Privacy Policy

Paul Wakim ("we," "us," or "our") operates PodSips, including the PodSips website, mobile application, creator tools, and related browser extensions (collectively, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Service. Please read this policy carefully. By using PodSips, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information. When you sign in with Apple or Google, we receive your name and email address from the identity provider you choose. We store this information to create and maintain your account.
• Chat Content. When you use PodSips's AI chat feature, the questions you ask and the AI-generated responses are stored so you can revisit past conversations.
• Contact Information. If you contact us via email or our website contact form, we collect the information you provide in your message.
• Creator Connection Information. If you use PodSips creator tools, we collect the account, podcast, and connection details needed to connect your creator analytics sources to PodSips.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Listening Activity. We record which episodes you play and your playback position so you can resume where you left off.
• Library Data. The podcast series you save to your library and the order you arrange them in are stored with your account.
• Usage Data. We track the number of AI messages you send per day and summaries you generate to manage service limits.
• Device Information. If you enable push notifications, we store your device push token and platform type (iOS) to deliver notifications to your device.
• Analytics Data. We use PostHog to collect information about how you interact with the App, including screens viewed, features used, and sign-in method. This data is associated with your account identifier.
• Error and Performance Data. We use Sentry to collect crash reports, error logs, and performance data. When an error occurs, diagnostic information including your user identifier and relevant context (such as the screen you were on) may be included.
• Subscription Information. We receive subscription status updates (such as purchase, renewal, cancellation, and expiration events) from RevenueCat, our subscription management provider, to determine your plan and access level.
• Creator Analytics Connection Data. If you use the PodSips For Creators browser extension, the extension reads only the session cookies required to connect your supported creator analytics account. For the current release, this means Spotify for Creators session cookies needed to authorize the analytics connection. The extension sends those cookies once to the PodSips backend, where they are stored encrypted and used for server-side analytics sync.

1.3 Information We Do Not Collect

• We do not collect or have access to your Apple ID password or Google account password.
• We do not collect payment card numbers or banking information. All payment processing is handled by Apple through the App Store.
• We do not collect precise location data.
• The PodSips For Creators extension does not collect creator comments, payout data, monetization settings, moderation data, clips, polls, or creator-interactivity data.

2. PodSips For Creators Browser Extension

The PodSips For Creators browser extension is a setup bridge for creators who choose to connect their supported creator analytics accounts to PodSips. It is not a long-running browser scraper and does not store creator analytics credentials in Chrome extension storage.

• The extension reads only the session cookies required to complete the creator analytics connection.
• For the current release, the supported source is Spotify for Creators, and the required cookies are sent once to the PodSips backend using a short-lived PodSips connection code.
• PodSips stores the session material encrypted and uses it to run server-side show and episode analytics syncs for the connected creator account.
• The extension does not call Spotify analytics APIs directly, does not store Spotify cookies in Chrome extension storage, and does not access comments, payouts, monetization, moderation, clips, polls, settings, or creator-interactivity surfaces.
• We do not sell creator connection data, use it for advertising, or transfer it for purposes unrelated to providing the creator analytics connection.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and maintain your account.
• Provide the App's core features, including podcast playback, AI-powered chat, and library management.
• Provide creator analytics connection, import, matching, and reporting features.
• Process and manage your subscription through RevenueCat and the Apple App Store.
• Send you push notifications you have opted into, such as alerts about new episodes from podcasts you follow.
• Enforce usage limits and prevent abuse of the service.
• Diagnose technical problems, monitor App performance, and fix bugs.
• Understand how users interact with the App so we can improve the experience.
• Respond to your support requests and communications.
• Comply with legal obligations.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

3.1 Service Providers

We use third-party services to operate the App. These providers process your data on our behalf and are contractually obligated to protect it:

• Supabase — authentication, database hosting, and user account management.
• OpenAI — processes your chat messages to generate AI responses. Your questions and relevant podcast transcript excerpts are sent to OpenAI's API to produce answers. OpenAI's data usage policies apply to this processing.
• RevenueCat — subscription management and purchase validation.
• PostHog — product analytics.
• Sentry — error tracking and performance monitoring.
• Expo (EAS) — push notification delivery.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) — cloud storage for podcast cover images.
• Railway — backend and worker hosting for PodSips services.
• Pinecone — vector database used to search podcast transcripts when answering your questions. Transcript data (not your personal data) is stored in Pinecone.

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, in response to a valid legal process (such as a subpoena or court order), or to protect the rights, property, or safety of PodSips, our users, or others.

3.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have regarding your information.

5. AI-Generated Content

PodSips uses artificial intelligence to answer questions about podcast episodes. When you send a message in a chat, your question and relevant excerpts from podcast transcripts are sent to OpenAI for processing. AI-generated responses may be inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. PodSips is not responsible for the accuracy of AI-generated content. Do not rely on AI responses for medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice.

6. Data Retention

• Account data is retained for as long as your account is active.
• Chat history is retained until you delete individual chats or delete your account.
• Listening history and playback positions are retained for as long as your account is active.
• Analytics and error data is retained according to the retention policies of PostHog and Sentry, respectively.
• Creator analytics connection data is retained while your creator analytics source remains connected to PodSips or as needed to provide sync history, debugging, security, and legal compliance.
• When you delete your account, we delete your personal data from our systems. Some data may persist in backups for a limited period before being permanently removed.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encrypted data transmission (TLS/SSL), secure token-based authentication, encryption for creator analytics session material, and access controls on our backend systems. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights and Choices

• Access and Deletion. You can delete your account at any time from the Profile screen in the App. This permanently removes your account data, chat history, library, and listening history from our servers.
• Push Notifications. You can enable or disable push notifications through your device settings or the App's notification preferences screen.
• Chat History. You can delete individual chat conversations at any time within the App.
• Creator Connections. You can contact us to disconnect a creator analytics source or request deletion of creator connection data associated with your account.

If you would like to request a copy of your data or have questions about your rights, please contact us at [email protected].

9. Children's Privacy

PodSips is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at [email protected].

10. Third-Party Links and Content

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, display podcast content from third-party creators, or connect to third-party creator analytics platforms at your request. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by other means. Your continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

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

• Paul Wakim
• Email: [email protected]