This policy covers the newsapp24 news app, the newsapp24 Reporter app and the website newsapp24.com (together, “newsapp24”, “we”). It explains what we collect, why, who else handles it, how long we keep it and how you can see, correct or delete it. Questions or requests: support@newsapp24.com.
In short
- You never need a password. Each app creates an account tied to your phone the first time you open it.
- We do not sell personal data, and we do not use third-party ad networks or advertising IDs.
- Reporters give us their Aadhaar details so we can verify who they are. We read the card on our own servers and do not share it with verification companies.
- You can delete your account at any time from the app’s settings. See how to delete your account.
What we collect in the news app and on the website
- A device key. The app creates a random key on your phone that identifies your account. We store only a one-way hash of it. Clearing the app’s data starts a new account.
- Details you choose to add. Your name, and one mobile number or email address. These are contact details only; they are never used to sign in.
- Your choices. Language, state, district, mandal or locality, and the topics you follow.
- Approximate location, only if you ask. If you tap to detect your district and allow location access, your phone looks up the place name and we may receive the coordinates to match your district. We save the district or locality, not a history of where you have been.
- What you do in the app. Stories you read, save or hide, reactions, comments, poll votes, and birthday wishes you send (including the names and photos you add to them).
- Notifications. A push token from Firebase Cloud Messaging, so we can send the alerts you turn on.
- Diagnostics. Crash reports and performance measurements (device model, operating system, app version and what went wrong), through Firebase Crashlytics and Performance Monitoring.
- On the website. No account is created. Your browser remembers your theme choice, and our servers log requests (IP address, browser type, page) to keep the site secure and stop abuse.
What we also collect in the Reporter app
- Identity verification. Your Aadhaar number, a photo of the front of your Aadhaar card, and if you add them, a photo of the back and a selfie. Our servers read the text on the card (OCR) to check that it shows the number you typed and that you are at least 18. Our review team looks at the photos to approve your application. Your Aadhaar is used only to verify your identity as a reporter.
- Your stories. Text, photos, videos and, if you allow location access, where the story happened. Voice typing uses your phone’s own speech service (on most Android phones, Google’s); we receive only the resulting text.
- Payouts. Your UPI ID or bank account holder name, account number and IFSC, your PAN, and your points, earnings and payout history.
How we use it
- To run the apps: load news in your language, show local stories for your area and keep your saved stories.
- To send the notifications you have turned on.
- To verify reporters, review and publish their stories, and pay them.
- To moderate comments and keep newsapp24 safe from spam, fraud and abuse.
- To fix crashes and make the apps faster.
- To meet legal obligations, such as tax records for payouts.
Ads in the news app are placed by newsapp24 and chosen by language, place and topic. We count how often an ad is shown and tapped; we do not build advertising profiles or share your data with advertisers.
Who else handles it
We share personal data only with providers that run part of the service for us, and only what they need:
- Google Firebase: push notifications, crash reports and performance data.
- Cloudflare: storage and delivery of photos and videos.
- AI providers (Google Gemini, NVIDIA): to translate, summarise and check story text and to help moderate comments. They receive text, never identity documents.
- Our bank or payment provider: your payout details, when we send you money.
Comments you post are public, and published stories show the reporter’s name. We may disclose data when the law requires it, for example in response to a valid order from an Indian court or authority.
How long we keep it
- Account details, choices and activity: until you delete your account.
- Verification photos and your Aadhaar number: only while needed to review your application and run your reporter account, and never after you delete your account.
- Payout and earnings records: for as long as Indian tax and accounting law requires (generally up to eight years), even after you delete your account.
- Server logs and crash reports: for a limited period, for security and fixing problems.
Deleting your account
In either app, open Settings and choose Delete account. Reporters who have not been approved yet can do the same from the menu on the verification screen. Deletion removes your device key, contact details, choices, history, saved stories, notifications, push token, verification details and photos, payout details, unpublished stories and the text of your comments. Published stories stay on newsapp24 as part of the news record, credited to “Reporter”. Payout records are kept as described above. Full details are on the account deletion page.
Your rights
Under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, you can ask us for a summary of the personal data we hold about you, ask us to correct or complete it, ask us to erase it, and nominate someone to exercise these rights if you die or become unable to. Most of this you can do yourself in the app; for anything else, email support@newsapp24.com from the contact details on your account or tell us your account details from the app. We reply within 30 days. If you are not satisfied, you can complain to the Data Protection Board of India.
Children
The news app is a general news service and is not directed at children. The Reporter app is only for adults aged 18 or over, which we check during verification. If you believe a child has given us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.
Security
All traffic between the apps and our servers is encrypted (HTTPS). Device keys are stored only as hashes, and access to identity documents is limited to staff who review applications. No system is perfectly secure; if a breach affects your data we will tell you and the authorities as the law requires.
Changes to this policy
When we change this policy we update the date at the top. If a change is significant, we will also let you know in the app.
Contact and grievances
For privacy questions, requests and complaints, write to our grievance officer at support@newsapp24.com. We acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days.