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VIC mobile app privacy
Applies to the VIC iOS reader, version 2.0 and later. Updated September 9, 2026.
The V.I. Consortium app lets you read reporting without creating an account. This section explains the app’s data use. The website privacy policy below applies when you visit our website, including pages opened from the app.
Reading and local storage
The app requests stories, images and advertisements from VIC and its hosting providers. Their servers receive ordinary connection information, such as an IP address, request time and device or app information, to deliver content, maintain the service and protect against misuse. Previously loaded reporting is cached on your device for limited offline reading. Headline searches are sent to VIC to return results; the app does not save a search history. Local storage also remembers your preferences and when a First-View advertisement was shown.
News notifications
Notifications are optional. The app asks for your iPhone’s notification permission. If you allow them, VIC, Google Firebase Cloud Messaging and Apple Push Notification service use app installation identifiers and delivery tokens to send messages selected by our newsroom. VIC records permission, platform, app version, last registration time and delivery outcomes. Provider services also process technical device and app information needed for delivery.
You can change permission in iPhone Settings. The app checks permission again when you return to it. Turning notifications off removes the installation from active VIC delivery when the change reaches our server and requests deletion of its messaging token. It does not automatically erase previous delivery records or every identifier held by a provider.
Optional usage insights
Usage insights are off by default and are separate from notification permission. If you enable them in the app’s Settings, Google Firebase Analytics records interactions such as opening stories or sections, sharing and opening notifications, along with app activity, technical device information and an app measurement identifier. Google may derive a general location from connection information; the app does not request precise device location.
Disabling usage insights stops future optional Analytics collection and resets the app’s local Analytics identity. Previously processed information is subject to the provider’s retention and deletion controls. Essential delivery and service records described elsewhere on this page are separate from this preference. Included provider software can also process technical diagnostic metadata to maintain its services.
Advertising
The app shows campaigns placed with VIC. VIC records when a loaded advertisement is visibly shown and when it is tapped, using a short-lived receipt for that advertisement, its placement, app platform and event time. These advertising event records do not include a reader identifier, advertising identifier or IP hash. Normal API and image-server connection information still applies. This operational advertising reporting is separate from optional usage insights.
The native reader does not collect Apple’s advertising identifier or vendor identifier for Analytics, or request permission to track you across other companies’ apps and websites. Advertiser websites open only when you tap an advertisement and have their own privacy practices.
Article discussions
From version 2.0.1, a comment badge or Comments button opens the article’s existing website discussion in Apple’s in-app browser. Closing that browser returns you to the article. Reading existing comments does not require an account. Contributing uses the website’s existing sign-in and moderation systems, including Disqus where shown.
When you participate, VIC or Disqus processes the account details and content you provide, such as your name, email address, account identifier, comments and any images or videos you choose to share. Public comments and profile details are visible to other readers. The discussion service also receives ordinary browser and connection information for delivery, account security and moderation. The native reader does not receive your browser password or cookies, and does not add a notification token or app installation identifier to the discussion link.
Disqus advertising and its site-level Tracking setting are disabled for VIC’s discussion. This does not disable ordinary service records or change your preferences on other websites. You can use the discussion’s Privacy link to manage Disqus privacy choices, and consult the Disqus privacy policy for its account, eligibility, retention and deletion practices. The native app’s optional usage-insights switch controls native app Analytics; website and discussion services have their own controls.
Your choices and questions
The native reader does not require your name, email, contacts, camera, microphone or precise location. Choosing website login, a submission page, an external link or a sharing application opens a separate service where additional information may be requested.
Removing local app storage does not erase information already processed by VIC or its providers. Operational delivery and advertising records, security logs and protected backups may remain for support, reporting and service protection. Contact VIC about privacy questions or access and deletion requests through our contact page; include enough context to identify your request, and never send passwords or notification tokens.
For information about the providers used by the app, see Google Firebase privacy and security and Apple’s privacy policy.
VIC website privacy policy
The Virgin Islands Consortium Privacy Policy
The Virgin Islands Consortium takes your privacy very seriously. This privacy policy is intended to inform you about the information that is collected from you when you visit the Virgin Islands Consortium, how this information may be used and disclosed; how you can control the use and disclosure of your information; and how your information is protected.
Purview
This privacy policy applies only to the Site. This policy does not apply to information collected through any other website or to the practices of companies that the Virgin Islands Consortium does not control. Please note that the Site may contain links to other websites. For example, if you click on an advertisement on the Site and link to another website, then this privacy policy will not apply to any information collected on that website. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites, and we recommend that you read the privacy policies of each website that you visit.
