Privacy Policy

Effective May 11, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Otteroke ("we," "us," or "our"), a personal karaoke application accessible at https://sing.otterpond.dev/, collects, uses, stores, and shares information when you use the service. By using Otteroke you agree to this Policy and to our Terms of Service.

1. Use of YouTube API Services

Otteroke uses YouTube API Services to search for videos, retrieve video metadata (titles, channel names, thumbnails, durations), and embed YouTube videos for playback within the application. By using Otteroke, you are agreeing to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service.

Information accessed through YouTube API Services is also subject to the Google Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect and process the following information:

  • Room data. When a host creates a karaoke room we generate and store a short random room code, a 4-digit room PIN (which the host can change), and an optional room name supplied by the host. Room codes and names may be visible to anyone the host shares them with; the PIN is treated as shared knowledge, not as a strong authentication credential.
  • Singer name.A display name you enter when joining a room's karaoke queue. This is stored in our database alongside the songs you queue (scoped to that room), and locally in your browser's localStorage so you do not have to re-enter it on the same device.
  • Queue selections. The YouTube video you select to sing, stored against the room you are signed in to. This includes the YouTube video ID, title, thumbnail URL, channel name, and duration retrieved from YouTube API Services.
  • Library data. A cached list of songs that have been added to the shared library, including title, YouTube video ID, thumbnail URL, duration, and play count. The library is shared across all rooms. This data is sourced from YouTube API Services.
  • Search queries. Search terms you submit are sent to YouTube API Services to retrieve results. We cache search results in memory on the server for up to 5 minutes to reduce API quota usage; cached results are not associated with you and are discarded automatically.
  • Server logs. Standard request logs (IP address, user agent, timestamps) may be collected by our hosting provider for security and abuse-prevention purposes.

We do not collect email addresses, passwords, government identifiers, payment information, location data, or any sensitive personal information.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information described above solely to:

  • Display the karaoke queue and identify whose turn it is to sing.
  • Search YouTube for matching videos and embed them for playback.
  • Cache song metadata (title, thumbnail, duration) so the library and queue load quickly.
  • Maintain basic operational logs to keep the service running and secure.

We do not use your information for advertising, profiling, training machine learning models, or any purpose unrelated to running the karaoke service.

4. How We Share Information

Otteroke does not sell, rent, or trade your information. We share information only as follows:

  • Other guests in the same room. Singer names and queued song titles are visible to anyone who has the code for the same room, because the entire point of the app is to display the shared queue. Singer names and queue entries are scoped to the room you joined and are not exposed to guests in other rooms.
  • YouTube / Google. Search queries and video ID requests are sent to YouTube API Services. Embedded YouTube players load video content directly from YouTube; YouTube may set its own cookies and collect data according to the Google Privacy Policy.
  • Hosting and infrastructure providers. Our hosting provider and database provider process requests on our behalf solely to deliver the service.
  • Legal compliance. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Otteroke, our users, or the public.

5. Cookies and Local Storage

Otteroke stores small pieces of information on your device using browser localStorage:

  • Your singer name, so you do not have to re-enter it.
  • A per-room singer ID, so the queue can highlight your own entry on the device you signed up from.
  • A short list of rooms you have recently visited (room codes and the time you last visited each), used to populate the “Jump back in” section of the home page. This list lives only on your device; you can remove an entry from it at any time using the “✕” control on the home page.

Otteroke also sets one functional cookie when you unlock a room's admin or play screen with the room PIN:

  • room-pin-<CODE> — an httpOnly, same-site cookie holding the room PIN you supplied. It is used only to confirm you have entered the current PIN for that specific room when accessing admin or play screens. When the host changes the PIN, this cookie stops working and the next gated request asks you to enter the new PIN.

Otteroke does not set advertising or tracking cookies. However, when an embedded YouTube player loads, YouTube may place cookies or use similar storage technologies on your device. The use of such cookies is governed by the Google Privacy Policy.

6. Data Retention

Cached YouTube API data (titles, thumbnails, durations, channel names) stored in our database is refreshed or deleted within 30 days, in accordance with the YouTube API Services Developer Policies. Queue entries are deleted when the host clears the queue or starts a new session. Room records, including room codes, PINs, and the room name, persist until the host or operator deletes them. Locally stored singer information, the recent-rooms list, and the room-PIN cookie can be cleared at any time by clearing your browser's site data.

You may also revoke Otteroke's access to your Google account data at any time via the Google security settings page, though note that Otteroke does not request access to any individual Google account.

7. Children

Otteroke is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child has provided information, please contact us and we will delete it.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with a new effective date.

9. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how Otteroke handles your data, please contact us at [email protected].