This Privacy Policy explains how Neutral Perspectives ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, and safeguards information when you use the Neutral News mobile application and neutralperspectives.com (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you agree to the practices described below. Neutral News is designed to be privacy-respecting: we do not require an account, do not ask for your name or phone number, and do not sell or rent any information to third parties.
1.Data Controller
Neutral Perspectives is the data controller responsible for any personal information processed through the Service. We are a small group of individuals operating this Service. For any privacy inquiry, contact contact@neutralperspectives.com.
2.What We Collect
We keep this short on purpose. Only the items below leave your device:
- Anonymous device identifier a random Firebase UID, not linked to your name or any other identity.
- Push notification token + your selected news regions so we can route the alerts you opted in to. Resets when you reinstall the app.
- Crash diagnostics device model, OS version, and stack traces via Firebase Crashlytics. No article content or personal text is included.
- Anonymous usage signals aggregate app-open, session, and feature-use events via Firebase Analytics. No advertising identifiers, no cross-app tracking, no individual profiling. Used to understand overall app health and which features people use.
- Reports you submit only if you use the in-app "Report an Issue" form (email, category, description, optional screenshot).
- Approximate country code a two-letter code (e.g. IN, US) derived once at first launch from your IP, used to suggest a relevant news region. We never store the IP itself, and the signal is used in aggregate only.
- Device timezone the timezone reported by your device's operating system, used to time notifications around your local active hours. Not GPS, IP, or location tracking.
- Play Integrity signal a Google anti-abuse check that confirms a genuine install. No personal data collected.
Your other settings (theme, text size, quiet hours, notification frequency) and your reading history are stored only on your device and never sent to our servers. We do not collect your precise location, IP address, contacts, photos outside screenshots you choose to attach, microphone audio, biometrics, SMS, call logs, browsing history, or any special-category personal data.
3.How We Use This Data
- To operate the Service deliver the feed, sync preferences, and cache content for offline reading.
- To send notifications deliver the push alerts you have enabled, respecting your quiet hours and daily cap.
- To diagnose crashes and improve stability investigate reports from Crashlytics and prioritize fixes.
- To understand aggregate usage review which features people use and where the app is unstable, in aggregate only never tied to your device identifier.
- To triage user reports read and respond to feedback, bug reports, and content flags you submit through the in-app form.
- To protect the Service detect abuse, fraud, and automated scraping using integrity signals.
4.Legal Basis (GDPR)
Where the General Data Protection Regulation applies, we process data on the following bases: performance of a contract (operating the Service you requested), legitimate interest (security, stability, and product improvement), and consent (for push notifications and any optional attachments you submit).
5.Third-Party Processors
We rely on the following processors, each bound by their own terms and applicable data-processing agreements:
- Google / Firebase Anonymous Authentication, Firestore, Cloud Storage, Cloud Functions, Cloud Messaging (FCM), Crashlytics, Analytics (aggregate usage signals only, no advertising identifiers), App Check, and Firebase Hosting. Data may be stored in Firebase's regional infrastructure.
- Google Play Store application distribution and integrity verification.
We do not sell personal information.
6.Third-Party News Sources
The Service links to articles hosted on external publishers' websites. When you open such a link in the in-app browser or in your default browser, you leave our Service and your activity is governed by that publisher's privacy policy.
7.Data Retention
- Anonymous device records and preferences are retained for as long as the app is installed and for up to 12 months after last use, after which they are deleted.
- Crash diagnostics are retained by Crashlytics for up to 90 days.
- Reports you submit are retained for up to 24 months to support follow-up and product improvement, after which they are deleted or anonymized.
- Cached article content on your device is retained per your settings and cleared on uninstall.
8.Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, or port your personal data, and to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these rights, or to request deletion of a report you submitted, email contact@neutralperspectives.com from the email address used in your report. Because most use of the Service is anonymous, we may be unable to identify or respond to requests for data we cannot link to you.
9.Security
We use industry-standard measures including TLS in transit, Firestore and Cloud Storage security rules, App Check attestation, and least-privilege access controls. No system is perfectly secure, and we cannot guarantee the security of data transmitted over the internet.
10.Children's Privacy
The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has submitted information, contact us and we will delete it.
11.International Transfers
Data may be processed in countries other than your own, in regions where Google operates Firebase infrastructure. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.
12.Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be indicated by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, by an in-app notice.
Governing Law:
This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the developer's home jurisdiction, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Policy is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of competent jurisdiction in the developer's home jurisdiction.
Contact
Privacy questions, deletion requests, or concerns? Reach us at contact@neutralperspectives.com.