ShortKT Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 8, 2026

Last Updated: June 8, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how ShortKT ("ShortKT", "we", "our", or "us") collects, uses, stores, shares, discloses, protects, and processes user information when you access or use the ShortKT mobile application, website, APIs, notifications, advertisements, content services, and related features (collectively, the "Services").

ShortKT is operated by Balmukund Jha, Sole Proprietor of SRIKALASH MARKETING, India.

By using ShortKT, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Services.

1. Business and Contact Information

Application Name: ShortKT

Developer: Balmukund Jha

Business Name: SRIKALASH MARKETING

Country: India

Website: https://shortkt.com

Support Email: support@shortkt.com

2. Scope of this Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

The ShortKT Android mobile application;
The ShortKT website and related web pages;
ShortKT APIs and backend services;
User accounts, login, authentication, and profile features;
News feeds, comments, likes, reports, sharing, and saved content;
Push notifications and communication services;
Advertising, analytics, crash reporting, and performance monitoring services.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites, news publishers, advertising networks, analytics providers, or other third-party services that may be linked from or integrated with ShortKT. Such third parties are governed by their own privacy policies.

3. Age Eligibility

ShortKT is intended for users who are 13 years of age or older. The Services are not intended for children under 13 years of age.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child under 13, we may delete such information. Parents or guardians may contact us at support@shortkt.com.

4. Information We Collect

We may collect different types of information depending on how you use ShortKT.

4.1 Account and Profile Information

When you create or use an account, we may collect:

Full name;
Display name;
Email address;
Mobile number;
Profile photo;
Account login details;
Authentication method;
User preferences;
Language and content preferences;
Account status and account activity.

4.2 Login and Authentication Information

ShortKT may allow login through:

Mobile OTP login;
Email and password login;
Google Sign-In.

For OTP login, we may process your mobile number, OTP verification status, login time, and authentication logs.

For email and password login, we may process your email address and password-related authentication data. Passwords should be stored securely using hashing or encryption practices.

For Google Sign-In, we may receive information from your Google account such as your name, email address, profile image, and account identifier, depending on the permissions granted.

4.3 Device and Technical Information

When you use the app, we may automatically collect:

Device model and manufacturer;
Android version and operating system details;
App version and build information;
Device identifiers;
Advertising ID;
Firebase installation ID or similar identifiers;
IP address;
Network type and connection information;
Language, region, and time zone;
Screen size and device settings;
Error logs, diagnostic logs, crash logs, and performance data.

4.4 Usage and Analytics Information

We may collect information about how you use ShortKT, including:

Articles viewed;
Categories viewed;
Search and navigation activity;
Screen views;
App launches;
Session duration;
Clicks and interactions;
Likes, saved articles, comments, shares, and reports;
Notification opens and engagement;
Ad views, ad clicks, and ad performance data.

4.5 User Content

ShortKT may allow users to interact with content. We may collect and store:

Comments;
Likes or saved news activity;
Shared content activity;
Reports submitted by users;
Feedback and support requests;
Any other information voluntarily submitted by users.

4.6 Notification Information

To send push notifications, we may collect and process:

Firebase Cloud Messaging token;
Notification preferences;
Notification delivery status;
Notification open and engagement data.

5. App Permissions

ShortKT currently uses limited permissions necessary for app functionality.

5.1 Internet Permission

Internet permission is used to:

Load news content;
Connect to ShortKT backend APIs;
Authenticate users;
Load images and media;
Display advertisements;
Use analytics and crash reporting services;
Open third-party news source links.

5.2 Notification Permission

Notification permission is used to send:

Breaking news alerts;
Trending news updates;
Category-based news alerts;
Service announcements;
Important app updates;
Marketing or promotional notifications, where applicable.

You can disable notifications at any time through your device settings or app settings, where available.

6. How We Use Your Information

We may use collected information for the following purposes:

6.1 To Provide and Operate the Services

Create and manage user accounts;
Authenticate users;
Deliver news content;
Maintain app functionality;
Enable likes, comments, reports, sharing, and saved content;
Provide customer support.

6.2 To Personalize User Experience

Recommend news content;
Improve feed relevance;
Remember user preferences;
Customize notifications and content categories.

