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Privacy Policy

Channel Media, Inc.
Last updated: March 2026

1. Introduction

Channel Media, Inc. ("Channel," "we," "our," or "us") provides a platform for streaming independent radio stations, hosting live DJ broadcasts, discovering shows, participating in public chat communities, managing DJ profiles, and sharing public content and external links chosen by DJs.

Channel is available on both mobile and web.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how it is used, how it is stored, and the rights available to users in the EU, EEA, and UK under GDPR and UK GDPR.

By using Channel, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

2. Who We Are

Channel Media, Inc.
Los Angeles, California, USA

General contact: info@channel-app.com
Safety and abuse: support@channel-app.com

Channel does not specifically target users in the EU/EEA/UK. Access is offered on a passive basis; therefore, an EU representative is not required under GDPR Article 27.

3. Minimum Age

Channel is intended for users 16 years and older.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16.

If you believe a child under 16 is using Channel, contact support@channel-app.com.

4. Information We Collect

Channel operates in two modes:

  • Mobile app (anonymous by default)
  • Web app (authentication required)

We collect only the information necessary to operate the service.

4.1 Information You Provide Directly

A. Chat Messages (Mobile & Web)

Public messages posted in chat rooms.

Messages may appear in:

  • radio station chat rooms
  • DJ profile chat rooms

Messages are visible to anyone tuned into a station or viewing a DJ profile and are stored in Firebase Firestore.

You may request deletion of your chat messages.

B. Username

Usernames are:

  • optional on mobile
  • automatically created on web from your authentication provider

Usernames may appear publicly in chat, DJ profiles, and automated system messages.

C. Email & Notification Preferences (Web)

If enabled, we store:

  • email address
  • notification preferences
  • watchlist items
  • favorite shows and DJs
  • saved searches
  • digest timestamps
  • calendar sync settings

D. Personalization Preferences

Users may optionally provide:

  • preferred cities
  • preferred music genres

These preferences are stored in Firestore and used to improve discovery features, including personalized show recommendations.

4.2 Authentication Methods

Google OAuth

We receive:

  • email address
  • display name
  • profile photo
  • timezone

Apple Sign-In

We receive:

  • email address
  • full name (when shared)
  • Apple user identifier

Apple may mask your email via "Hide My Email".

Email Magic Link

Email addresses may be temporarily stored in browser localStorage during the login flow and are removed once authentication completes or expires.

4.3 Information Collected Automatically

Channel does not use advertising identifiers, tracking pixels, fingerprinting, or behavioral analytics.

We collect:

  • Firebase User ID (anonymous on mobile, authenticated on web)
  • temporary IP address logs at the infrastructure level (security and delivery)
  • temporary session identifiers for listener presence
  • device or app metadata only when you manually report an issue

We do not collect background logs or screenshots automatically.

4.4 Listener Presence & Stream Metadata

To operate live streams, Channel generates and processes:

  • anonymous listener session identifiers
  • join and leave timestamps
  • listener counts per live stream
  • stream identifiers linked to DJs and shows

Session identifiers are short-lived and regenerated per session.

4.5 Live Audio Streaming & Recording

Channel provides live audio streaming using a self-hosted LiveKit server operated by Channel.

Important disclosures:

  • all live audio is relayed through Channel-controlled servers
  • live streams are recorded by default
  • recordings are generated via HLS egress and stored as MP4 files
  • recordings are retained unless removed by Channel

Recordings may include:

  • audio content
  • timestamps
  • stream identifiers
  • DJ identifiers

Chat messages are not included in audio recordings or replays.

Channel staff may access live or recorded audio solely for:

  • debugging and technical troubleshooting
  • safety and moderation review
  • compliance and internal operations

Channel does not enable third-party analytics or telemetry on live audio streams.

4.6 Storage of Recordings

Recorded broadcasts are stored in Cloudflare R2 object storage.

Cloudflare may process limited technical data (such as IP addresses or network metadata) to provide storage and delivery services.

Channel controls access to all stored recordings.

4.7 Push Notifications (Mobile)

We store a Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) token to deliver notifications.

Tokens are removed when you sign out, disable notifications, or uninstall the app.

