Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

The Lake Report app: Terms of Service

App privacy section last updated: Nov. 12, 2026.

Niagara NOW Ltd. publishes NiagaraNow.com and The Lake Report and operates The Lake Report app. This page explains how we handle personal information when you use our website, app and Reporter Studio. The app-specific information below supplements the website policy that follows.

The Lake Report app

Reading news and searching

The app connects to our services and NiagaraNow.com to load stories, photographs and videos. Search words you enter are sent to these services to return matching stories. These requests necessarily provide technical information such as your IP address and the requested content. Our hosting and delivery providers may process connection details, browser or device information, request times and error or security logs to operate, protect and troubleshoot the service.

Reading news and scanning the paper do not require a Reporter Studio account. Private test versions may require a separate ChatGPT sign-in to control access. Where that sign-in is used, OpenAI handles authentication, and account identifiers and email addresses may be used to verify access and administer newsroom permissions.

Camera access and scanning the paper

When you choose to scan the paper, the app asks for camera permission. It uses the live camera view on your device to recognize an enabled newspaper photograph, track its position and display the matching video over it. The scanner does not record or upload your live camera view to our servers. It downloads the published reference photographs, recognition files and videos needed for the experience.

The scanner does not use your microphone, contacts or precise location. Sound comes from the video being played. You can stop camera use by closing the scanner and can withdraw camera permission in your device or browser settings. You can still read the news without camera access.

Android and Apple AR services

On supported Android devices, the app may use Google Play Services for AR (ARCore), provided by Google and governed by the Google Privacy Policy. Google explains that ARCore collects Google account identifiers, or device identifiers when signed out, together with performance and diagnostic information and AR service usage information. Google uses this information for analytics, operation and improvement of its AR services. See how Google Play Services for AR handles your data.

Our image-tracking feature does not use ARCore Cloud Anchors or its Geospatial service. Apple versions may use ARKit for image tracking on the device. Apple platform services are subject to Apple’s privacy policy and your device privacy settings. The browser-based scanner processes recognition on your device.

Saved stories and device storage

Saved stories and preferences, including whether you have seen the scanner introduction, are stored on your device. We do not upload your saved-story list to a reader account. The app also temporarily stores news and downloaded media to help pages load smoothly. You can remove saved stories in the app or clear the app’s or browser’s stored data through your device settings. Clearing stored data may also remove preferences and sign you out.

Reporter Studio accounts and uploads

Reporter Studio is for authorized newsroom staff. We store account details such as a name, username, role and account status to manage access, together with a protected password hash rather than a readable password. Sign-in cookies and session records keep staff signed in. Security controls use account and connection information to limit repeated sign-in attempts and protect accounts.

When staff upload a photograph or video, we store the submitted file and associated information, which may include embedded file metadata, its title, the uploading account, publication status, dates and the recognition files needed to match a printed photograph. Authorized newsroom staff can manage this material. Published AR photographs and videos become available to readers who can access the app; drafts are restricted to authorized newsroom users.

AR media retention

Published AR experiences normally remain active for 14 days from publication. Republishing starts a new 14-day period. Expired experiences are removed from the active scanner catalogue, and our scheduled cleanup removes eligible expired photographs, videos and recognition files from the app’s storage. Cleanup runs in batches, so physical deletion may occur after the experience expires.

Active experiences and drafts are protected from this cleanup. Drafts and staff account records are not automatically deleted after 14 days. This cleanup applies to copies held for the AR app; it does not delete original newsroom files, news articles or copies published elsewhere. Material already downloaded to a device or held in a provider’s temporary caches may remain until that storage is cleared or expires.

Service providers, sharing and security

We use service providers to host the app, store and deliver content, authenticate access where required and protect the service. These include OpenAI’s Sites hosting service and Cloudflare infrastructure. Providers process information needed to perform these functions and may retain their own operational and security records under their applicable terms and privacy policies. Information may be processed or stored outside Canada, where it is subject to local laws.

We do not sell personal information collected through the app. We may disclose information to service providers for the purposes described here, with your consent, or where permitted or required by law. App connections use HTTPS encryption. Access controls, protected passwords and restricted staff sessions help safeguard newsroom data; no online service can guarantee absolute security.

The app links to NiagaraNow.com, the e-edition and other websites. When you follow a link, the destination’s cookies, advertising and privacy practices apply. The website’s advertising and cookie practices are described below. Google, Apple and OpenAI may also process information through their own services under their respective privacy policies, including OpenAI’s privacy policy and Cloudflare’s privacy policy.

Access, corrections and deletion requests

To ask about your app information, request a correction, or request deletion of a Reporter Studio account or associated personal information, email editor@niagaranow.com with the subject “The Lake Report privacy request.” Tell us which account or information the request concerns. Do not send your password. We may need to verify your identity before acting.

