your apartment — if you collect user data, you're legally required to have one. Here's everything you need to know, and how to get compliant in under 2 minutes.
Generate Your Privacy Policy in 2 Minutes
Built for indie hackers who ship fast. PolicyForge creates customized, GDPR-compliant privacy policies tailored to your tech stack — Stripe, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Vercel, and more. No legal jargon. No lawyer fees. Starting at $4.99.
Why Indie Hackers Can't Skip the Privacy Policy
The indie hacker ethos is to move fast — ship the MVP, validate, iterate. Legal compliance often gets skipped. But the moment your project touches user data, you're subject to privacy regulations. GDPR enforcement doesn't distinguish between a Fortune 500 company and a side project with 50 users.
“It's just a side project”
Privacy laws don't have a “side project exemption.” If you collect an email address, log an IP, or use a cookie, you're processing personal data. Period. It doesn't matter if you have 10 users or 10 million.
“I don't collect any data”
You almost certainly do. Your hosting provider logs IP addresses. If you use any analytics tool, it collects device info, location data, and browsing behavior. A contact form collects names and emails. Even a static site on Vercel or Netlify generates server logs with personal data.
“Nobody actually enforces this”
GDPR enforcement has resulted in over €4 billion in fines since 2018. CCPA enforcement is accelerating. And beyond regulators, platforms enforce compliance too — Stripe, the App Store, Google AdSense, and ad networks all require privacy policies. No policy often means no account.
Tools Indie Hackers Use That Require a Privacy Policy
If you use any of these tools — and most indie hackers use several — you need a privacy policy that discloses the data they collect on your behalf.
| Tool / Service | Data Collected | Policy Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Name, email, card details, billing address, IP | Yes — required by Stripe TOS |
| Google Analytics | IP address, device info, location, browsing behavior | Yes — required by Google TOS |
| Mailchimp / ConvertKit | Email, name, open/click tracking, IP | Yes — GDPR consent required |
| Vercel / Netlify | IP address, request headers, server logs | Yes — server logs are personal data |
| Supabase / Firebase | Auth data, user profiles, usage logs | Yes — stores personal data |
| Resend / SendGrid | Email addresses, delivery/open tracking | Yes — processes personal data |
| Google AdSense | Cookies, browsing history, demographics | Yes — account rejected without policy |
This is not exhaustive. Any third-party service that processes user data on your behalf must be disclosed in your privacy policy. When in doubt, include it.
Platforms That Block You Without a Privacy Policy
A privacy policy isn't just legally required — it's a hard prerequisite for the platforms indie hackers depend on:
Apple & Google App Stores
Both require a privacy policy URL before publishing. Apple also requires privacy nutrition labels. Missing policy = app rejected during review.
Stripe & Payment Processors
Stripe's TOS requires a privacy policy on your website. Accounts have been suspended for non-compliance. No policy = no payments.
Google AdSense & Ad Networks
AdSense applications are rejected without a visible privacy policy. Google requires cookie disclosure and a link to their own privacy practices.
Chrome Web Store & Directories
Extensions need a privacy policy URL. Product directories check for one too. No policy signals amateurism and blocks your listing.
What Your Side Project Privacy Policy Must Include
It doesn't need to be 20 pages of legalese. But it does need to be accurate. Here are the essentials:
Who you are — Name, contact email, physical address (PO Box works for solo devs)
What data you collect and why — Emails, IPs, payment info, usage data. Be specific about each type.
Third-party services — Stripe, Google Analytics, Supabase, Vercel, Resend. Link to each service's privacy policy.
Cookies and tracking — What cookies you set, what they do, how to opt out. EU users need prior consent for non-essential cookies.
User rights — Access, correct, delete, export data. Withdraw consent. Opt out of data sales (CCPA).
Retention, transfers, contact — How long data is kept, legal basis for international transfers, working contact email.
The Indie Hacker's Privacy Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist before you launch. It takes 15 minutes to go through and could save you from fines, account freezes, and app rejections.
