This policy explains what information Brief Aloud uses, why it is needed, how long it is kept and what you can delete.
Who this policy covers
This policy covers Brief Aloud. In this policy, “Brief Aloud,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the operator of Brief Aloud. Privacy questions and requests can be sent to briefaloud@gmail.com.
Information used by the app
When you use the Brief Aloud app, the service may process:
- Account information used to sign you in securely.
- Your written news instructions, selected topics, exclusions and feedback.
- Saved places, journey-time estimates and route history for the routes you use.
- Briefings, playback position, chapters heard and stories already covered.
- Device and diagnostic information needed to deliver and maintain the service.
We use this information to prepare your briefings, reduce repetition, estimate the right duration, show sources, remember playback and improve reliability.
Location
Brief Aloud asks only for location access while you are using the app and when a feature clearly needs it, such as choosing a starting point or calculating a current route. You can use saved places instead. The app does not need continuous background location tracking, and location data is not used to create advertising profiles.
News, AI and service providers
Brief Aloud uses service providers to host the app, store data, send notifications and prepare news. We share only the information needed for those tasks. We do not store complete copies of publisher articles, and news chapters keep the source details and links used to prepare them.
Brief Aloud uses an iPhone system voice to create narration on the device. The voice is synthetic, not a human recording. Apple services provide sign-in, maps, weather and push notifications. Hosting, database, storage and email providers process only the information needed to deliver their service. We require service providers to protect information consistently with this policy and do not permit them to use it for advertising.
What we do not do
- We do not sell personal information.
- We do not use personal information for cross-company advertising tracking.
- We do not request contacts, calendars, emails, microphones or always-on location.
- We do not store complete publisher articles or attempt to bypass paywalls.
How long we keep information
Route history is normally kept for 90 days. Playback and server briefing records are normally kept for 180 days. Service-provider usage and security records are normally kept for 13 months and are aggregated or pseudonymised after account deletion where lawful. Backups are deleted on their normal schedule and restored only for disaster recovery.
Current WeatherKit and MapKit briefing details are removed when playback completes and no later than 24 hours after preparation. News transcripts, their source links and story memory can remain without that temporary Apple data.
Your choices
You can:
- Decline or change iPhone permissions in iOS Settings.
- Delete listening, route or preference history from the app.
- Delete your account and associated personal data.
- Ask to access, correct or delete your information by contacting us.
Security and children
We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards, including encryption while information is sent, limited access, short-lived sign-in sessions and security checks. No online service can promise absolute security. Brief Aloud is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.
International processing and changes
Providers may process information in countries other than your own, subject to appropriate contractual and security protections. If this policy materially changes, we will update the date above and provide additional notice where appropriate. You can contact briefaloud@gmail.com to ask which providers or protections apply when your information is transferred.