Privacy Policy

Welcome to aknationnews.com ("AK Nation News," "we," "us," or "our"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal data we collect. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and disclose your information when you use our website.

By using aknationnews.com, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide

• Google OAuth Login: Email address, full name, and profile picture.
• User Profiles: Display name, bio, avatar, banner image, location, and website URL.
• Membership Payments: Subscription tier and billing status (Stripe handles all card data — we never see or store your card number).
• SuperChat Donations: Payment amount ($1–$500) and associated message.
• SMS Text Alerts: Phone number and opt-in consent when you subscribe to text notifications.
• Community Content: Chat messages, video comments, direct messages, and reply threads.
• Email Addresses: For livestream and content notifications.

B. Information Collected Automatically

• Site Analytics: Page visits, anonymous visitor IDs, referrer URLs, user agent strings, and daily/monthly unique visit tracking.
• XP & Engagement Data: Chat message counts, watch minutes, SuperChat counts, and leaderboard rankings.
• Video Analytics: View counts and playback data via Mux.
• Local Storage: Authentication tokens (base44_access_token) and PWA service worker data.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Provide and maintain your account and membership benefits
• Process payments and manage subscriptions via Stripe
• Deliver SMS text alerts about new content and livestreams
• Display your profile, comments, and chat messages in the community
• Calculate XP scores and leaderboard rankings
• Send email notifications about content and community activity
• Analyze site usage to improve our services
• Moderate community content and enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with the following service providers who help us operate the site:

We may also disclose information when required by law, to protect our rights, or to prevent fraud or security threats.

4. SMS/Text Message Terms

When you opt in to AK Nation Text Alerts by texting AKNATION to (737) 347-1308 or via the website, you consent to receive recurring text messages about new videos, livestream alerts, and content updates. Message frequency varies (typically 1–5 per week). Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for assistance.

For full SMS terms, see our SMS Terms & Conditions.

5. Cookies and Local Storage

We do not use traditional tracking cookies. However, we use localStorage in your browser to store:

• Authentication tokens (base44_access_token) to keep you signed in across pages.
• PWA Service Worker data for offline caching and faster page loads.
• User preferences such as dismissed banners and notification settings.

You can clear localStorage at any time through your browser settings. This will sign you out and reset preferences.

6. Data Retention

• Account data: Retained as long as your account is active. Upon deletion request, data is removed within 30 days.
• Community content: Chat messages, comments, and DMs are retained indefinitely unless you delete them or request removal.
• Payment records: Retained for 7 years as required by financial regulations.
• Analytics data: Aggregated and anonymized, retained indefinitely.
• SMS opt-in data: Retained until you opt out by texting STOP.

7. Your Privacy Rights

California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

• Right to Know: Request what personal information we collect, use, and disclose.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell personal information, so no opt-out is required.
• Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

Virginia, Colorado & Connecticut Residents

You have similar rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data processing under the VCDPA, CPA, and CTDPA respectively.

International Visitors (GDPR)

If you access our site from outside the United States, you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, and data portability under GDPR. Our legal basis for processing is consent (for account creation) and legitimate interest (for site operations).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@aknationnews.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy (COPPA)

AK Nation News is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account and at least 18 years old to make purchases (memberships, SuperChats, merchandise).

If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@aknationnews.com.

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information. All payment data is handled by Stripe's PCI-DSS Level 1 compliant infrastructure. Authentication tokens are stored securely in your browser's localStorage. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Material changes will be communicated via email notification or a prominent notice on our website. Your continued use of aknationnews.com after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Information