Privacy policy page — Published at /privacy or /privacy-policy, linked from footer on every page
All third-party services listed — Stripe, analytics, hosting, email, auth, database, support tools
Cookie consent banner — Required for EU users if you use non-essential cookies (analytics, marketing)
Contact email for privacy inquiries — Visible in your privacy policy, reachable and monitored
Data deletion process — Document how users can request their data be deleted, and actually honor it
Terms of service page — Separate from privacy policy; covers usage rules, liability, and acceptable use. Generate one with PolicyForge ToS Generator
Consent & platform URLs — Signup consent checkbox (don't pre-check for EU), and privacy policy URL added to App Store / Google Play if applicable
Not sure if your site is compliant? Run a free compliance scan to find gaps in your privacy setup.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong (vs. Getting It Right)
| Risk | Potential Cost |
|---|---|
| GDPR fine | Up to €20,000,000 |
| CCPA violation | $2,500 - $7,500 per incident |
| Stripe account suspended | Revenue frozen until resolved |
| App Store rejection | Launch delayed days to weeks |
| AdSense application denied | Lost ad revenue |
| User trust damage | Churn, bad reviews, reputation loss |
Cost of PolicyForge Starter: $4.99 (one-time). Generate a customized, compliant privacy policy in under 2 minutes. Or get Pro for $12.99 — unlimited privacy policies, terms of service, and cookie policies for all your projects. No subscription.
Why Indie Hackers Choose PolicyForge
Most privacy policy tools are built for enterprises with legal teams and compliance budgets. PolicyForge is built for people who ship side projects on weekends.
- ✓One-time payment — $4.99 Starter or $12.99 Pro. No subscription. Termly charges $10/month ($120/year). Iubenda charges $29/year.
- ✓2-minute generation — Answer a few questions, get a complete, customized policy. No legal expertise or 30-minute questionnaires.
- ✓Built for your tech stack — Stripe, Vercel, Supabase, Firebase, Google Analytics, Plausible, Resend, Mailchimp — accurate disclosures for each.
- ✓Unlimited for all your projects — Pro gives you unlimited generations for every side project, SaaS, and app in your portfolio.
- ✓Privacy + ToS + cookies — Generate terms of service, cookie policies, and privacy policies from one tool.
- ✓Free compliance scanner —Scan your site for free and get an instant compliance report. No signup.
FAQ: Privacy Policies for Indie Hackers
Do I need a privacy policy for my side project?
Yes. If your side project collects any user data — even just an email address for a waitlist, analytics via Google Analytics or Plausible, or payments through Stripe — you are legally required to have a privacy policy under GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations. These laws apply regardless of company size, revenue, or whether your project is a hobby or a business.
Does GDPR apply to indie hackers and solo developers?
Yes. GDPR applies to anyone who processes personal data of EU residents, regardless of where you are located or how big your company is. If even one person from the EU visits your site and you collect their IP address via analytics, GDPR applies to you. Fines can reach up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover.
Can I just use a free template I found online?
Generic templates are risky because they don't reflect your specific data practices. A privacy policy must describe what data you collect and which services you use. PolicyForge generates a customized policy based on your actual tech stack.
What happens if I launch without a privacy policy?
App stores reject your app, Stripe may freeze your account, you face GDPR fines up to €20 million or CCPA fines of $2,500-$7,500 per violation, and ad networks deny your application.
How much does a privacy policy cost for a solo developer?
A lawyer charges $500-$2,000. SaaS tools like Termly charge $10-$40/month. PolicyForge is a one-time $4.99 (Starter) or $12.99 (Pro, unlimited) — no recurring costs.
Do I need one if my side project is free?
Yes. Whether you charge money has no bearing on privacy law. If your free app collects IP addresses, emails, or uses analytics cookies, you need a privacy policy.
I use Vercel/Netlify. Do I still need a privacy policy?
Yes. Hosting platforms automatically collect server logs with IP addresses and user agents — that's personal data under GDPR. Add Vercel Analytics and you're collecting even more.
Related Resources
- Privacy Policy for Startups — Scaling beyond a side project? Read the startup guide.
- Privacy Policy for SaaS — Specific requirements for subscription apps.
- GDPR Compliance Checklist — Full checklist beyond privacy policies.
- Best Free Privacy Policy Generators — Compare PolicyForge with other tools.
Ship Compliant. Ship Today.
You didn't become an indie hacker to spend hours on legal docs. PolicyForge generates a customized, GDPR-compliant privacy policy for your project in under 2 minutes. Get back to building.
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