This Privacy Policy explains how Hacker News Signal handles information when you use the Hacker News Signal iOS and iPadOS app (the “App”).
Summary
Hacker News Signal does not require an account and does not operate an analytics, advertising, tracking, or user-profile backend. The App does not collect personal information for the developer. Stories, reading history, queue items, preferences, and cached reader content are stored locally on your device.
The App does connect to Hacker News and to websites linked from Hacker News. Those services may process network information, such as your IP address, under their own privacy policies.
Information stored on your device
The App stores the following information locally so its features work:
- Stories you add to your reading queue.
- Stories recorded in your reading history.
- App preferences, such as theme, feed, layout, and widget settings.
- Cached feed, story, comment, and Reader content used to improve loading and offline continuity.
- Data needed to refresh the App’s Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets.
This information is stored on the device and is not sent to a Hacker News Signal server. You can remove queue and history entries using the App’s controls, and deleting the App removes its local storage subject to the behavior of your device backups.
Network connections
When you browse the App, it makes requests to:
- The public Hacker News API to retrieve stories, comments, rankings, and related public metadata.
- The original article websites linked from Hacker News when you open an article or use Reader mode.
These requests are made from your device. The operators of those services, as well as network providers, may receive technical information needed to deliver the request, including an IP address, browser or WebView information, and request timestamps. Their handling of that information is governed by their own privacy policies. Hacker News Signal does not operate a proxy or server that collects this information for the developer.
Reader mode extracts and formats article content on your device. It does not send article content to a Hacker News Signal extraction service.
Sharing and opening links
If you choose to open an article in Safari or use the system share sheet, the selected URL is sent to the browser, operating system, or share destination you choose. This is an action you initiate, and the recipient’s privacy policy applies.
Third-party services
The App displays content from Hacker News and from third-party article websites. Those services may use cookies, logs, analytics, or other technologies when their content is requested or displayed. Hacker News Signal does not control those services and does not receive their internal logs or account data.
Apple may also process information under Apple’s own privacy policy, including information associated with App Store distribution, device backups, and system services. Hacker News Signal does not control Apple’s processing.
Information the App does not collect
The App does not collect or maintain developer-controlled accounts, names, email addresses, passwords, contacts, photos, precise location, payment information, advertising identifiers, or analytics profiles. The App does not sell personal information, use personal information for advertising, or track users across apps and websites.
Children’s privacy
The App is not directed to children under 13, and it does not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information to the developer, please contact us so we can review the request.
Security and retention
We use the operating system’s local storage mechanisms for information kept on your device. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and the security of third-party websites and network services is outside our control.
Local App data remains on your device until you remove it through the App, delete the App, or the operating system removes it. If your device backs up App data, that backup is handled according to your device and Apple account settings.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when the App’s behavior or legal requirements change. The “publishedAt” date on this page indicates the latest revision date. Continued use of the App after an update means the revised policy applies to future use.
Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or Hacker News Signal, please contact the developer through the Hacker News Signal project repository.