Privacy Policy
Last updated: 7 July 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Data Concept Studio ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use the Briefcaster mobile application (the "App"). Briefcaster turns news topics, RSS feeds, and YouTube channels into short, personalized audio briefs.
In short: we collect the account details you provide and the feeds you create so we can generate your briefs. We do not sell your personal data. You can delete your feeds and your account at any time from within the App.
1. Who we are
The data controller is Data Concept Studio. For any privacy question or request, contact us at dataconceptstudio@gmail.com.
2. Information we collect
2.1 Account information
- Email address and display name — when you create an account with email and password, or sign in with Google or Apple.
- Password — if you register with email, stored only as a salted hash; we never store your plaintext password.
- Sign in with Apple — if you choose to hide your email, we receive only Apple's private relay address and never your real email.
2.2 Content you create
- Feeds and sources — the topics, RSS URLs, and YouTube channels you add, plus your schedule, language, and voice preferences.
- Generated briefs — the audio episodes we produce for you and your listening progress (so playback can resume).
2.3 Optional connections
- YouTube (read-only) — only if you tap "Connect YouTube", we request the
youtube.readonlyscope to list your subscriptions so you can turn them into a feed. We do not post, modify, or delete anything on your YouTube account, and you can disconnect at any time.
2.4 Device & usage information
- Push notification token — if you enable notifications, so we can tell you when a brief is ready.
- Usage counters — how many briefs you have generated in the current period, to apply plan limits.
2.5 Advertising identifiers (only if ads are enabled)
Briefcaster may offer an optional, ad-supported way to unlock briefs. When advertising is enabled and you consent through Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt, our advertising partner (Google AdMob) may access your device's advertising identifier (IDFA) and limited interaction data to serve and measure ads. If you do not consent, you will see non-personalized ads or none at all, and the App remains fully usable. Advertising is off by default.
3. How we use your information
- To create your account and authenticate you.
- To generate personalized audio briefs from your chosen sources.
- To deliver audio playback, including in the background and on the lock screen.
- To send you notifications and account emails (for example, password reset).
- To enforce plan limits and prevent abuse.
- To operate, secure, and improve the App.
4. How your briefs are generated
To produce a brief we send the text of your selected sources (news articles, RSS items, or YouTube metadata) to large-language-model and text-to-speech providers acting on our behalf. This content is processed to write a script and synthesize audio. We do not send your account credentials to these providers.
5. Service providers we share data with
We share the minimum data necessary with the following processors:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Google Cloud Platform | Hosting, database, audio file storage (region: europe-west1) |
| Google & Apple | Social sign-in (only if you use it) |
| Large-language-model & text-to-speech providers | Writing and voicing your briefs |
| Resend | Sending account emails (password reset, verification) |
| Google AdMob | Advertising (only if ads are enabled and you consent) |
| Expo push service | Delivering push notifications |
We do not sell your personal data or share it with data brokers.
6. Data retention
We keep your account data and generated briefs while your account is active. When you delete a feed, its sources and episodes are removed. When you delete your account, we delete your personal data within a reasonable period, except where we must retain it to comply with legal obligations or resolve disputes.
7. Your rights & choices
- Access & deletion — you can delete individual feeds and your entire account from within the App. To request a copy or full deletion of your data, email us.
- Notifications — you can disable push notifications in your device settings.
- Tracking — you can decline ad tracking at the App Tracking Transparency prompt or in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
- YouTube — you can disconnect your YouTube connection at any time.
Depending on where you live (for example, the EU/EEA under the GDPR), you may have additional rights to access, correct, port, or erase your data, and to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
8. Children
Briefcaster is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age of digital consent in your country), and we do not knowingly collect data from them. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will delete it.
9. Security
We use industry-standard measures to protect your data in transit (TLS) and at rest. Passwords are stored only as salted hashes. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information and limit access to it.
10. International transfers
We process and store data on Google Cloud infrastructure located in the European Union (europe-west1). Some service providers may process data in other countries under appropriate safeguards.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will revise the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the App. Continued use of Briefcaster after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
12. Contact us
Questions or requests about this policy or your data: dataconceptstudio@gmail.com.