Signing out or disabling an account does not itself delete its stored records. We will assess deletion requests and explain any information that must be retained for legal, security or legitimate newsroom record-keeping purposes. Published journalism and original newsroom archives are separate from app account records. For saved stories and preferences held only on your device, use the removal and storage controls described above.

We may update this app privacy section as features and practices change. The date above identifies its latest revision. Privacy questions about The Lake Report app can be sent to Niagara NOW Ltd. at editor@niagaranow.com.

NiagaraNow.com website privacy

NiagaraNow.com respects the privacy of visitors to our website. To that end, we have developed this Website Privacy Policy to educate visitors to our website about the collection of information by NiagaraNow.com as a result of the services available on our website. Our Privacy Policy is based on the principles outlined in Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, and applicable provincial legislation. If you do not agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy, we ask that you notify us in writing about your concerns (send us an e-mail at privacyNOSPAM@niagaranow.com). Alternatively, you have the option of not continuing to visit our site.

Collection and Use of Personal Information

While visiting the NiagaraNow.com web site, you may be invited to provide us with personal information. You ordinarily are not required to register or provide personal information in order to access our website, although certain sections of our website may require registration. The type of information that we collect will depend on the services that you use on our website. Below is a summary of the personal information that we collect, including the purposes for which it is collected:
Customer Questions, Comments or Suggestions: Our website enables you to provide us your questions, comments or suggestions about our products or services. If you send us such a comment and ask us to respond, then we may collect your name, email, mailing address and telephone number so that we may address your comment and provide you with a timely response.
Surveys: We may occasionally post surveys on our website and the information derived from these surveys helps us to improve our service to our customers. Your participation in any such survey is strictly voluntary.
Ads: Our website contains paid advertisements for third party businesses. Your IP address may be collected as part of the statistics relating to the number of impressions and clicks for advertisements. No other personal information is collected or stored in relation to these ads, and no personal information is shared with our advertisers. We monitor and approve all ads on our web site to ensure they are safe, however clicking an ad may take you to a third party website which contains content we are not responsible for.
Use of Your Personal Information: We only use your personal information for the purposes stated above, and we do not sell or disclose your personal information without your consent.
Disclosure of Personal Information: Canadian law dictates that we may disclose personal information without consent for law enforcement and national security purposes, for debt collection, to a lawyer representing our organization, and in an emergency situation in which an individual’s life, health or security is threatened.

Use of Cookies

The NiagaraNow.com web site uses cookies to track general user trends and patterns. A cookie is a small piece of information that a web site stores on your computer. It is retrieved automatically whenever you return and some of its contents are stored in log files that are then used to generate periodic statistical reports. These reports help us to evaluate and improve our web sites by tracking global indicators such as the total number of visitors, total pages viewed, most popular documents retrieved, etc.
Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. You can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when one is being sent. However, some parts of the NiagaraNow.com web site, and affiliated web sites, may not work properly if you choose not to accept cookies. For additional information on cookies, see the Help instructions on your browser.

Confidentiality

Throughout the site, visitors are given an opportunity to provide us with feedback. When you provide us with feedback, we will not share your name with others without your consent. We will only use the information provided by you in order to respond to your feedback.
Visitors should be aware that information that is voluntarily given in feedback discussions, email exchanges or the like may be used by other parties to generate unsolicited email or other contacts. NiagaraNow.com encourages users to show caution, and recommends all parents to instruct their children in the safe and responsible use of the Internet.
We will amend our records and, where appropriate, advise third parties regarding any changes to ensure the accuracy and completeness of your personal information.

Subject to Change

This Privacy Policy is subject to change at any time.

Contact Information

If you wish to request access to information, or have any question about the NiagaraNow.com Privacy Policy, or wish to receive a full copy of NiagaraNow.com’s Customer Privacy Policy and Procedures, please contact our Chief Privacy Officer for NiagaraNow.com at privacyNOSPAM@niagaranow.com.

Terms of Use

The Lake Report app: Terms of Service

Last updated: Nov. 12, 2026.

These terms govern your use of The Lake Report app, including its mobile and browser versions, the Scan paper feature and Reporter Studio. The app is operated by Niagara NOW Ltd., publisher of The Lake Report and NiagaraNow.com. In these terms, “we,” “us” and “our” mean Niagara NOW Ltd.

By using the app, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please stop using it. The website terms below apply to NiagaraNow.com. These app terms take precedence for use of The Lake Report app if the two sets of terms conflict.

Using the app

The app lets readers access journalism and view videos connected to enabled printed photographs. Reading news and scanning do not require a Reporter Studio account. Private test versions may have additional access restrictions.

The current app is free to use. Your internet or mobile provider may charge for data, including video downloads. Any future paid feature will have its price and applicable terms presented before you choose to purchase it; these terms do not authorize automatic charges.

