Overview
Hacker Reader (“we”, “our”, or “the app”) is a third-party iOS client for Hacker News. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about our data practices.
Privacy Principles
No Account Required
Browse all content without creating an account
No Tracking
We don't track you across apps or websites
No Data Sale
We never sell your data to third parties
Open Source
Our code is public for complete transparency
Data We Collect (Minimal & Anonymous)
Crash Reports (via Sentry)
- • Stack traces, device model, iOS version
- • Used to fix bugs and improve stability
- • Not linked to your identity
- • Retained for 90 days
Analytics (via PostHog)
- • Anonymous feature usage events
- • Not linked to your identity
- • Used to improve the app
- • Retained for 90 days
Note: We track authentication status (logged in: true/false) to understand behavior differences, but we NEVER link your Hacker News username to analytics events.
Data We Don't Collect
We do NOT collect:
- • Personal information (name, email, phone)
- • Location data
- • Browsing history or stories you read
- • Search queries
- • Device identifiers (IDFA)
- • Your Hacker News username or password
- • Comments or votes you make
- • Contact list
- • Health or fitness data
- • Financial information
Data Storage
On Your Device (Never Leaves)
- • Login cookies: iOS Keychain (hardware-encrypted)
- • Bookmarks: Local AsyncStorage
- • Cache: Local storage
- • Settings preferences: Local UserDefaults
None of this data leaves your device.
On Third-Party Servers
- • Crash reports: Sentry (anonymized, 90-day retention)
- • Analytics events: PostHog (anonymized, 90-day retention)
Third-Party Services
Sentry (Crash Reporting)
We use Sentry to monitor app crashes and errors. This helps us identify and fix bugs quickly.
Sentry Privacy Policy →PostHog (Analytics)
We use PostHog to understand feature usage and improve the app. All analytics are fully anonymous.
PostHog Privacy Policy →Both services are GDPR compliant and SOC 2 certified.
Your Rights
GDPR Rights (EU Users)
Even though we collect minimal data, you have these rights:
- • Right to Access: Request what data we have (essentially none linked to you)
- • Right to Deletion: Request deletion (clear app data, uninstall app)
- • Right to Portability: Export your data (local bookmarks only)
- • Right to Object: Opt out of analytics (toggle coming in v1.1)
CCPA Rights (California Users)
- • Right to Know: What data is collected (see above)
- • Right to Delete: Delete your data (uninstall app)
- • Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of data sale (we don't sell data)
We do not sell your personal information.
Children's Privacy (COPPA)
Hacker Reader is not directed at children under 13.
- • No content specifically for children
- • No data knowingly collected from children under 13
- • If we learn a child under 13 has provided information, we'll delete it
Age Rating: 12+ (due to user-generated content in HN comments)
Changes to Privacy Policy
If our data collection practices change:
- 1. This document will be updated
- 2. App Store listing will be updated
- 3. Users will be notified via app update notes
- 4. In-app notification if significant changes
Contact
Questions about this privacy policy or your data?
Email: privacy@hackerreader.app
We'll respond within 30 days
Not affiliated with Y Combinator or Hacker News
Built by Daniel Paiva