6.3 To Improve and Secure the Services

Analyze app performance;
Detect crashes and bugs;
Improve app stability;
Prevent fraud, abuse, spam, and unauthorized access;
Monitor security risks.

6.4 To Send Notifications and Communications

Send news notifications;
Send important service updates;
Respond to user requests;
Send marketing or promotional messages where permitted.

6.5 To Display and Measure Advertisements

Show ads inside the app;
Measure ad performance;
Prevent ad fraud;
Improve advertising relevance;
Support app monetization.

6.6 To Comply with Legal Obligations

Comply with applicable laws and lawful requests;
Enforce our Terms and policies;
Investigate violations;
Protect our rights, users, and the public.

7. News Content, Sources, and Third-Party Links

ShortKT is a news aggregation and news discovery platform. Content may be aggregated from third-party sources, manually rewritten by editors, AI-assisted, summarized, categorized, or otherwise processed.

Where available, we display the source name, publisher name, and/or original source link. Users may open the original source link inside the app or through an external browser.

ShortKT does not control third-party publisher websites and is not responsible for their privacy policies, content, accuracy, advertisements, tracking technologies, or data practices. Users should review the privacy policies of such third-party websites before interacting with them.

8. Analytics and Crash Reporting

ShortKT may use analytics and diagnostic services including:

Firebase Analytics;
Google Analytics;
Firebase Crashlytics;
Internal analytics and monitoring tools.

These services may collect app usage data, device data, crash data, diagnostics, and interaction data.

Analytics and crash reporting help us understand app performance, fix bugs, improve features, monitor user engagement, and enhance user experience.

9. Advertising Partners

ShortKT may display advertisements through third-party ad networks and advertising partners, including:

Google AdMob;
Meta Audience Network / Facebook Audience Network;
AppLovin;
Unity Ads;
ironSource;
Custom/direct advertising partners;
Other advertising partners added in the future.

Advertising partners may collect or process information such as:

Advertising ID;
Device identifiers;
IP address;
App activity;
Ad views;
Ad clicks;
Approximate location inferred from IP address;
Device and network information;
Ad performance and conversion data.

These advertising partners may use SDKs, cookies, pixels, local storage, or similar technologies according to their own privacy policies. ShortKT does not control all third-party advertising practices.

10. Firebase and Google Services

ShortKT may use Firebase and Google services for:

Authentication;
Analytics;
Crash reporting;
Push notifications;
App performance monitoring;
Security and fraud prevention.

Information processed by Firebase or Google services is subject to Google's applicable privacy terms and service policies.

11. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We may share information in the following circumstances:

11.1 Service Providers

We may share information with vendors and service providers who help us operate ShortKT, including:

Cloud hosting providers;
Backend infrastructure providers;
Database providers;
Authentication providers;
Analytics providers;
Crash reporting providers;
Notification providers;
Customer support providers.

11.2 Advertising and Analytics Partners

We may share or allow collection of information by advertising and analytics partners as described in this Privacy Policy.

11.3 Legal and Regulatory Authorities

We may disclose information if required to do so by:

Applicable law;
Court order;
Government request;
Law enforcement request;
Regulatory obligation.

11.4 Protection of Rights and Safety

We may disclose information when necessary to:

Protect ShortKT, users, or the public;
Investigate fraud, abuse, or security incidents;
Enforce our Terms and policies;
Prevent illegal activity.

11.5 Business Transfers

If ShortKT or SRIKALASH MARKETING is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, sale of assets, or business transfer, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law.

12. Data Storage and Security

ShortKT uses Laravel backend APIs, Firebase services, cloud infrastructure, databases, and related systems to operate the Services.

We implement reasonable security measures, including:

Authentication controls;
Access restrictions;
Encrypted communication where applicable;
Password hashing where applicable;
Security monitoring;
Administrative safeguards;
Technical safeguards;
Regular review of security practices where feasible.

However, no electronic transmission, mobile application, server, database, or storage system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

13. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to:

Provide the Services;
Maintain user accounts;
Comply with legal obligations;
Resolve disputes;
Prevent fraud and abuse;
Enforce our agreements;
Maintain business records;
Improve and secure the Services.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, purpose of processing, legal requirements, security needs, and business requirements.

