Privacy

LightNews Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 20, 2026

Welcome to LightNews (www.lightnews.app). We respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how LightNews ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you use our website and services.

Summary

  • Use without an account: You can use LightNews without telling us who you are. In that case we do not collect personally identifiable information.
  • Optional sign-in: If you sign in via Google, Apple, Bluesky, or email, we collect the minimal information needed to authenticate you and provide account features (for example: name, handle/username, and email).
  • Saved items: Your subscribed scholars, saved search topics, and edition preferences are stored to your account or browser. These are private by default and can be made public only if you opt in.
  • Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure traffic and understand how the site is used.

Information We Collect

Without an account: We do not collect or store personally identifiable information. You can browse LightNews without creating an account.

With an account: If you choose to sign in, we collect the minimal information necessary to authenticate you and provide features, such as your name, handle/username, and email address (when provided by your sign-in provider). We also store the items you save in the product (for example, your subscribed scholars and saved search topics).

Accounts and Sign-In

You may sign in to LightNews via the following third-party providers:

  • Google OAuth: We receive your name, email address, and profile picture from Google. We use this solely to create and maintain your account. See Google's Privacy Policy.
  • Apple Sign In: We receive your name and email (or a private relay email) from Apple. Apple may allow you to hide your real email. See Apple's Privacy Policy.
  • Bluesky: We receive your handle, display name, and DID from the AT Protocol. We use provider-issued credentials to make requests to Bluesky's APIs on your behalf.
  • Email: We collect your email address and use it to send a sign-in link. We do not store passwords.

You may disconnect a sign-in method at any time; doing so may limit functionality that depends on that provider.

Data Collection and Usage

We collect and process the following categories of data:

  • Account data: Name, email, handle/username, and unique identifiers from sign-in providers.
  • Feature data: Subscribed scholars, saved search topics, edition preferences, and digest settings you choose to save.
  • Usage data: Pages visited, browser type, device information, and general interaction patterns (collected via Google Analytics).
  • Technical data: IP address, browser user-agent, and session cookies necessary to operate the service.

Feature Data You Save

We store product-specific data that you choose to save, including your subscribed scholars and saved search topics. These are private by default. You may opt in to make some or all of this information public. You can change this setting at any time.

Bluesky Functionality

If you connect a Bluesky account, you can use Bluesky functionality through LightNews. When you initiate Bluesky actions in the app (such as viewing or interacting with content), we use provider-issued credentials to make requests to Bluesky's APIs on your behalf. We do not post or take actions without your initiation, and we do not store Bluesky content beyond what is necessary to provide the requested functionality.

Cookies

LightNews uses the following types of cookies:

  • Essential cookies: Required to operate the site, maintain your session, and keep you signed in. These cannot be disabled.
  • Analytics cookies: Set by Google Analytics to measure traffic and understand usage patterns. You can control these in your browser settings or use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

For a complete list of cookies, their purposes, and retention periods, see our Cookie Policy.

Local Storage

We use your browser's local storage to remember your preferred edition of LightNews. This preference is stored anonymously on your device and is not transmitted to our servers.

Third-Party Services

LightNews integrates with the following third-party services:

These services may collect data according to their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review them.

Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required by law to retain it.

Your Choices

  • Browser controls: You can block or delete cookies and local storage data in your browser settings.
  • Analytics opt-out: Use the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on or your browser settings.
  • Saved items visibility: Your subscribed scholars and saved search topics are private by default. You can opt in to make them public, or change back to private at any time.
  • Account management: You can disconnect sign-in providers and request deletion of your account data.

Children's Privacy

LightNews is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us so we can promptly delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Your continued use of LightNews after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at [email protected].