Free reading without an account
The Hood County Express app provides free local reporting and newspaper editions. You do not need an account. The app does not request your location, contacts, microphone, camera, or advertising identifier, and contains no third-party advertising or analytics SDK.
Information on your device
Reading preferences, saved stories, downloaded article text, and a cache of recent news are stored on your device. These are not synchronized to an HCE account. Clear saved stories in app Settings; uninstalling the app removes its local reading data according to your device's backup settings.
Optional news alerts
When alerts become available in the native app, they are off until you opt in. If you enable them, HCE stores a random installation identifier, a push notification token, your selected alert topics, the last registration time, and a one-way hash used to protect changes to your registration. HCE uses Supabase for this registration and Expo, Apple, and Google for notification delivery. These providers process delivery information under their own privacy terms.
Turn off all alert topics in the app to remove your push token and disable your server subscription. HCE retains a non-delivering record containing the random installation identifier, protective hash, and a consent revision so delayed requests cannot undo your choice. If the request fails, the app will show an error so you can retry. Turning off notifications in device settings stops device presentation but does not itself delete a server registration. Contact HCE for help. Inactive registrations are removed during notification maintenance after 90 days. Delivery logs keep random identifiers, alert details, provider ticket identifiers, and delivery status for operational review; they do not contain your name or email address.
Website and external services
The app requests public news, images, and newspaper files from HCE's website. Hosting and delivery providers receive standard network information, such as IP address and request details, needed to serve and protect these services. Following a video or other external link opens that provider's service, where its privacy terms apply.
Email newsletter signup is a separate, optional website service. See HCE's website and E-News privacy information for email subscription handling and unsubscribe instructions. Emailing a tip or support request shares whatever you choose to include with HCE.
Your choices and contact
HCE does not sell app registration information or use it for advertising tracking. For questions about the app or a data request, email hoodcountyexpress@gmail.com. We may ask for information needed to identify your request without collecting unrelated personal details. Updates to these practices will appear on this page.