Information Collected
Information provided directly to us:
You are not required to provide information directly to us in order to view the Site. However, when you use certain Site functions, such as when you subscribe or register for certain services, access certain content or features, or directly contact the Site, we may ask you to provide information, including:
* Contact information, such as name, email address, postal address, phone number, and mobile number;
* Username and password;
* Information posted in community discussions and other interactive online features;
* Search queries conducted on the Site; and
* Correspondence you send to us.
Billing and Credit Card Information
To enable payment and donations via the VIC Services, we collect and store name, address, telephone number, email address, credit card information and other billing information. This information will only be shared with third parties who help to complete the purchase transaction. Examples of this include fulfilling orders and processing credit card payments.
Information collected automatically when you view the Virgin Islands Consortium
When you visit and interact with the Site, certain information may be collected automatically, including:
* your computer's Internet Protocol (IP) address;
* your browser type and operating system;
* activities within community discussions;
* web pages and advertisements that you view, and links that you click on, within the Site;
* aggregated data about email click-through rates and user video viewing;
* standard server log information; and
* information collected through HTML cookies, Flash cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies.
How we use the information that we collect
Email Communications:
We may use the information that we collect to send you e-mail communications, such as editorial updates, information about your account or changes to the Site, and promotional messages about our own or our marketing partners' products and services. If you signed up for one of our email newsletters, we also will send you the newsletter that you requested.
Advertising
We display advertisements on the Site, many of which are targeted based on information about you. For example, using information collected through cookies, web beacons, and other sources, we may use demographic data or information about your online activities or interests to display targeted advertising that may be relevant to your preferences. Through this process, advertisers reach Site visitors who are most interested in their products, and you see advertising for products or services in which you may be interested.
Some of the advertisements you see on the Site are selected and delivered by third parties, such as ad networks, advertising agencies, advertisers, and audience segment providers. These third parties may collect information about you and your online activities, either on the Site or on other websites, through cookies, web beacons, and other technologies in an effort to understand your interests and deliver to you advertisements that are tailored to your interests.
Please remember that the Virgin Islands Consortium does not have access to, or control over, the information these third parties may collect. The information practices of these third parties are not covered by this privacy policy.
These third parties may offer you a way to choose not to have your information used for advertising purposes. For example, some of these companies are members of the Network Advertising Initiative ("NAI"), which provides a single location where you can opt out of receiving targeted ads from member companies. To opt out, please visit the NAI's website at http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp.
Please note that if you choose to opt out of having your information used to deliver advertisements tailored to your interests, you will continue to see advertisements on the Site, but these advertisements may not be as relevant to you.
Statistical Analysis
In order to learn more about how our Site is used, we aggregate and analyze the data that we collect. We may use this information, for example, to monitor and analyze use of the Site, to increase our Site's functionality, and to better tailor our content and design to suit our visitors' needs.
Enforcement
We may use the information that we collect to prevent illegal activities, to enforce the Site's Terms Conditions, and to otherwise protect our rights and the rights of our users.
In addition to the uses identified above, we may use the information that we collect for any other purposes disclosed to you at the time we collect your information or pursuant to your consent.
Information Sharing
The Virgin Islands Consortium values your privacy, and shares information about our users only under certain circumstances. We will make information about you available to other companies, applications, or people in the circumstances listed below:
* We may share aggregated information or information that does not directly identify you with third parties to help us develop content, services, and advertising that we hope you will find of interest. Please note that we do not share contact information with third parties that advertise on the Site.
* If you choose to engage in public activities on the site, such as posting comments on community message boards, any information you submit can be read, collected, or used by others. Please exercise caution when deciding to disclose any personal information in public activities or submissions.
* We may share information about you in the event that the Site is acquired by or merged with another company or a similar corporate transaction takes place. However, the Site will notify you by placing a prominent notice on our site or sending a notice to the primary email address specified in your account before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
* We may share information about you to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety or other rights and interests of any person, violations of the Site's Terms and Conditions, or as otherwise required by law.
* We may share information about you to respond to subpoenas, search warrants, judicial proceedings, court orders, legal process, or other law enforcement measures, to establish or exercise our legal rights, or to defend against legal claims.
* In addition to the scenarios identified above, we may share information about you for any other purposes disclosed to you at the time we collect your information or pursuant to your consent.
Please note that third parties may independently collect data about you, including your IP address and information about the websites you visit and the links you click, on links, or other means when you visit or view ads on the Site.
Choice/Opt-Out
The Site provides users the opportunity to opt-out of receiving promotional/marketing information from our partners, and us.
You can send an email through the Site's contact page found here.
Contacting the Web Site
If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this Web site, you can contact us here.