The Voice Of Sikkim

Sikkim News Since 2002

Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY
The Voice Of Sikkim Website and Sikkim News Mobile App

Last updated: 17 September 2026

  1. Who We Are

The Voice Of Sikkim operates the website www.voiceofsikkim.com and the Sikkim News mobile application.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and protect information when you access our website, use our mobile application, register an account or communicate with us.

In this policy, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to The Voice Of Sikkim. “Services” refers to our website and mobile application.

For privacy enquiries, contact info@voiceofsikkim.com.

  1. Information We Collect

Account information

When you register in the Sikkim News app, you provide an email address and password. These credentials are processed to create your account, authenticate your login and provide access to account features.

Information you voluntarily submit

When you contact us, send feedback, submit news tips or use available website forms, we receive the information you choose to provide. This may include your name, email address, contact details, messages and attachments.

Technical information

Our website and the services integrated into our app may process technical information such as IP addresses, browser and device details, operating system, access times, usage activity and diagnostic information.

Information processed through advertising and push notifications is explained below.

  1. How We Use Information

We use information to:

• Create and manage user accounts.
• Authenticate users and support account access.
• Deliver news and maintain our website and app.
• Send news alerts through push notifications.
• Respond to enquiries, feedback and support requests.
• Display advertisements and measure advertising performance.
• Understand usage and resolve technical problems.
• Detect fraud, spam and misuse.
• Fulfil applicable legal obligations.

Where consent is required, we seek it before the relevant processing. Merely accessing our Services does not replace any legally required consent.

  1. Google AdMob Advertising

The Sikkim News app uses Google AdMob to display advertisements.

Google’s Mobile Ads SDK collects and shares information for advertising, analytics and fraud prevention. This can include IP addresses, advertising and other device identifiers, app interactions and diagnostic information. IP addresses may be used to estimate a device’s general location.

The information processed depends on the SDK version, configuration and applicable privacy choices. Advertising identifiers may be processed where available and permitted.

You can manage advertising identifiers through your Android device’s privacy or advertising settings. Where applicable, additional advertising consent controls are provided within the app. Non-personalised advertising may still involve data processing for purposes such as fraud prevention and reporting.

For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy:
https://policies.google.com/privacy

  1. Firebase Push Notifications

We use Firebase Cloud Messaging, a Google service, to deliver news alerts and other service notifications.

Firebase processes installation identifiers and notification registration tokens to route messages to the appropriate app installation. Google also processes technical service information needed to operate and protect Firebase.

You can disable notifications through your device settings. Disabling notification display does not necessarily delete an existing Firebase installation identifier or stop all technical processing by the notification service.

For more information, see Firebase’s privacy information:
https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

  1. Website Cookies and Embedded Content

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support functionality, remember preferences and understand website usage.

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Restricting cookies may affect some website features.

Articles may contain embedded videos, social-media posts or other content supplied by external platforms. Loading or interacting with this content may allow those platforms to receive your IP address, device information and interaction data, or use cookies under their own privacy policies.

External websites linked from our Services have their own privacy practices.

  1. How Information Is Shared

Information is disclosed where necessary to:

• Providers supporting hosting, account management, communications and other service operations.
• Google through AdMob and Firebase, as described in this policy.
• Authorities or other recipients where disclosure is required by applicable law or valid legal process.
• Relevant parties where necessary to investigate misuse or protect users, our Services or legal rights.

Material you submit for public display, such as a published comment, may be visible to other people.

Third-party providers may process information outside India, including in countries where they operate infrastructure. Their processing is subject to applicable terms and data-protection requirements.

  1. Account Deletion and Privacy Requests

You can request deletion through the account-deletion option available in the Sikkim News app.

You can also request account deletion without using the app by emailing info@voiceofsikkim.com with the subject “Sikkim News Account Deletion.” Please identify the registered email address. We may verify account ownership before processing the request. Do not send your password.

When an account is deleted, we delete its associated personal information unless limited retention is necessary for legal obligations, security, fraud prevention or resolving disputes. Where such an exception applies, we explain the reason.

You may also contact us to request access to, correction of or deletion of personal information, or to withdraw consent where processing relies on consent, subject to applicable law.

Uninstalling the app does not automatically delete your account or previously stored information.

  1. Data Retention

Account information is retained while your account remains active and as necessary to provide account services.

Enquiries and support correspondence are retained for as long as needed to address the matter and any related dispute or legal obligation. Technical records are retained only as needed for service operation, troubleshooting and security.

Information that is no longer needed is deleted or anonymised. Residual backup copies may remain until replaced or deleted through the applicable backup cycle.

Google applies its own service-specific retention arrangements. Firebase states that installation identifiers are retained until deletion is initiated through its service; removal from its live and backup systems can then take up to 180 days.

  1. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, alteration and disclosure.

Access to personal information is limited to those who need it for the purposes described in this policy. Security arrangements must include appropriate protection for account credentials and information transmitted over networks.

No internet transmission or electronic storage system can guarantee absolute security.

  1. Children’s Privacy

Our Services provide news for a general audience.

Children should not submit personal information or create an account without the involvement of a parent or guardian where required by applicable law. Where parental consent is legally required, it must be obtained before the relevant processing.

If you believe a child has provided personal information without the required consent, contact info@voiceofsikkim.com so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

  1. Optional Community Initiatives

Optional initiatives, including blood-donor registration, may request information beyond that needed to read news or maintain an app account.

The collection form or accompanying notice must explain the information requested, its purpose, who can access or receive it, and how participants can withdraw or request deletion. This policy applies alongside any initiative-specific privacy notice.

  1. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when our Services or data practices change.

The revised policy will be published on this page with an updated date. Where required, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before introducing a new use of personal information.

  1. Contact Us

For privacy questions, complaints or account and data-deletion requests, contact:

The Voice Of Sikkim
Email: info@voiceofsikkim.com
Website: https://www.voiceofsikkim.com
Mobile application: Sikkim News