Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 5, 2025 Product: LightRead (the "App") Contact:revok117@hotmail.com

We value your privacy. This policy explains what data the App and its third-party partners collect, process, and how it is used.

1. Data We Collect and Process

a) Information You Provide

The App does not require you to create an account or provide any personal information such as your name, email, or phone number.

b) Data Stored Locally on Your Device

The App has no backend server. All user data is stored locally on your device using iOS UserDefaults:

• Read history: IDs of articles you have opened, used locally to mark them as "read." Automatically cleared after 2 days.

• Source blacklist: List of news sources you choose to hide (retained until manually cleared or app is reinstalled).

• Category cache: Cached news lists to improve loading speed (~30 minutes per category).

• App preferences: Settings like theme (light/dark mode).

None of this data leaves your device or is shared with us or any third parties.

c) Advertising Identifier (IDFA)

The App uses Google AdMob to display advertisements. When you grant tracking permission through the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt:

• If you allow tracking: Your Advertising Identifier (IDFA) may be collected by Google AdMob to show you personalized ads based on your interests across apps and websites.

• If you deny tracking: Only non-personalized ads (contextual ads based on app content) will be shown. Your IDFA will not be collected or used for tracking.

You can change your tracking preference at any time:

• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking on your iOS device

• Toggle tracking permission for LightRead

What is IDFA? The Advertising Identifier (IDFA) is a random device identifier assigned by Apple to a user's device. It is used by advertisers to deliver personalized ads and measure ad performance.

d) Third-Party Services

Google AdMob (Advertising)

• Purpose: Display ads to support free access to the app

• Data collected (only if you allow tracking):

  • Advertising Identifier (IDFA)

  • Device information (device model, OS version)

  • Ad interaction data (views, clicks)

• Data collected (if you deny tracking):

  • Limited device information for non-personalized ads

  • No IDFA or cross-app tracking data

• Privacy Policy: Google AdMob Privacy Policy

SerpAPI (News Source)

• Purpose: Fetch public Google News results

• Data processed:

  • IP address (required to deliver news results)

  • Region and language settings (to show relevant news)

  • No personal information or tracking identifiers

• Privacy Policy: SerpAPI Privacy Policy

External Websites (In-App Browser)

When you open a news article, it loads in an in-app browser (Safari View Controller or WebView). These external websites:

• May use cookies or tracking technologies

• Are governed by their own privacy policies

• Are not controlled by LightRead

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with any third parties.

2. Purposes of Processing

We process data for the following purposes:

1. Provide and operate the App: Fetch news, cache content, show read status

2. Display advertising: Show personalized or non-personalized ads based on your tracking preference

3. Improve performance: Cache news to reduce loading times

4. Respect your preferences: Remember hidden sources and theme settings

3. App Tracking Transparency (ATT)

As required by Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework, the App will request your permission before tracking your activity across other companies' apps and websites.

When You First Launch the App

You will see a system prompt asking:

"Allow 'LightRead' to track your activity across other companies' apps and websites?"

Message: "This app uses advertising to provide free content. Your data is used to show you personalized ads and improve your experience."

Your Choices:

• Allow: Personalized ads based on your interests and activity

• Ask App Not to Track: Non-personalized ads only

How to Change Your Choice Later

1. Open Settings on your iOS device

2. Go to Privacy & Security → Tracking

3. Find LightRead and toggle the switch

4. Data Retention

Data Type

Retention Period

Read history

2 days (automatically deleted)

Category cache

~30 minutes (automatically refreshed)

Source blacklist

Until manually cleared or app reinstalled

App preferences

Until app is uninstalled

IDFA (if tracking allowed)

Managed by Google AdMob (see their policy)

Third-party data retention: Governed by their respective privacy policies (see links above).

5. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: All your data is stored locally on your device and can be viewed in the app

• Delete: Uninstall the app to remove all local data

• Opt-out of tracking: Deny tracking permission in iOS Settings → Privacy → Tracking

• Control ads: Choose between personalized or non-personalized ads via ATT prompt

To reset all local data: Delete and reinstall the app. This will clear all read history, preferences, and cached content.

6. Children's Privacy

The App is not directed toward children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

If you believe a child has provided data inadvertently, please contact us at revok117@hotmail.com and we will assist in addressing the issue.

7. International Data Transfers

If you use the App outside the United States:

• Google AdMob: May transfer data to servers in the U.S. or other countries (governed by their privacy policy)

• SerpAPI: May process your IP address on servers located in various regions to deliver news results

• Local data: Remains on your device only

8. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your data:

• No backend server: Your preferences and history never leave your device

• Secure connections: All network requests use HTTPS

• Third-party security: AdMob and SerpAPI maintain their own security practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy as features, regulations, or third-party services change. Any updates will be reflected in the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy.

Material changes will be notified through:

• An in-app notice (if applicable)

• Updated policy posted on our website

Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA):

We process data based on:

1. Consent: When you allow tracking via ATT prompt

2. Legitimate interests: To provide the app, display ads, and improve performance

3. Compliance with legal obligations: To comply with applicable laws

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time through iOS Settings → Privacy → Tracking.

11. Contact Us

Questions, requests, or concerns about your privacy:

📧 Email: revok117@hotmail.com

For specific requests:

• Data access: Contact us to understand what data we process

• Data deletion: Uninstall the app to remove all local data

• Tracking opt-out: Use iOS Settings → Privacy → Tracking

• Other questions: Email us at the address above

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.

12. Third-Party Privacy Policies

For complete information about how third-party services handle your data:

• Google AdMob: https://policies.google.com/privacy

• Google AdMob Data Processing Terms:https://privacy.google.com/businesses/processorterms/

• SerpAPI: https://serpapi.com/privacy

Summary

✅ We do not collect personal information (name, email, etc.) ✅ All preferences stored locally on your device ✅ You control tracking via App Tracking Transparency ✅ Personalized ads only if you allow tracking ✅ Non-personalized ads if you deny tracking ✅ No backend server – your data stays on your device ✅ Contact us anytimeat revok117@hotmail.com

Last updated: October 5, 2025 Effective date: October 5, 2025