News, photographs and other content

You may read and view content for personal use and share story links using the app’s sharing features. Authorized newsroom staff may also use Reporter Studio for their work. Copyright and other intellectual property rights in articles, photographs, videos, logos and software remain with their respective owners.

Except where the law allows it or the rights holder authorizes it, you must not reproduce, republish, sell or commercially redistribute this material. Nothing in these terms limits lawful quotation, fair dealing or other rights provided by copyright law. Articles and opinion columns provide general information and are not a substitute for professional advice tailored to your circumstances. Corrections and content concerns can be sent to editor@niagaranow.com.

Camera access and AR scanning

Scan paper requires camera permission, a compatible device and access to the relevant AR content. Only photographs enabled by our newsroom will trigger a video. Recognition and tracking can vary with lighting, print condition, device performance and connectivity. We do not promise that every photograph, device or situation will work.

Use the scanner while stationary in a safe place, remain aware of your surroundings and never use it while driving or operating equipment. Videos may play with sound. You can close the scanner or withdraw camera permission in your device settings.

Reporter Studio accounts

Reporter Studio is restricted to authorized newsroom users. Accounts are created and managed by an administrator; readers and staff cannot register their own accounts. Use only the account assigned to you, keep your password confidential and promptly report suspected unauthorized access to editor@niagaranow.com.

Administrators may manage staff permissions and disable access when authorization ends or when needed to protect the service. Disabling an account or signing out does not itself delete its stored records. Requests concerning account information or deletion are handled as described in the privacy policy above.

Uploads and publication

Upload only material you are authorized to use and publish. You are responsible for obtaining necessary rights and permissions and following applicable law and newsroom editorial requirements, including those relating to privacy, copyright and accuracy.

Uploading material does not itself transfer its ownership. Existing employment, contributor and licensing agreements continue to apply. By uploading, you authorize Niagara NOW Ltd. and providers acting on our behalf to store, process and adapt the material as needed to operate the app, create recognition files and deliver the AR experience. Publishing an experience authorizes us to make its photograph and video available to readers. This permission is limited to operating and delivering the service, subject to our retention policy and any separate agreement with the rights holder.

Drafts are available to authorized newsroom users. Staff with appropriate access can manage uploaded material. We may correct, unpublish or remove content for editorial, legal or security reasons.

AR expiry and storage

Published AR experiences normally remain active for 14 days from publication. Republishing starts a new 14-day period. Expired experiences leave the active scanner catalogue, and scheduled cleanup removes eligible expired photographs, videos and recognition files. Cleanup runs in batches, so physical deletion may occur after expiry.

Active experiences and drafts are protected from that cleanup. Drafts and staff account records are not automatically deleted after 14 days. The app is not a permanent newsroom archive: keep original files in your usual newsroom storage. Cleanup applies to app copies and does not delete original newsroom files or news articles elsewhere. Previously downloaded or cached copies may remain until cleared or expired.

Responsible use

Do not use the app unlawfully, upload malicious or infringing material, harass others, impersonate another user, bypass access controls or deliberately disrupt the service. Do not access newsroom accounts, unpublished content or systems without authorization. These restrictions do not limit activities that applicable law expressly permits.

Privacy and external services

The app privacy section above explains camera processing, account information, uploads, device storage, service providers and how to request access, correction or deletion of personal information. It forms part of the information we provide about the service.

Links to external websites and use of services provided by Google, Apple or other providers may be subject to those providers’ terms and privacy practices. Those providers are responsible for their own services. These terms do not change any rights you have under applicable app-store terms or consumer law.

Availability and changes

We aim to keep the app reliable and accurate, but availability, compatibility and content may change, and interruptions or errors can occur. Maintenance, security work and service changes may affect access. We may restrict access where reasonably necessary to address misuse, legal requirements or security risks.

We may update these terms as the service changes and will publish the revised terms with an updated date. Where required by law, we will give notice of material changes and obtain any necessary consent. You may stop using and uninstall the app at any time.

Your legal rights

Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or waives any consumer right, statutory guarantee, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. The laws of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada govern these terms, subject to any mandatory protections and rights to bring proceedings that apply where you live.

Contact

For app support, account requests, corrections or questions about these terms, contact Niagara NOW Ltd. at editor@niagaranow.com.

NiagaraNow.com website: Terms of Use

The owner of this web site, NiagaraNow.com, requires that all visitors to this site agree to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree, you should not use this site. By accessing the site, you indicate your acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Rules of Use

You agree that you will not engage in prohibited conduct while using this Site. By way of illustration and not limitation, prohibited conduct includes the following:
  1. attempt to access any area of the Site that you are not authorized to access or to access the Site by means other than through the interface that is provided by NiagaraNow.com;
  2. interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of the Site or any application or link;
  3. take any action that imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on the Site’s infrastructure;
  4. reverse engineer or otherwise attempt to discover any source code relating to the Site or any application;
  5. send any viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other information that may damage the Site (including any application) or other information, data, or the operation of NiagaraNow.com or a third party’s computer systems or property;
  6. use the Site (including any application) for any unlawful or harmful purpose or to defame or harass anyone, or use information in any fashion other than in full compliance with applicable law;
  7. use any robot, spider or other automatic device restricted by NiagaraNow.com; or
  8. use the Site or any application for any commercial use.

