Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Maksim Micheliov, operating as WorldBrief ("we", "us", "our"), collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our service.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information

An account is optional. If you create one, we store your email address and name. If you sign in with Google or LinkedIn, we receive your name, email address and profile picture from that service. If you sign up with an email address, your password is stored only in hashed form; we never see or keep it in plain text.

Usage Data

We collect information about how WorldBrief is used, such as pages visited, time spent on pages and referring sites, through Google Analytics (only with your consent) and server logs.

Cookies

WorldBrief uses cookies for:

• Authentication: session cookies to keep you signed in,
• Analytics: cookies set by Google Analytics (GA4) to understand usage patterns,
• Preferences: a cookie to remember your language.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some features.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• provide, maintain, and improve the service,
• authenticate your identity and manage your account,
• understand usage patterns and improve the product,
• communicate important updates about the service,
• send donors the thank-you offered on the Support page.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

3. Third-Party Services

WorldBrief uses the following third-party services that may collect data:

• Google Analytics (GA4): for website analytics and usage tracking,
• Auth.js: for signing in with Google or LinkedIn, or with an email address,
• PayPal: processes donations. We receive your name, email address, the amount and any note you add; card and bank details stay with PayPal,
• Render: hosts the website and its database, and sees your IP address when you visit.

Each service operates under its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review them.

4. Data Retention

We keep account information for as long as your account exists. Analytics data is kept in aggregate form for up to 26 months (the Google Analytics default). Donation records are kept as long as accounting and tax rules require. If you ask us to delete your account, we remove your personal information within 30 days, except where the law requires us to keep it.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you,
• Correct inaccurate personal data,
• Delete your personal data,
• Export your data in a portable format,
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your data.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email below.

6. GDPR (European Users)

If you are in the European Economic Area, our legal basis for processing your data is: consent (for analytics cookies), contract (for providing your account), and legitimate interest (for running and improving the service, preventing abuse, and thanking donors).

7. CCPA (California Users)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion, and opt out of the sale of personal information. WorldBrief does not sell personal information.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), secure authentication, and restricted database access. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via the service or by email. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision.

10. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your data rights, contact us at max@worldbrief.info.