Privacy Policy

Valnir ehf.

Last Updated: March 31, 2025

Welcome to Metal & Rock Zone (the "App"), dedicated to bringing you the latest news and videos about metal and rock music. We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you use our App. By using the App, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information when you use Metal & Rock Zone:

A. Information You Provide to Us

• Optional Account Information: If you choose to create an account or save your preferences, you may provide us with:
• Email address
• Name
• Profile picture
• These details are optional and used to store your preferences, such as favorite articles and selected news sources.

B. Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: We collect standard technical information when you use the App, including:
• IP address
• Device type and operating system
• App usage statistics (e.g., most-read articles, video interactions)
• Date and time of access
• News Preferences: Information about articles you favorite or news sources you select, linked to your device or account (if provided).

C. Information from Third Parties

• The App aggregates news content from various RSS feeds of metal and rock music sources, displaying images, headlines, news source names, and collection date/time. We do not collect personal data directly from these feeds, only publicly available article metadata.
• When you click a news article, it opens in a webview within the App, loading the full content from the third-party website. Data collection by these websites is governed by their own privacy policies.
• The App lists YouTube videos from the Metal & Rock Zone YouTube channel. Interaction with these videos (e.g., watching in-app or redirecting to YouTube) may involve data collection by YouTube, subject to Google’s Privacy Policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and improve the App’s functionality, such as displaying news article lists, saving your favorite articles, tailoring content based on your selected news sources, and listing YouTube videos from our channel.
• Store your preferences if you provide an email address for account purposes.
• Analyze usage trends (e.g., most-read articles, video views) to enhance user experience.
• Ensure the security and integrity of the App.
• Comply with legal obligations under applicable laws, including GDPR.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party providers who assist us in operating the App (e.g., hosting, analytics), under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Third-Party Websites: When you view articles in the webview, the third-party website may collect data (e.g., IP address, cookies) as per its own privacy policy. We do not control this data collection.
• YouTube/Google: When you interact with YouTube videos (in-app or externally), Google may collect data per its Privacy Policy. Watching videos in-app uses YouTube’s embedded player, which may track usage.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, or legal process (e.g., a court order), or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Valnir ehf., our users, or the public.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

As an Icelandic company, we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We process your personal data based on:

• Consent: For optional data like email, name, and picture, which you provide voluntarily.
• Legitimate Interests: For usage data (e.g., IP address) to operate and improve the App, including displaying news and videos.
• Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights under GDPR or similar laws:

• Access, correct, or delete your personal data.
• Restrict or object to our processing of your data.
• Request data portability.
• Withdraw consent at any time (where applicable), without affecting prior processing.

To exercise these rights, contact us at metalapp@valnir.is. We will respond within the legally required timeframe (typically 30 days under GDPR).

6. Data Retention

• Optional account data (email, name, picture) is retained as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. You can delete your account at any time through the App settings, after which this data will be erased.
• Usage data (e.g., IP address) is retained only as long as necessary for operational purposes or legal requirements, typically no longer than 12 months.
• Anonymized data (e.g., aggregated usage statistics) may be kept indefinitely.

7. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children’s Privacy

Metal & Rock Zone is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn such data has been collected, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

As an Icelandic company, your data is primarily processed within the European Economic Area (EEA). If we transfer data outside the EEA (e.g., to service providers or YouTube), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

• News Articles: The App displays news summaries (images, headlines, source, date/time) from RSS feeds. Clicking an article opens it in a webview, loading content directly from the third-party website. These sites may collect data independently.
• YouTube Videos: Videos from our Metal & Rock Zone YouTube channel can be watched in-app via an embedded player or redirected to YouTube’s website/app. Google’s Privacy Policy governs data collection by YouTube.
• We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted in the App with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Valnir ehf.
Email: metalapp@valnir.is