Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [DATE]

Your Privacy Matters: Views is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal data.

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Views ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our platform. We are committed to handling your data responsibly and in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you create an account or use Views, we collect the following information:

Account Information: Name, email address, password (encrypted), and user role (reader or writer)
Profile Information: Any additional information you choose to add to your profile
Content: Articles you publish, responses you submit, and your interactions with other users' content
Preferences: Categories you're interested in and writers you follow

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Currently, we do not collect analytics, tracking data, IP addresses, or use cookies for tracking purposes. This may change in the future, and we will update this policy accordingly and notify users of any changes.

2.3 Information We Do Not Collect

At present, we do not collect:

Browsing history or usage analytics
IP addresses or device information
Location data
Payment information (future monetization features will be handled by third-party payment processors)
Tracking cookies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Platform Operation: To create and manage your account, authenticate your identity, and provide core platform functionality
Content Delivery: To display your published articles and responses, and to personalize your content feed based on your interests
Communication: To send you important updates about your account or the platform (we will not send marketing emails without your explicit consent)
Following System: To enable you to follow writers and receive updates about their content
Platform Improvement: To improve and develop new features for Views
Safety and Security: To protect the platform and users from abuse, fraud, or illegal activity

4. Legal Basis for Processing (UK GDPR)

Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide the platform services you've requested
Consent: Where you have given explicit consent for specific processing activities
Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate interests in operating and improving the platform, provided your rights are not overridden
Legal Obligations: Processing necessary to comply with legal requirements

5. How We Share Your Information

5.1 Public Information

The following information is publicly visible on Views:

Your display name
Published articles and their content
Public responses to articles
Your writer profile (if you are a writer)

5.2 Service Providers

We use Supabase as our backend service provider for authentication, database management, and file storage. Supabase has access to your data as necessary to provide these services and is contractually obligated to protect your data.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Views, our users, or the public.

5.4 No Selling of Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. When you delete your account:

If you choose to delete all content: Your personal information and articles will be permanently deleted from our active database within 30 days
If you choose to keep articles published: Your account will be marked as "deactivated," but your published articles and associated display name will remain on the platform
Backup copies may persist in our backup systems for up to 90 days before permanent deletion

We may retain certain information for longer periods if required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention.

7. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data (subject to certain legal exceptions)
Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data
Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format
Right to Object: You can object to certain types of processing
Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [PRIVACY-EMAIL@VIEWSPAPER.PRESS].

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

Encryption of passwords and sensitive data
Secure authentication processes
Regular security assessments
Row-level security policies in our database
Secure HTTPS connections

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children's Privacy

Views is not intended for users under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 16, we will delete that information immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your data is stored on Supabase servers, which may be located outside the UK. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place for any international data transfers in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify users of any material changes by:

Posting the updated policy on this page
Updating the "Last Updated" date
Sending an email notification for significant changes

Your continued use of Views after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Cookies and Tracking

Currently, Views does not use cookies for tracking or analytics purposes. We only use essential cookies necessary for platform functionality, such as maintaining your login session. If we introduce analytics or tracking cookies in the future, we will update this policy and obtain your consent where required.

13. Third-Party Links

Articles on Views may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: [PRIVACY-EMAIL@VIEWSPAPER.PRESS]

15. Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal data properly, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Website: https://ico.org.uk
Phone: 0303 123 1113

By using Views, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection and use of your information as described.