Some data may remain in backups, logs, or archival systems for a limited period even after account deletion.

14. Account Deletion

Users may request account deletion through:

In-app account deletion option;
Email request to support@shortkt.com.

The in-app deletion option may open the user's email application with account details attached or prefilled for verification and processing.

To request deletion by email, users should include:

Registered mobile number;
Registered email address;
Full name;
Reason for deletion, optional.

We may verify account ownership before processing deletion requests. Deletion requests are generally processed within 7 to 30 business days, subject to verification and legal requirements.

After deletion, we may delete or anonymize:

Profile information;
Login information;
Saved preferences;
Saved articles and likes where technically feasible;
Comments where legally and technically feasible;
Notification tokens linked to the account.

Certain information may be retained if required for legal compliance, fraud prevention, security, dispute resolution, backup recovery, or legitimate business purposes.

15. User Rights and Choices

Subject to applicable law, users may have the right to:

Access personal information;
Correct inaccurate information;
Request deletion of information;
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
Object to certain processing;
Request restriction of processing;
Request information about data sharing;
Disable notifications;
Reset or limit advertising ID through device settings where supported.

Requests may be submitted to support@shortkt.com. We may require verification before fulfilling requests.

16. Notification Choices

You may disable push notifications through your Android device settings or through app settings where available.

Disabling notifications may prevent you from receiving breaking news alerts, category alerts, service announcements, and promotional messages.

17. Advertising Choices

Users may manage certain advertising preferences through Android settings, Google settings, or device-level privacy controls. Availability of these controls depends on your device, operating system, region, and advertising partners.

Resetting or limiting your Advertising ID may affect personalized advertising but may not remove all ads.

18. Cookies, SDKs, and Similar Technologies

ShortKT and third-party partners may use cookies, SDKs, local storage, device identifiers, advertising IDs, pixels, APIs, and similar technologies to operate the Services, authenticate users, analyze usage, deliver advertisements, detect fraud, and improve performance.

In mobile applications, SDKs may perform functions similar to cookies used on websites.

19. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in India or other countries where our service providers, advertising partners, analytics providers, or infrastructure providers operate.

Data protection laws in such countries may differ from those in your location. By using ShortKT, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred and processed outside your region where permitted by applicable law.

20. Legal Basis for Processing

Where applicable, we may process information based on:

Your consent;
Performance of a contract;
Compliance with legal obligations;
Legitimate business interests;
Protection of rights, safety, and security.

21. Indian Law and Compliance

ShortKT is operated from India and aims to comply with applicable Indian laws, rules, and regulations, including applicable information technology, data protection, consumer protection, and intermediary-related obligations where applicable.

Users are responsible for using the Services in compliance with applicable laws in their jurisdiction.

22. Google Play Compliance

ShortKT intends to comply with Google Play Developer Program Policies, Google Play User Data Policy, Google Play Data Safety requirements, and applicable privacy requirements.

We disclose data collection, data sharing, security practices, and account deletion options in accordance with Google Play requirements.

23. Third-Party Privacy Policies

Third-party services integrated with ShortKT may have their own privacy policies. Users should review those policies for more information about third-party data processing.

Examples of third-party services may include:

Google Firebase;
Google Analytics;
Google AdMob;
Meta Audience Network;
AppLovin;
Unity Ads;
ironSource;
News publishers and source websites.

24. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates may be made to reflect changes in law, technology, business practices, app features, advertising partners, analytics providers, or user feedback.

Updated versions will be posted on this page. The "Last Updated" date will indicate the latest revision.

For significant changes, we may notify users through app notices, website notices, email, or push notifications where appropriate.

Continued use of ShortKT after changes are published means you acknowledge the updated Privacy Policy.

25. Grievance and Contact Information

For privacy-related questions, account deletion requests, support requests, legal notices, or grievances, contact:

Balmukund Jha
Sole Proprietor, SRIKALASH MARKETING
Application: ShortKT
Country: India
Website: https://shortkt.com
Email: support@shortkt.com

We recommend contacting us before using the Services if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy.

End of Privacy Policy