SYS.MSG LEGAL_DOCSInformation regarding data collection, privacy, and user accounts.

Privacy Policy

How we collect, store, and process data across DSCOVR.

1. Data Collection & OAuth

When you sign in using GitHub or Google via Auth.js, we receive basic profile details (name, email address, and avatar URL) to establish your reader account (`site-user`). We do not collect passwords or process sensitive personal data.

2. Comments & Interactive Content

Comments submitted on news articles and transmissions are stored in our backend (`Payload CMS`). Anonymous comments are saved without linked profile credentials. All submitted comments undergo moderation (`pending` state) before appearing publicly.

3. Local Storage & Session Cookies

We use secure, HTTP-only session cookies (`AUTH_SECRET`) solely to manage authentication state. Your browser’s `localStorage` may be used to save UI configuration preferences, such as active theme selection or bookmarking preferences.

4. External APIs & Third-Party Data

DSCOVR retrieves content directly from public API endpoints, including NASA Open APIs, EPIC, EONET, NeoWs, and The Space Devs. Your interactions with these datasets adhere to public data access standards, and no personal profile information is shared with external API providers.

5. Data Usage & Analytics

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data to advertising networks. Account metrics and comments are used exclusively to support platform functionality, user notifications, and comment interaction trees.