Restrictions on Use

The text, images, graphics, sound files, animation, video and/or their arrangement on this NiagaraNow.com web site are all subject to intellectual property right protection and such material from this Site and any other world wide web site owned, operated, licensed or controlled by NiagaraNow.com, or any of its related, affiliated or subsidiary companies/organizations (collectively “NiagaraNow.com”) may not be copied, distributed, republished, uploaded, posted or transmitted in any way without the prior written consent of NiagaraNow.com. Modification or use of the materials for any other purpose violates NiagaraNow.com intellectual property rights. Neither title nor intellectual property rights are transferred to you by access to this Site, but remain with NiagaraNow.com who owns full and complete title to the material in this Site.

Submissions

Any personal data (for example, your name, address, telephone number or e-mail address) you transmit to the Site by electronic mail or otherwise will be used by NiagaraNow.com in accordance with the Site’s Privacy Policy. All other remarks, suggestions, ideas, graphics, or other information communicated to NiagaraNow.com through or by reason of this site (collectively the “Submission”) will forever be the property of NiagaraNow.com. NiagaraNow.com will not be required to treat any Submission as confidential, will not be liable for any ideas for its business (including without limitation, product or advertising ideas) and will not incur any liability as a result of any similarities that may appear in future NiagaraNow.com operations. Without limitation, NiagaraNow.com will have the exclusive ownership of all present and future existing rights to the Submission of every kind and nature everywhere. NiagaraNow.com will be entitled to use the Submission for any commercial or other purposes whatsoever without compensation to you or other persons sending a Submission. By access to this site you acknowledge that you are responsible for whatever material you submit, and you, not NiagaraNow.com, have full responsibility for the message, including its legality, reliability, appropriateness, originality and copyright. NiagaraNow.com does not warrant or make any representation regarding the use of the materials contained in this site in terms of correctness, accuracy, reliability or otherwise. The material in this site may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors and NiagaraNow.com may make changes or improvements at any time.

No Warranties or Representations

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS SITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESSS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NiagaraNow.com NEITHER WARRANTS NOR REPRESENTS THAT YOUR USE OF ANY CONTENT MATERIAL WILL NOT INFRINGE THE RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTIES, NOR THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE MATERIAL WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THIS SITE OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES IT AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. NiagaraNow.com DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF OR THE RESULT OF THE USE OF THE MATERIAL IN THIS SITE IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. YOU (AND NOT NiagaraNow.com) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION ARISING FROM THE USE OF INFORMATION OR APPLICATIONS ON THIS SITE. ACCORDINGLY, BY USING THIS INFORMATION YOU AGREE THAT NiagaraNow.com (INCLUDING ITS AGENTS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES) ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND. ADDITIONALLY, WITH REFERENCE TO ANY DISCUSSIONS, CHATS, POSTINGS, TRANSMISSIONS, BULLETIN BOARDS, FORUMS, AND THE LIKE THAT MAY BE ON THE SITE, NiagaraNow.com ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY INFRINGING, THREATENING, FALSE, MISLEADING, ABUSIVE, HARASSING, LIBELOUS, DEFAMATORY, VULGAR, OBSCENE, SCANDALOUS, INFLAMMATORY, PORNOGRAPHIC, OR PROFANE MATERIAL OR ANY MATERIAL THAT COULD CONSTITUTE OR ENCOURAGE CONDUCT THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL OFFENSE, GIVE RISE TO CIVIL LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE VIOLATE ANY LAW, CONTAINED IN ANY SUCH LOCATIONS ON THE SITE. Please note that some jurisdictions may not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you.

Miscellaneous

These terms and conditions will be governed and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, notwithstanding any principles of conflict of laws. This is the entire agreement between the parties relating to the use of this site. NiagaraNow.com can revise these terms and conditions at any time by updating this posting. This site may be linked to other sites which are not maintained by NiagaraNow.com. NiagaraNow.com is not responsible for the content of those sites.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective trademark owners.

Parents

NiagaraNow.com strongly encourages all parents to supervise their children’s on-line activities and regularly monitor their children’s use of the Internet. Parents should consider using parental control tools and other services to assist them in supervising their children’s on-line use or on-line disclosure of their name, address or other personal information without parental consent.
NiagaraNow.com reserves the right to change this policy at any time. Please check this page periodically for changes.