Hiya Grade: C
Hiya collects a significant amount of personal data, including call logs, contacts, and audio recordings. While this is necessary for its core spam and fraud prevention features, it raises concerns about privacy.
Hiya shares user data with third parties, including business users, service providers, and data vendors. This sharing is not always transparent, and users may not be aware of the extent to which their data is being shared.
Hiya's data retention policy is unclear. It's not explicitly stated how long data is retained after a user deactivates their account or uninstalls the app.
Hiya's terms of service may be changed at any time without prior notice to users. This lack of transparency can be concerning, as users may not be aware of changes that could impact their privacy.
Here are some specific points:
- Data is stored: Hiya stores user data, including call logs, contacts, and audio recordings, even after account deactivation or app uninstallation.
- Identity used for ads: Hiya may use user data for advertising purposes, although it's not explicitly stated how this is done.
- Access to private messages: Hiya does not access or read private messages.
- Browser history tracking: Hiya does not track user browser history.
- True content deletion: It's unclear if deleted content is permanently removed or if it persists in some form.
- Third-party cookies: Hiya uses third-party cookies, particularly for advertising purposes.
- Terms change policy: Hiya can alter its terms of service without prior notice to users.
- Account deletion policy: Hiya does not explicitly state a policy for deleting user accounts.
- Sharing of personal information: Hiya shares personal information with third parties, including business users, service providers, and data vendors.
- Tracking methods: Hiya uses cookies and other tracking mechanisms, including mobile application identifiers.
- Consent assumption: Hiya does not explicitly state whether user consent is assumed based solely on usage.
- Non-tracking policy: Hiya does not explicitly state a non-tracking policy.
- IP address tracking: Hiya tracks IP addresses of visitors.
- Data erasure exceptions: Hiya may retain personal data after a user requests its deletion for legal obligations or other legitimate purposes.
- Waiver of moral rights: Hiya does not explicitly state a waiver of moral rights concerning user content.
- Class action waiver: Hiya does not explicitly state a waiver of the right to participate in class action lawsuits.
- Binding arbitration clause: Hiya does not explicitly state a binding arbitration clause.
- Reduced legal action period: Hiya does not explicitly state a reduced time period for legal action against the service.
- Data processing location: Hiya processes user data in various locations, including the USA, Canada, Brazil, Singapore, and Australia.
- User content licensing: Hiya does not explicitly state a policy regarding licensing user-generated content to third parties.
- Resistance to legal requests: Hiya does not explicitly state a commitment to resisting legal requests for user information.
- App permissions: Hiya's app requires access to call logs, contacts, and other device permissions.
- Content editing policy: Hiya does not explicitly state a policy regarding editing user-posted content.
- Location data collection: Hiya collects, uses, and shares location data.
- Non-operation related data sharing: Hiya shares personal data with third parties not involved in the service's operation.
Overall, Hiya's data practices are concerning, particularly regarding data sharing and transparency. Users should be aware of these issues and carefully consider their privacy before using the service.
