Welcome to Birdie-Doodle. This Privacy Policy explains what information is processed when you use the app, how we use it, and what choices you have. By using Birdie-Doodle, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1 Introduction
Birdie-Doodle is a mobile application developed by Synapse-Tech, based in Nairobi, Kenya. The app presents curated news articles grouped by categories (for example: Tech, Politics, Sports, and More). Article text may be processed using Google Gemini to improve clarity and readability.
Birdie-Doodle is designed to minimise personal data collection. You are not required to create a traditional user account (name, email, or phone number).
2 Information We Collect
2.1 — Anonymous authentication
Birdie-Doodle uses Firebase Authentication to create an anonymous user session. Firebase assigns a random identifier to your session so the app can securely store your likes and bookmarks in Firestore. This identifier is not your name, email address, or phone number.
2.2 — Information stored in Firebase (Firestore)
Depending on how you use the app, we may store the following in Google Firebase Firestore:
- Likes — which articles you liked, associated with your anonymous user ID.
- Bookmarks — which articles you saved, associated with your anonymous user ID.
- Article metadata shown in the app — such as headline, summary, category, source name, and URL, as needed to display saved items.
2.3 — Information stored on your device
We may store limited preferences locally on your device (for example, your last selected category tab and cached article lists) to improve startup performance. This local data stays on your device unless the app transmits it as part of normal Firebase operations described above.
2.4 — Analytics and crash reporting
Birdie-Doodle does not include third-party analytics SDKs or crash reporting SDKs in the app as shipped by Synapse-Tech.
Google Firebase and Google Cloud may still generate limited operational telemetry as part of providing the service (for example, security and abuse prevention). That processing is governed by Google’s policies.
2.5 — News content sourcing and AI processing
News headlines and related metadata are retrieved from NewsData.io by server-side automation (Firebase Cloud Functions) and may be processed by Google Gemini to classify and rewrite summaries for display in the app. This processing happens on Google’s infrastructure when those services are invoked.
2.6 — Information We Do NOT Collect
- Your real name, email address, or phone number (unless you voluntarily email us for support)
- Your contacts, photos, camera, microphone, or SMS
- Your precise GPS location
- Payment card or financial account information
We do not sell your personal information.
3 How We Use Information
We use the information described above to:
- Provide the core app experience (browse, read, categorise, and refresh news)
- Remember your likes and bookmarks across app sessions
- Maintain reasonable security and integrity of the service
- Respond to support requests you send us
4 Legal bases (where applicable)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or similar jurisdictions, we rely on the following bases, as applicable:
- Contract / steps prior to contract — to provide the app you requested.
- Legitimate interests — to secure the service, prevent abuse, and improve reliability (balanced against your rights).
- Consent — where required for optional features we may add in the future (not required for core browsing in v1).
5 Data retention and deletion
We retain Firestore data as long as needed to provide the service. You may request deletion of data associated with your anonymous session by contacting us. Because the identifier is anonymous, we may ask you to provide information that helps us verify ownership of the session (for example, approximate timing of activity), where reasonable.
Uninstalling the app removes locally stored preferences from your device, but it does not automatically delete server-side likes/bookmarks unless you request deletion or we delete data as part of routine maintenance.
6 Data storage and security
Firestore data is protected by Firebase security rules intended to restrict access so users can only read/write their own interaction documents where applicable. Communications with Firebase services use encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS).
7 Third-party services
Birdie-Doodle relies on third-party services operated by independent providers. Each has its own terms and privacy documentation:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy / terms |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase | Anonymous authentication, database (Firestore), and server automation (Cloud Functions) | firebase.google.com/support/privacy |
| Google Gemini (Generative Language API) | Server-side classification and rewriting of news summaries for display in the app | ai.google.dev/gemini-api/terms |
| NewsData.io | Retrieving news headlines/metadata used to build the in-app feed | newsdata.io/privacy-policy |
8 Children's privacy
Birdie-Doodle is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
9 International transfers
Firebase and related Google services may process data in the United States and other countries where Google operates facilities. When data is transferred across borders, it may be protected by contractual safeguards where required by law.
10 Your choices and rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict certain processing, or to object to processing. Because the app uses anonymous authentication, some requests may require additional information to locate the correct records.
- You may uninstall the app to remove on-device preferences.
- You may contact us to request deletion of server-side interaction data tied to your anonymous session, where feasible.
11 Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date above. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
12 Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, contact: