Last updated: August 21, 2026
Hound is built by people who care about privacy. This policy explains what data the Hound agent and the houndav.com website collect, and what they do not.
The Hound agent runs locally on your machine. It does not collect telemetry, usage analytics, or crash reports. It does not transmit the contents of your files, scan results, quarantine events, or any information about your system to us or to any third party.
The only network request the agent makes is fetching signed definition packs from defs.houndav.com (or a mirror you configure). These requests contain:
We do not correlate definition update requests to individual users, and we do not build profiles from them. Server access logs are retained for up to 30 days for operational purposes (debugging, abuse prevention) and then deleted.
You can run Hound fully offline by importing definitions from a file. In this mode, no network requests are made at all.
The houndav.com website is a static site. It does not use cookies, tracking pixels, analytics services, or third-party scripts that monitor your behavior. We do not use Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, or similar tools.
The web server (Caddy) writes standard access logs that include your IP address, the page you requested, and your browser's User-Agent string. These logs are used solely for operational monitoring and are retained for up to 30 days.
The website loads fonts from Google Fonts. Google's privacy policy governs those requests.
Package downloads are served as static files. The same access logging described above applies. We do not require an account, email address, or any personal information to download Hound.
If you purchase a Pro or Fleet subscription, we collect the information necessary to process your payment and deliver the service: your email address, billing information, and a license key tied to your account. Payment processing is handled by a third-party provider; we do not store full credit card numbers.
We use your email address to send you license keys, billing receipts, and critical security notices. We do not send marketing emails unless you explicitly opt in.
Server access logs: up to 30 days. Subscription account data: retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward as required for billing records and legal obligations. You can request deletion of your account data by contacting us.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete personal data we hold about you. Because we collect very little, in most cases there is little to nothing to disclose. Contact us and we will respond within 30 days.
Hound is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
If we change this policy in a material way, we will update the date at the top and note the change on the website. We will not retroactively reduce your privacy protections without your consent.
For privacy questions or data requests: privacy@houndav.com