Privacy Policy

Effective date: 27 September 2026 (updated for in-app ads)

This policy explains what information BraceCoder ("we", "us") collects when you use the website bracecoder.in and the BraceCoder Android app (package com.bracecoder.app), how we use it, and the choices you have. The app is a client for the same service as the website, so this one policy covers both.

In short: you can read everything in the app without an account. If you create one, we store your name, username, email and what you do on BraceCoder (comments, bookmarks, progress). The app shows ads from Google AdMob (see section 4), has no analytics SDK, and does not access your location, contacts, camera, microphone or files. We do not sell your data.

1. Information we collect

Account information (only if you register)

  • Full name, username, email address and password. Passwords are stored only as a secure hash.
  • Optional profile details you add: bio, website link and profile picture.
  • If you sign in with Google on the website, the name, email address and profile picture Google shares with us.
  • One-time codes (OTP) we email you to verify sign-in or reset your password. These expire after a few minutes.

Content and activity you create

  • Comments and replies, ratings, bookmarks and course/lesson progress.
  • Answers to "Did this fix your issue?" and any note you add to them.
  • Your email address if you subscribe to the newsletter.
  • Download requests (the file requested, time, and the IP address that requested the download link).

Information collected automatically

  • Account activity: the time you last signed in and were last active, so we can manage inactive accounts.
  • Server logs: like any website, our server records IP addresses, request times, the pages or API endpoints requested and the browser or app user agent. We use these for security, abuse prevention and fixing errors.
  • Search queries: search terms (without your name or account) so we can see which topics are missing.
  • App install ID: the app creates a random ID on your device, used only so the same device cannot vote more than once on "Did this fix your issue?". It is not linked to your device hardware or advertising ID.
  • Website only: page view statistics, cookies needed for sign-in and security, and Google Analytics and Google AdSense cookies (see section 4). None of these run inside the Android app.
  • Ads in the app: the Google Mobile Ads SDK (AdMob) collects information such as your device's advertising ID, IP address, app and device information and how you interact with ads, to show and measure ads (see section 4).

What the Android app stores on your device

  • Your sign-in token, kept in encrypted storage on your device. It expires after 90 days and is removed when you sign out.
  • Your settings, such as light or dark theme, and the install ID described above.
  • Files you choose to download, saved to your phone's Downloads/BraceCoder folder.

The app asks only for Internet access and the advertising ID permission used by Google AdMob. App data is excluded from Android cloud backup.

2. How we use information

  • To create and secure your account, sign you in and send verification or password-reset codes.
  • To show your comments, bookmarks, ratings and progress, and to email you when someone replies to your comment (you can turn this off from the link in the email or in your profile).
  • To send the newsletter if you subscribed (every email has an unsubscribe link).
  • To protect the service: rate limiting, blocking abuse and spam, and investigating errors.
  • To understand which content is useful and what to write next, using aggregated statistics.

We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information, and we never give your name, email or account data to advertisers.

3. Public information

Your name or username, profile picture and any comments you post are visible to other visitors on the website and in the app. Please do not include private information in comments.

4. Third-party services

  • Hosting and email: our servers and the email service we use to send codes and notifications process data on our behalf.
  • YouTube: course videos and some articles embed YouTube players. When a video loads, YouTube (Google) may collect data under the Google Privacy Policy.
  • Google AdMob (Android app): shows banner, native and optional rewarded video ads in the app (guests can watch a rewarded ad to download a file). Google may use your advertising ID and device information to show personalised ads, as described in How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services. In the UK, EEA and Switzerland, the app asks for your consent first; you can change your choice any time under Profile → Ad privacy choices. On Android you can reset or delete your advertising ID in Settings → Privacy → Ads.
  • Google Analytics and Google AdSense (website only): used to measure traffic and show ads on bracecoder.in. You can control ad personalisation at Google Ad Settings.
  • Google Sign-In (website only): if you choose to sign in with Google.
  • Razorpay: donations are processed by Razorpay. "Support BraceCoder" in the app opens our website in your browser; we never see or store your card or bank details. See the Razorpay Privacy Policy.

5. Data security

All traffic between the app or your browser and our servers is encrypted with HTTPS. Passwords are hashed, sign-in codes are limited to a few attempts, and the app keeps its sign-in token in encrypted storage. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, but we work to protect your information.

6. Data retention

We keep your account information for as long as your account exists. Server logs, page view and search statistics are kept only as long as needed for security and analysis. When your account is deleted, your profile and personal data are removed; we may keep limited records where the law requires it.

7. Your choices and deleting your account

  • You can view and edit your name, bio and website from your profile in the app or on the website, and change your password at any time.
  • You can sign out of the app at any time, which removes the sign-in token from your device. Uninstalling the app removes all app data from your device.
  • To delete your account and associated data, use the Delete your account page (also linked from Profile in the app): enter your account email, confirm with the code we email you, and your account is scheduled for deletion. We delete your account, profile, bookmarks, progress, ratings and comments within 30 days. You can also email support@bracecoder.in from your registered email address.
  • You can also email us to request a copy of your data or to correct it.

8. Children's privacy

BraceCoder is intended for developers and students aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the website and app change. The effective date at the top will show when it was last changed, and significant changes will be announced on the website or in the app.

10. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email support@bracecoder.in.