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Last updated: 27 June 2026
This privacy policy explains how the “Podcasts AM” app for Android and iOS (the “app”) handles your data. It applies only to this app and not to any third-party websites, app stores or social media profiles.
The controller within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and service provider under § 5 of the German Digital Services Act (DDG), is:
Andreas Maier
Dürerstr. 14, 73547 Lorch, Germany
Email: andreas_maier@me.com
No data protection officer has been appointed under Art. 37 GDPR, as there is no legal obligation to do so (individual developer, no large-scale processing of personal data). For privacy questions, please contact the controller directly.
“Podcasts AM” is a privacy-friendly podcast player. The controller operates no servers of its own and does not itself collect, receive or store any personal data of users.
Unlike a purely offline app, however, “Podcasts AM” establishes connections to third-party servers in order to fulfil its purpose (podcast charts, search, playback and download of episodes). As is technically unavoidable for any internet connection, your IP address is transmitted to the third-party servers contacted. This data is not sent to the controller; it is processed by the respective third-party servers under their own responsibility. See section 4 for details.
The following connections are required for the app’s core functions. In each case your IP address and technical connection data (e.g. time of the request, content requested, possibly a client identifier “user agent”) are transmitted. The controller does not receive or store this data.
To show popular podcasts/episodes and for search, the app queries Apple’s public interfaces (Apple “iTunes Search/Lookup” API and the “Marketing Tools / Top Podcasts” RSS endpoints).
When you play or download an episode, your device connects directly to the RSS/media server (host or content delivery network) of the respective podcast. The audio is obtained directly from there; the controller does not re-host any content.
Using the corresponding button opens, at your request, the related Apple Podcasts page in an external app or your default browser. Only through this action initiated by you is data transmitted to Apple; Apple’s privacy terms then apply. Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in the requested link).
Note: beyond the connections described in this section that are required for functionality, no internet data transmission takes place. No data is transmitted for advertising, analytics or tracking purposes.
The following is stored exclusively locally on your device (local database/file system) and is not transmitted to the controller or third parties:
You can remove this data at any time yourself – by deleting individual subscriptions/downloads in the app, or by uninstalling the app or clearing the app data in your device settings.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in providing the app functions you requested). Processing takes place exclusively locally on your device.
| Function / permission | Purpose | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Internet/network access | Retrieving charts/search (Apple) and playback/download of episodes (podcast hosts) | Transmits your IP to the contacted third-party servers; nothing is transmitted to the controller |
| Foreground service “media playback” (Android) | Background playback and control via lock screen/notification | Local playback control only, no data transmission |
| Notifications (playback notification) | Showing the playback controls as a notification | Local, no server-side push service |
The controller itself does not share any personal data with third parties and does not use any processors. The recipients in the context of the technically required connections (section 4) are exclusively:
These parties act as their own controllers. No sharing for advertising, analytics or tracking purposes takes place; no advertising IDs are processed and no third-party data-collection SDKs are included.
The app is obtained and updated via the respective app store (Google Play or Apple App Store). The operators of these stores and your device’s operating system may independently collect data over which the controller has no influence. The privacy terms of Google and Apple apply.
The controller stores no personal data; no server-side storage takes place. The data stored locally on your device (section 5) remains there until you delete it yourself (in the app or by uninstalling). At the third-party servers mentioned in section 4, storage (e.g. of server logs) is governed by the respective providers’ terms.
Under the GDPR you have – subject to the respective legal requirements – the right of access (Art. 15), rectification (Art. 16), erasure (Art. 17), restriction of processing (Art. 18), data portability (Art. 20) and a right to object (Art. 21). As the controller does not itself collect or store any personal data, such requests will in substance relate primarily to the data held locally on your device, which you can view and delete yourself at any time.
There is no automated decision-making, including profiling, within the meaning of Art. 22 GDPR.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority (Art. 77 GDPR), in particular in the Member State of your residence or workplace.
The app is not specifically directed at children and does not knowingly collect personal data from children. As the controller collects no data, no age-related data is processed.
This privacy policy may be updated if the app, the services used or the legal situation change. The current version published here applies (see “Last updated” at the top).
For privacy questions, contact the controller at andreas_maier@me.com.