Privacy Policy

Akhbaar ("Akhbaar", "we", "us", or "our") provides a newspaper reading application that allows users to access and read newspaper content through the App, including content made available through third-party newspaper websites and services.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and retain it, and the choices available to you when you use the Akhbaar application (the "App").

By using Akhbaar, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information you provide when creating an account

When you create and use an Akhbaar account, we may collect and store:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number, if you choose to provide one
• Country code associated with a phone number you provide
• Date of birth, if you choose to provide it
• Password credentials
• Topic preferences that you select within the App

Passwords are not stored in plain text. They are securely hashed using BCrypt.

1.2 Third-party sign-in

Akhbaar allows you to sign in using third-party authentication services, including Google Sign-In and Sign in with Apple.

When you use one of these services, we receive information made available to us by the respective provider, which may include your name and email address. We use this information to create and maintain your Akhbaar account.

Your use of Google or Apple authentication is also subject to the respective provider's privacy practices and terms.

1.3 Newspaper subscription information

For certain newspaper reading functionality, you may voluntarily provide information demonstrating that you have an existing subscription to a third-party newspaper service.

For example, you may provide a screenshot of a subscription or payment confirmation email. This information may include:

• The email address used for the newspaper subscription
• Subscription or purchase information
• Subscription date or dates
• Other information contained in the confirmation you provide

We use this information to verify your eligibility for the relevant functionality within Akhbaar.

The screenshot or other proof you provide is retained in our email account for this purpose. We store relevant subscription dates in our database.

Please do not provide unnecessary financial or payment information when submitting proof of subscription.

2. Information Generated Through Use of the App

API and operational logs

Because authenticated requests to our servers are associated with your Akhbaar account, our systems currently maintain logs of API requests.

These logs may include:

• Your Akhbaar user ID
• Date and time of the request
• API endpoint requested
• Request parameters
• Request body
• Response status
• Response time

These logs do not currently include your IP address or request headers.

API logs are retained for up to 90 days, after which they are deleted as part of our normal cleanup process.

3. Information We Do Not Currently Collect

At the time this Privacy Policy was last updated, Akhbaar does not currently collect or use the following categories of information for analytics or tracking:

• Your newspaper reading history or which newspapers you access
• Session duration
• Screen or feature usage information
• Search history
• IP addresses
• Device model information
• Operating system information
• App/device identifiers for advertising or tracking
• Crash-reporting information

If our data practices materially change in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy and provide any notices or obtain any consent required by applicable law.

4. Third-Party Newspaper Websites

Akhbaar may provide access to third-party newspaper websites through an in-app web view.

When you use a third-party newspaper website through Akhbaar, that website may independently collect information, use cookies, maintain login sessions, or otherwise process information according to its own privacy policy and terms.

Akhbaar does not have access to the login credentials or authentication tokens used by those third-party newspaper websites.

Cookies and similar information stored by those websites in the App's web view remain local to the App and are not accessible to Akhbaar's backend. These locally stored web view cookies are cleared when you log out of Akhbaar or delete the App.

Your interactions with third-party newspaper websites are also subject to those websites' own terms and privacy policies.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described in this Privacy Policy for purposes including:

• Creating and maintaining your Akhbaar account
• Authenticating your account
• Providing the App and its functionality
• Remembering and applying your selected topic preferences
• Personalizing your experience within the App based on your selected preferences
• Verifying eligibility for functionality that requires proof of an existing newspaper subscription
• Communicating with you regarding your account or requests
• Maintaining and operating our systems
• Responding to support requests
• Processing account deletion requests
• Protecting the security and integrity of the App and our systems

We do not currently use your information for targeted advertising or behavioral advertising.

6. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to:

• Provide services and operate the App
• Respond to your requests
• Comply with applicable law, legal process, or lawful governmental requests
• Protect our rights, users, or the security of our services
• Prevent fraud, abuse, or other unlawful activity

We may also receive information from Google or Apple when you choose to use their authentication services, as described above.

Third-party newspaper websites that you access through the App may independently process information according to their own practices. Such processing is outside Akhbaar's control.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your Akhbaar account remains active.

When you request deletion of your account, your account and associated personal information will be permanently deleted, subject to information that we may be required or permitted to retain as described below.

API and usage logs may remain for up to 90 days before being deleted through our normal cleanup process.

Information may also be retained where reasonably necessary to:

• Comply with applicable legal obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Prevent or investigate fraud or abuse
• Protect our legal rights or legitimate business interests

8. Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your Akhbaar account at any time.

From the App

1. Go to Profile > Edit.
2. Under the Security section, select the option to delete your account.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the deletion process.

By Email

If you cannot access the App, email us at contact@akhbaar.co from the email address linked to your account.

Use the subject line Account Deletion Request.

We will verify your identity and process your request within 30 days.

What happens when you delete your account

Deleting your account permanently deletes your account and associated personal information.

API logs associated with your account may remain for up to 90 days before they are deleted.

Some information may also be retained where required by law, to resolve disputes, enforce our Terms of Service, or for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention.

9. Security

We take reasonable measures designed to protect the personal information we maintain from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Passwords are securely hashed using BCrypt rather than stored in plain text.

However, no method of transmitting or storing information can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

10. Children's Privacy

Akhbaar is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children in circumstances where such collection is prohibited by applicable law.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us in violation of applicable law, please contact us at contact@akhbaar.co.

11. Your Rights

Depending on where you live and the laws applicable to you, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including rights to:

• Request access to information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your account and personal information
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Raise a concern or complaint regarding our handling of your information

To exercise a privacy-related right or make an inquiry, contact us at contact@akhbaar.co.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as Akhbaar's services, technology, or legal requirements change.

When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy.

If we make a material change to how we collect, use, or otherwise process personal information, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent where required by applicable law.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:

Email: contact@akhbaar.co

Domain: akhbaar.co