Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

weights.news ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services (collectively, the "Service").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

Account Information: When you create an account using Google OAuth, we receive:

• Your name (as provided by Google)
• Your email address

Profile Information: You may choose to provide:

• Username (required, chosen by you)
• Bio/description (optional)

User Content: Information you submit through the Service:

• Links and posts you submit
• Comments you write
• Votes you cast

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access the Service, we automatically collect:

Log Data:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Device type
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring URL
• Date and time of access

Cookies and Similar Technologies:

• Session cookies (required for authentication)
• Preference cookies (to remember your settings)

We do NOT use cookies for advertising or behavioral tracking.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

Google OAuth: When you authenticate using Google Sign-In, Google provides us with the information described in Section 2.1. We use Google's OAuth 2.0 protocol and comply with Google API Services User Data Policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

3.1 Provide and Maintain the Service

• Create and manage your account
• Authenticate your identity
• Display your profile and content
• Enable community features (voting, commenting)
• Process your submissions

3.2 Improve the Service

• Analyze usage patterns and trends
• Debug technical issues
• Develop new features
• Optimize performance

3.3 Communicate with You

• Send service-related notifications
• Respond to your inquiries
• Notify you of policy changes

3.4 Ensure Safety and Security

• Detect and prevent fraud and abuse
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect user safety
• Comply with legal obligations

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Public Information

The following information is publicly visible on the Service:

• Your username
• Your profile bio (if provided)
• Your submitted posts and comments
• Your karma score

Your email address is NEVER publicly displayed.

4.2 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and may only use your information to provide services to us.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, including:

• To comply with a subpoena, court order, or legal process
• To respond to a government request
• To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• To protect against legal liability

4.4 Business Transfers

If weights.news is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4.5 What We Do NOT Do

We do NOT:

• Sell your personal information to third parties
• Share your data with advertising platforms
• Use your data for targeted advertising
• Share your email address publicly
• Provide your data to data brokers

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as:

• Your account is active
• Necessary to provide the Service
• Required by law

Retention Periods:

Upon account deletion:

• Your profile is immediately removed
• Your posts may be anonymized (attributed to "deleted")
• Comments may be retained in anonymized form for thread integrity
• Backups are purged within 30 days

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit (TLS/HTTPS) and at rest
• Access Controls: Limited employee access on a need-to-know basis
• Secure Authentication: OAuth 2.0 with Google's security infrastructure
• Regular Updates: Security patches applied promptly
• Database Security: Hosted on SOC 2 compliant infrastructure

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Access and Portability

You may access your personal information at any time through your account settings. You may request a copy of your data by contacting us at privacy@weights.news.

7.2 Correction

You may update your profile information at any time through your account settings.

7.3 Deletion

You may delete:

• Individual posts or comments through the Service
• Your entire account by contacting us at privacy@weights.news

Upon account deletion, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

7.4 Opt-Out

You may opt out of:

• Non-essential cookies (through your browser settings)
• Email communications (through unsubscribe links)

7.5 Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on consent to process your information, you may withdraw consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

8. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

8.1 Right to Know

You have the right to request disclosure of:

• Categories of personal information collected
• Sources of personal information
• Purposes for collecting personal information
• Categories of third parties with whom we share information
• Specific pieces of personal information collected about you

8.2 Right to Delete

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.

8.3 Right to Opt-Out of Sale

We do NOT sell your personal information. Therefore, there is no need to opt out.

8.4 Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

8.5 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at: privacy@weights.news

We will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days.

8.6 Categories Collected (Past 12 Months)

9. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

9.1 Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on:

9.2 Your Rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access: Obtain a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Restriction: Limit processing of your personal data
• Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time

9.3 Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including Standard Contractual Clauses and adequacy decisions where applicable.

9.4 Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

9.5 Data Controller

weights.news is the data controller for your personal information. Contact: privacy@weights.news

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@weights.news.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

11.1 Cookies We Use

11.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may prevent you from using certain features of the Service.

11.3 Do Not Track

We currently do not respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals. We do not engage in cross-site tracking.

12. Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@weights.news
• For DMCA inquiries: dmca@weights.news
• For legal inquiries: legal@weights.news

15. Google API Services Disclosure

weights.news uses Google OAuth for authentication. Our use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Specifically:

• We only request access to your basic profile information (name and email)
• We use this information solely for account authentication and identification
• We do not transfer your Google user data to third parties except as necessary to provide the Service
• We do not use your Google user data for advertising purposes
• We do not sell your Google user data