Reading Time: 4 minutes

Last updated: 4 November 2026

About this policy
This policy explains how Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations, Beirut, Lebanon, handles data in the “مركز الزيتونة / Al-Zaytouna Centre” Android app. It covers both Arabic and English interfaces. Reading does not require an account or sign-in.

Providing content
Requests for articles, images, searches and newsletter files connect the app to the Centre’s websites and hosting providers. Network information such as IP addresses and requested resources is processed to deliver the service and may be handled in operational and security logs. Search text is sent to the Centre’s website to perform the search; the app does not add it to its custom Google Analytics events.

Analytics and improvement
The production release uses Google Analytics for Firebase to understand usage and improve the app and content. The service may process app-instance identifiers, device and operating-system information, app version, sessions, screen views, engagement time and approximate location inferred from network connections, such as country or city. The app does not request GPS or precise-location permission. Our events include interface language and screen names, and may include public article IDs and titles, section opens and notification opens. These events may reveal reading interests; they do not identify readers by name. Our custom events do not include names, email addresses, phone numbers, saved-item lists or search text. We do not use reading data to create profiles of political beliefs or affiliations. Analytics is enabled automatically in the current production release, which has no separate user-facing analytics switch. Notification permission settings do not disable analytics.

Notifications
Firebase Cloud Messaging delivers notifications about the Centre’s content and general announcements. It processes installation identifiers, registration tokens and technical information needed to route messages. The notification audience follows the language selected in the app and may change when you switch language. You can disable notification display in Android settings and continue reading. Disabling display does not necessarily delete Firebase identifiers or stop all service connections.

Saved items, preferences and local storage
Saved articles, language, reading preferences and cached content are stored on your device. This release has no user account or Centre-operated cloud synchronization for saved items. Android may back up app data according to your device and account settings. You can remove saved items in the app or clear app storage in Android settings to remove local data. Clearing storage or uninstalling does not automatically delete data previously sent to services.

Advertising, demographics and permissions
The reviewed release has no Centre-integrated advertising system or in-app purchases. Advertising identifier collection and advertising personalization are disabled in the app’s analytics configuration. We do not ask you to provide your age or gender. Reading does not require access to contacts, camera, microphone or precise location. External destinations may display their own content or request permissions under their own services and policies.

Service providers and external links
Google processes Firebase and Analytics data under its service terms and privacy arrangements. The Centre’s website hosting provider, and its infrastructure providers process content requests and service-related security information. Data may be processed outside Lebanon in countries where these providers operate. We do not sell user data. We may disclose data where required by applicable obligations or to protect the service and users’ rights. Social-media, WhatsApp, email, map, website and PDF links may open external services; information you share with them is subject to their policies. Viewing the contact page alone does not automatically send an email or initiate a WhatsApp conversation.

Security and retention
Core content API and Firebase connections use HTTPS, and administrative analytics access is restricted to authorized personnel. No electronic system can guarantee absolute security. Local data remains until removed or replaced, subject to system backups. Google Analytics retention for detailed user and event data is set to two months, with the option to reset retention on new user activity turned off. Removal follows Google’s processing cycle. Aggregated statistical reports may be retained differently and are not subject to most of these controls. Notification identifiers follow the Firebase service and installation lifecycle. Operational logs and support correspondence are reviewed and retained as necessary for service delivery, security, requests and applicable obligations. Contact us for information about actual retention settings or to request deletion of data that can be associated with your request.

Privacy requests and deletion
For questions or requests to access, correct or delete data where applicable, email [email protected] with the subject “App privacy”. We review requests and verify their connection to relevant data using only necessary information. Do not send passwords, private keys or sensitive notification tokens through unprotected email. Because the app has no signed-in user accounts, we may not be able to identify a specific person’s analytics record, and information may not be separable from aggregated reports. We will explain available actions and any retention required by applicable obligations. Uninstalling stops use of the app on that device; it does not itself request deletion of all previous records.

Audience and updates
The app serves readers, researchers and people interested in Palestinian and political affairs; it is not specifically directed to children. Contact us if you believe a child’s data has been provided inappropriately. Updates will be published here with a revised date, with additional disclosure or consent when required. Reading this policy alone is not automatic consent to processing that requires separate consent.

Contact
Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations
Lebanon, Beirut, Aaiche Bakkar, Ibn Rushud Street, Al-Wisal Building.
PO Box 14-5034, Beirut, Lebanon.

Privacy and support: [email protected]
Arabic website: https://www.alzaytouna.net
English website: https://eng.alzaytouna.net

Google Privacy Policy · Firebase Privacy