Reader Privacy

Privacy Policy

We collect as little about you as we can get away with. This page explains exactly what data HackNews handles when you read the site, why we hold it, how long we keep it, and how to make a request about your data.

Last reviewed: August 31, 2026

Who is responsible for your data

HackNews is operated by Hacklido, based in Doddaballapura, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. For any privacy question or request, contact [email protected] or call +91 63670 98233.

What we collect

DataWhyRetention
Server logs: IP address, user agent, referring page, timestampSecurity, abuse prevention, diagnosing errorsUp to 30 days
Aggregate analytics: page views, country, device typeUnderstanding which reporting is usefulAggregated, no individual profiles
Bookmarks and reading preferencesSaving articles you markStored in your own browser only. Never sent to our servers.
Messages you send usResponding to tips, corrections and enquiriesAs long as needed, then deleted on request

What we do not do

  • We do not run programmatic advertising or third-party ad trackers on this site.
  • We do not sell, rent or trade your personal data. Ever.
  • We do not build advertising profiles or share reader data with data brokers.
  • We do not require an account to read anything on HackNews.
  • We do not use cross-site tracking pixels for advertising purposes.

Cookies and local storage

HackNews uses browser localStorage to remember articles you bookmark and your interface preferences. This data stays on your device and is never transmitted to us. Clearing your browser storage removes it completely.

Our admin panel uses a session cookie, which applies only to logged-in editors and not to readers.

Third-party services

Some content loads from third parties, which may see your IP address as a technical necessity of delivering that content:

  • Google Fonts and cdnjs for typography and code highlighting.
  • Our hosting provider, which processes server logs on our behalf.
  • Embedded media, where an article includes a video or social post; the originating platform's privacy policy applies to that embed.

We do not pass any reader identifier to these services.

Your rights

Under India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and under the GDPR if you are in the EEA or UK, you have the right to access the personal data we hold about you, to have it corrected, to have it erased, to object to processing, and to complain to a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these, email [email protected] with the subject line PRIVACY. We respond within 30 days and do not charge a fee.

Journalistic exemption

Where we hold information about an individual for the purpose of journalism, including source material and reporting notes, that processing may fall under the journalism exemption in applicable data protection law. This exemption exists to protect sources and the ability to report in the public interest, and we rely on it only for that purpose. It never applies to ordinary reader data, which is covered by the rights above without qualification.

Children

HackNews is not directed at children under 18 and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them. If you believe we have, contact us and we will delete it.

Security

The site is served over HTTPS with HSTS. Administrative access is restricted and credential-protected. We are a security publication, and we hold our own infrastructure to the standards we expect of others. If you find a vulnerability, please report it to [email protected] with the subject line SECURITY.

Changes to this policy

We update this page whenever our data practices change. The review date at the top reflects the most recent revision.