Plain-language policy

Privacy

Last updated 4 October 2026

Who this policy covers

This policy explains how FollowTether accesses, uses, stores, shares, protects, retains and deletes information when you use the service or join the launch list. Questions and privacy requests can be sent to support@followtether.com.

Google user data FollowTether accesses

When you connect your Google account, FollowTether uses Google OAuth and requests read-only access. It accesses your Google account identifier, name and email address; your YouTube channel’s public profile details; your YouTube subscription list; and public channel and recent-video information associated with those subscriptions. Basic monitoring uses read-only YouTube access. If you enable optional YouTube controls, we request additional permission (youtube.force-ssl) so you can subscribe or unsubscribe, submit or remove video likes, and post, reply to, edit or delete your own comments. These actions occur only when you request them. FollowTether does not upload videos or receive your Google password.

Search, playback and comments

YouTube searches and requested comment actions are sent to Google to provide the features you choose. Public search results may be cached briefly. Comments are retrieved on demand; FollowTether does not store a separate database of your YouTube comments. Posted comments and edits are public on YouTube and subject to its moderation. YouTube embeds may collect playback information under Google’s privacy policy. Optional FollowTether watch history is saved on this device, separately for each connected account, for up to 30 days and 100 videos. It records playback in FollowTether, not your YouTube account history. Videos identified as made for children are excluded. Use “Clear watch history” to remove it. Account deletion does not automatically remove device-local watch history. Your last ten video searches are saved locally on your device, separately for each connected account, for suggestions. Use “Clear recent searches” to remove them, or clear this site’s browser/app storage. Account deletion does not automatically remove device-local search history.

Information FollowTether stores

If you enable Creator tools, we verify your channel ownership using Google’s read-only API and store your channel profile, settings, public upload and live-broadcast metadata, and announcements you publish. Viewers’ opt-in choices, creator notifications, delivery records and reports are stored to provide requested alerts and handle abuse. Creators see an aggregate count of opted-in viewers, not viewers’ email addresses or identities. Creator inbox entries and automatic event metadata are retained for up to 90 days. Published announcements remain until the creator deletes their account.

FollowTether stores your account identifier and email address, encrypted Google OAuth access and refresh tokens, monitored channel details, subscription snapshots, missing-channel alerts, recent public video metadata, saved and hidden video choices, channels you stop monitoring, email-alert preferences, scan records, and plan status. If you purchase a paid plan, we also store the Stripe customer and subscription identifiers or encrypted Google Play purchase tokens, subscription state, expiry and an account identifier needed to recognise and manage that plan. Android sign-in uses a short-lived, encrypted handoff that is deleted after completion or expiry.

If you contact Support, we receive the name, email address, subject, message and any files or screenshots you choose to submit. Our email service delivers these details to Zoho Desk to create and manage your support ticket and send replies. Please avoid including passwords or other sensitive information in an enquiry.

How Google user data is used

For opted-in creator features, Google data is also used to verify ownership and detect new public uploads and active public livestreams. Announcements are written by creators and shared only with viewers who choose them. You may stop creator alerts or their emails at any time in Creator alerts. These preferences do not change your YouTube subscriptions.

Google user data is used only to sign you in, identify your connected YouTube account, read and compare your subscriptions during scheduled or requested scans, identify channels no longer detected, display recent public uploads, preserve your app preferences and history, and send subscription-change or optional new-upload emails. FollowTether does not use Google user data for advertising, credit decisions, surveillance, or training artificial-intelligence or machine-learning models.

Sharing and transfer of information

FollowTether does not sell Google user data or personal information. Information is disclosed only when needed to operate the service: to Google for authentication and YouTube API access; to Cloudflare for application hosting, database storage and service delivery; to our email-delivery service for sending requested service emails; to Zoho Desk for support enquiries and replies; and to Stripe for website payments or Google Play for Android payments and subscription management if you choose a paid plan. These providers receive only the information needed to perform their services. Information may also be disclosed when required by law, to protect users or the service, or as part of a business transfer subject to appropriate confidentiality and privacy protections.

Data protection

FollowTether uses HTTPS to protect information in transit. Google OAuth tokens are encrypted before storage, authentication sessions use secure HTTP-only cookies, and access to production systems and stored information is limited to authorised service operations. We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards, but no online service can guarantee absolute security.

Retention and deletion

Google account information, encrypted OAuth tokens, subscription-monitoring records and app preferences are retained while your FollowTether account remains connected so the service can operate. Alert history shown in the app is limited according to your plan, but underlying account records may remain until you request deletion. Operational and transaction records may be retained where reasonably necessary for security, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, legal compliance and financial recordkeeping.

You can delete your account and its stored Google user data from Settings. Deleting your account ends FollowTether access and cancels future subscription renewals. Refunds are not automatic. You can also stop future Google data access by removing FollowTether from your Google Account connections; revoking access alone does not delete stored FollowTether data. For help with deletion, email support@followtether.com from the address connected to your account. Some operational and transaction records may be retained where required for legal, security or financial obligations.

Launch list

If you join the launch list, we store your email address to confirm your signup and send the announced launch update. The launch list is separate from app accounts and video alerts; joining it does not connect your YouTube account. We retain the address until the launch update has been sent or you ask us to remove it. You can leave immediately using the unsubscribe link in any launch-list email, or request deletion by emailing support@followtether.com.

Payments

Website payments are processed by Stripe. Android purchases are processed by Google Play. FollowTether does not receive or store your full card number. Each payment provider processes billing and payment information under its own privacy terms.

Google API Services User Data Policy

FollowTether’s use and transfer to any other app of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the service or legal requirements change. The updated date above shows when the latest version took effect. Material changes will be communicated through the service or by email when appropriate.