Privacy Policy
Effective date: August 26, 2026 · Last updated: August 26, 2026
HiddenPod ("HiddenPod," "we," "us," or "our") operates PodSignal, a quality-scoring platform for independent podcasts. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect from visitors, listeners, and creators who use hiddenpod.com (the "Site"), and how we use, share, and protect it.
1.Two Different Kinds of Data
It's worth being clear about a distinction that runs through this whole policy: PodSignal scores are computed from publicly available podcast data — RSS feeds, episode audio, and metadata that podcasters already publish to the world. Scoring a show does not require or involve any personal information about the show's creator unless and until that creator chooses to claim their show and create an account. This policy is about the second category: information we collect from actual visitors and account holders on the Site.
2.Information We Collect
Depending on how you use the Site, we collect:
- Account information: email address and password (for email/password accounts), or basic profile information provided by Google if you sign in with Google or Apple.
- Account type: whether you registered as a listener or a creator.
- Creator verification information: the show you claim, a verification token used to confirm you control that show's RSS feed, and — if you complete the download-data step — self-reported download numbers and an uploaded screenshot as supporting evidence.
- Newsletter preferences: whether you've opted in to receive our newsletter (opt-in is explicit and unchecked by default at signup).
- Usage information: basic technical information such as pages visited and general session activity, to the extent standard web hosting and authentication infrastructure collects it.
3.How We Use Information
- To create and maintain your account and let you sign in.
- To verify a creator's ownership of a claimed show and display the appropriate scoring detail to them.
- To send you the newsletter, only if you've explicitly opted in.
- To maintain the security and reliability of the Site.
- To improve PodSignal and communicate with you about your account when necessary.
4.Third Parties Who Process Data On Our Behalf
We rely on the following third-party services to operate the Site. Each processes certain data as described:
- Supabase — authentication and database hosting. Stores account credentials, session information, and claimed-show/verification data.
- Google — if you choose to sign in with Google, Google provides basic profile information under its own privacy practices.
- Vercel — website hosting and infrastructure.
We do not sell personal information to third parties.
5.Data Retention
We retain account information for as long as your account remains active. If you'd like your account and associated data deleted, contact us at mail@hiddenpod.com and we will process your request, subject to any information we're required to retain for legal or security purposes.
6.Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal information, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at mail@hiddenpod.com.
7.Children's Privacy
HiddenPod is not directed to children under 13 (or the relevant minimum age in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
8.Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We'll update the "Last updated" date above when we do, and material changes will be communicated where appropriate.
9.Contact
Questions about this policy can be directed to mail@hiddenpod.com.
Cookie Policy
Effective date: August 26, 2026 · Last updated: August 26, 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how HiddenPod uses cookies and similar technologies (such as browser local storage) on hiddenpod.com.
1. What We Use, and Why
- Authentication: to keep you signed in, our authentication provider (Supabase) stores a session token in your browser's local storage. This is essential to the Service — without it, you'd need to sign in again on every page.
- Google Sign-In: if you choose to sign in with Google, Google may set its own cookies as part of that authentication process, governed by Google's own policies.
2. What We Don't Currently Use
HiddenPod does not currently use advertising cookies, third-party ad-tracking pixels, or cross-site behavioral tracking.
3. Managing Cookies
Most browsers let you block or delete cookies and local storage through their settings. Note that blocking essential authentication storage will prevent you from staying signed in to the Service.
4. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy as the Service evolves. Check back periodically for the current version.
5. Contact
Questions about this policy can be directed to mail@hiddenpod.com.