4.8 Local Device Storage

Your device may store:

  • favorites (local copies)
  • notification settings
  • feature discovery flags
  • recently viewed shows
  • temporary session identifiers
  • temporary Magic Link email

Local data is removed when you uninstall the app or clear browser storage.

4.9 Automated Activity Messages

Channel may generate system-generated messages based on activity, including:

  • Love reactions
  • Locked-in messages

These messages are optional, rate-limited, and configurable.

4.10 @Channel Mentions Logging

Messages mentioning "@Channel" are logged for developer review and abuse detection.

These logs are not used for advertising or profiling.

4.11 External Links

Channel may display or allow DJs to share external links to third-party websites or services.

If you choose to open an external link:

  • you may be redirected to a website or service not operated by Channel
  • that third party may collect information about you under its own privacy policy
  • Channel does not process payments or transactions on those third-party services

Channel does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.

4.12 DJ / Creator Applications

If you apply to become a DJ or broadcaster, we may collect:

  • DJ or project name
  • email address
  • show name
  • preferred broadcast times
  • venue information (if applicable)
  • optional social media links

This information is used to evaluate applications, schedule broadcasts, and communicate with DJs.

4.13 DJ Broadcast History

For DJs, Channel retains a history of broadcasts including show identifiers and dates for operational, archival, and scheduling purposes.

If a DJ account is removed, associated broadcast history and recordings are removed.

4.14 Public DJ Profiles & DJ Studio

DJs may create public profile pages (e.g. /dj/[username]) displaying information they choose to provide, such as:

  • DJ name
  • bio
  • photos
  • social links
  • shows and recommendations

These pages are publicly accessible and may be viewed without an account.

DJs manage this information through the DJ Studio and are responsible for the content they choose to make public.

4.15 Collectives, Venues & Events

Channel may display public pages for collectives, venues, and events.

These pages may include:

  • names and descriptions
  • social media links
  • associated DJs or shows
  • location or event information

Information may originate from:

  • DJs or organizers
  • Channel administrators
  • publicly available sources

5. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR / UK GDPR)

Contract (Article 6(1)(b))

  • accounts and authentication
  • live streaming and recording
  • chat and community features
  • DJ Studio and profile functionality
  • notifications and reminders

Consent (Article 6(1)(a))

  • email communications
  • push notifications
  • calendar sync
  • automated activity messages

Legitimate Interest (Article 6(1)(f))

  • security and abuse prevention
  • fraud detection
  • service reliability
  • improving discovery and recommendation features

No data is used for advertising or profiling.

6. How We Use Information

We use personal data to:

  • operate live streams and recordings
  • display public DJ profiles and show information
  • provide chat and community features
  • enable following DJs and favoriting shows
  • generate personalized recommendations based on preferences or estimated location
  • deliver notifications and digest emails
  • prevent fraud and abuse
  • improve platform reliability

We do not sell personal data or share it with advertisers.

7. Data Sharing

Channel shares data only with service providers required to operate the platform:

  • Firebase / Google Cloud
  • Hetzner
  • Cloudflare R2
  • Vercel
  • Resend

All providers act as processors and do not use data for advertising.

8. International Transfers

Data may be processed in the United States and the European Union.

Transfers are protected by:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
  • additional security measures

9. Data Retention

Account data: deleted upon account deletion, including favorites, watchlist, saved searches, notification preferences, and username reservation.

Chat messages: retained after account deletion; may be removed upon request.

Presence session identifiers: short-lived.

Live stream recordings: retained unless removed.

DJ profiles: retained until deletion or removal request.

DJ application data: retained while relevant.

Moderation logs: retained as necessary for safety.

Favorites may be automatically removed if the associated show or event is deleted from the platform.

10. Your Rights (GDPR / UK GDPR)

You may:

  • access your data
  • correct inaccuracies
  • request deletion
  • export your data
  • withdraw consent
  • object to processing

Contact: support@channel-app.com

11. Automated Decision-Making

Channel does not use automated decision-making or profiling.

12. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards including HTTPS, access controls, Firestore security rules, and infrastructure protections.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy.

Updates will be reflected by a new "Last updated" date.

14. Contact

Channel Media, Inc.
info@channel-app.com
support@channel-app.com

© 2026 Channel Media, Inc.