Privacy Statement

Last updated: December 11, 2023

Introduction

This privacy statement describes how we use data collected from our personalized news applications (including Apex News, Apex Football, Opera News, and others, collectively the “Software”) as well as related websites and other services. Some of the data we collect may be considered “personal data” under applicable law. The exact categories of data we collect, why we collect it, what we do with it, and your choices depend on the Software or service you use, as is described in more detail below.

Personalized News Content

Our Software’s core function is to provide you with news content tailored to your interests. In order to do this, we collect various data about you and your interests through the Software. We process advertising IDs, device data (phone manufacturer and model, device preferences) and information about your general location (specific to approximately which city you live in). If you choose to provide it to us by filling in your profile, we may also collect your phone contact list, and personal information like gender, education, occupation, birthdate, and other profile-related information. Additionally, if you log in with Facebook, we may receive your Facebook friends list. We retain this data for up to four years. We also collect data about which articles, videos, or other content you view, share, like, or respond to, which we retain for up to one year. We process this data based on your consent. If you would like to withdraw your consent, you may do so through the “Settings” menu.

Personalized Ads

As described in our terms of service, our Software is ad-supported. Ads help us keep the lights on and continue to provide free products for our users. In order to provide our news services and serve targeted ads, we collect data such as advertising IDs from your device and your general location, as well as data you submit to us if you choose to create or update a user profile (such as your name, birth date, phone contact list, occupation, etc.). These targeted ads are provided by our monetization partners. We process this data based on your consent. You can always adjust your personalized ad choices or withdraw your consent in the application’s “Settings” menu.

News Account

You do not need to sign in or create an account in order to use the Software or view content. However, our Software may prompt you to create a News account. The News account allows you to comment on articles, share content, follow other news users, and receive notifications about topics you follow. You do not have to create a News account to use the Software or view content. You may add data such as username, gender, birthdate, education, and occupation, as well as a publicly visible bio, to the News account. We use this information to provide you with a more personalized experience. If you log in using Facebook or Twitter, we will receive your account username and profile picture from those sites. If you log in using your phone number, your phone number will be used as your display name. We will retain data you upload to your account for as long as your account is active. We process this data based on your consent. You can modify your account, withdraw consent, and delete data by navigating to your application’s settings menu.

Usage Statistics and Crash Reports

When you install an Opera application, a random installation ID is generated. We collect this identifier, as well as device ID, hardware specifications (model, release date, etc.), operating system, environment configuration, and feature usage data. We use this data to improve our products and services. For example, we may use it to analyze how our users interact with our applications, or to determine the effectiveness of promotional campaigns, or to detect and debug problems. We have no practical way to use this information to identify you personally. We may retain this usage data for up to three years. You can opt out of reporting Usage statistics through the application settings menu and disabling Usage statistics at the bottom of the settings menu.

If an application crashes, we collect a log that includes some information about your browser’s version, your operating system, platform and some memory data related to the crash. We collect this data with the sole purpose of improving our products and services. Crash logs are kept for 6 months.

If you visit our websites, we may collect your IP address to help diagnose problems with our servers and to administer our websites. We use IP addresses solely for this purpose and may keep website access logs up to six months. Some websites may also set third party cookies. We only set third party cookies if you agree to such processing. You may block third party cookies at any time through your browser settings.

Hype

Depending on where you live, you may be able to access the Hype messaging service within the Software. If you choose to use Hype, you will be prompted to provide your phone number, which is required to operate the service. You will also be asked if you agree to give Hype access to your contacts, in order to connect with other Hype users. You do not need to share your contacts in order to use the service. We will retain your phone number and contacts for as long as you use Hype. Additionally, you also have the option to upload profile information at your discretion, including a user name, avatar, and your friends. We use the data you provide in order to provide the service. If you delete your account, or go inactive for a while, we will retain this data for a short period of time in case you decide to reactivate.

Third Parties

Our applications and services include third-party technology or code, some of which may use your data in different ways. When such third-party technologies use previously collected data, they typically act as data processors for us. When they collect data on their own, they typically act as independent data controllers.

Opera News Apps and Services use all or some of the following:

  • Appsflyer
  • Google LLC
    • Google AdMob
    • Firebase
    • FCM Messaging
    • Firebase Crashstats
  • Huawei
    • Hi Analytics (Huawei-only Huawei preload)
    • Huawei HMS PushKit
  • Meta Platforms Inc.
    • Facebook Audience Network
    • Facebook RTB
    • Facebook Login & AccountKit
    • Facebook Analytics
  • Oppo Push
    • Xiaomi Inc.
  • MiPush

International Data Transfers

In different contexts we may share or make available data (including personal data) with other members of the Opera Group, and sometimes with third parties, such as our marketing and monetization partners. Where applicable, we insist that a legally valid mechanism is used to protect such transfer, including for example the European Union’s model contracts for the transfer of personal data to third countries (also known as the “standard contractual clauses”) to ensure adequate protection of your personal data.

Your Rights

You have the right to make a request to access or delete any of your personal data that we might possess. You can make a request via this online request form or by contacting our Data Protection Officer at the address below. You may be required to provide additional information to authenticate your request. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with Datatilsynet, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, which can be contacted through their webpage.

Contacts

The data controller for the Software is Opera Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd., a company registered under the laws of Singapore. The controller’s representative in the European Economic Area is Opera Norway AS, a Norwegian company.

If you have any questions about this statement or any privacy issues in our applications or services, feel free to contact our Data Protection Officer via this form.

If you feel that any content violates your rights, including copyright, you are requested to immediately notify Opera via online form and/or report the Content using the available reporting functionality built into our software application.