Upside UK

The short version

We don't sell your data. We don't collect your name, email address, or any personal information. We do collect anonymous, aggregate usage events in the mobile app (see below) so we can understand what's working and improve the product. No data is ever linked to you as an individual.

Web analytics

The website uses Simple Analytics to understand how many people visit and which pages are popular. Simple Analytics does not use cookies, does not fingerprint your browser, and collects no personally identifiable information. Data collected includes page views, referrer URLs, browser type, OS, and approximate country (derived from your IP at request time — the IP itself is never stored). You can read Simple Analytics' privacy policy for full details.

Mobile app analytics

The iOS and Android app uses Aptabase, a privacy-first, open-source analytics platform. Aptabase tracks anonymous usage events — things like which features you use, how many stories you read, and when you vote. No event ever contains your name, email, location, or any other personally identifiable information.

Events are associated with the same random anonymous device ID used for voting — a locally-generated identifier that is not linked to you in any way. Aptabase does not use cookies and does not fingerprint your device. All data is processed and stored in the EU. You can read Aptabase's privacy policy for full details.

Votes & preferences

When you vote on a story or set reading preferences, a random anonymous ID is stored in your browser's local storage. This ID is not linked to any personal information and is used only to prevent duplicate votes and remember your preferences between visits. You can clear it at any time by clearing your browser's site data.

Third-party content

Story thumbnails may be served from third-party news publishers (BBC, The Guardian, etc.). Clicking "Read full story" takes you to the original publisher's website, which has its own privacy policy.

Cookies

We don't set any cookies. None at all. The dark/light mode preference is stored in local storage, not a cookie.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Get in touch.