Privacy Policy

Last updated: 9 July 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Rayofla Kft. (“Budapest.fm”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you visit budapest.fm, subscribe to our updates, record a story through The Open Door, or host a podcast with us. We are the data controller for the personal data described below.

Who we are

Budapest.fm is a podcast network operated by Rayofla Kft. (Rayofla Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság), a company registered in Hungary, tax number 27976971-2-43, with its seat at 1093 Budapest, Közraktár utca 12/B, 3. em. 2. We are responsible for deciding how your personal data is held and used.

Information we collect

We collect only the data we need to run the service:

• Information you give us. Your name, email address, and any details you enter when you subscribe to our newsletter, submit a podcast listing, create an account, or host a show with us.
• Recordings and submissions. If you use The Open Door, we collect the audio recording of your voice, any first name and city you choose to give, and a record of the consent you provide. See the section below for details.
• Billing information. If you purchase a hosting plan, your payment is processed by Stripe. We receive your subscription and billing details (plan, status, invoices) but never your full card number, which is handled directly by Stripe.
• Content you publish. Show details, episodes, artwork, and RSS feeds you upload or migrate to Budapest.fm.
• Technical information. Like most websites, our servers automatically record your IP address, browser type, the pages you view, and the date and time of your visit, for security and to keep the service running.

The Open Door recordings

The Open Door lets you record and submit a short spoken story without creating an account. When you submit a recording, we collect:

• the audio recording of your voice;
• the first name and city you choose to give, which are both optional;
• your email address, if you provide one, so we can tell you when your episode is live;
• a hashed record of your IP address and your browser and device type, used to prevent abuse and spam;
• a record of your consent, including the date and time and the version of the terms you agreed to, so we can show that you agreed.

We use this information to review, produce, and (where suitable) publish your recording, to keep the service secure, and to keep proof of your consent. If you give us your email, we use it only in connection with your submission, for example to tell you when it is published, unless you separately opt in to our newsletter. Our legal basis is your consent, together with our legitimate interest in operating an editorial podcast platform.

Removing a recording. You can ask us to remove your recording at any time by emailing hello@budapest.fm. We will delete a recording that has not been published. For a recording that has already been published, we will remove it from our website and future distributions, but because podcasts are distributed through RSS feeds and apps, we may not be able to retract copies already downloaded or cached elsewhere.

How we use your data

We use personal data to:

• provide and administer your account, subscription, and hosted shows;
• review, produce, and publish recordings submitted through The Open Door;
• send transactional messages such as sign-in links, receipts, and important service notices;
• send newsletters and updates where you have asked to receive them;
• respond to your enquiries and provide customer support;
• keep the website secure and prevent abuse;
• meet our legal and accounting obligations.

We do not sell your personal data, and we do not use automated decision-making that produces legal effects about you.

Our legal bases

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) we rely on the following legal bases:

• Contract. To create and run your account and hosting subscription.
• Consent. To send marketing emails and newsletters, and to publish recordings you submit through The Open Door. You can withdraw consent at any time.
• Legitimate interests. To secure our website, prevent fraud, operate an editorial podcast platform, and understand aggregate, non-identifying usage.
• Legal obligation. To keep invoicing and accounting records as required by Hungarian law.

Email and marketing

We keep your email address confidential. We never sell, rent, or share our mailing lists. When you sign up for our newsletter or updates, we use a confirmed opt-in (“double opt-in”): you will receive an email asking you to confirm before we add you to any list. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time. Transactional messages (such as billing and account notices) are sent on the basis of our contract with you and are not marketing.

Cookies

A cookie is a small text file stored on your device. Budapest.fm uses only the strictly necessary cookies required to operate the website, remember your choices (such as language and your cookie preference), and keep it secure. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. You can manage your choice through our cookie banner, and control or delete cookies through your browser settings; blocking essential cookies may affect how the site works.

Public podcast content

Podcast episodes are meant for public distribution. If you appear as a host, guest, contributor, or Open Door voice, your name (or the name you give), voice, city, and the episode’s description and transcript may be published on Budapest.fm, in RSS feeds, on podcast platforms, in newsletters, and on social media, and may be copied, indexed, or redistributed by others.

AI-assisted tools

We may use AI-assisted tools to help with tasks such as transcription, translation, noise reduction, audio enhancement, moderation, tagging, and summarisation. These tools support our team; we do not use automated decision-making that produces legal effects about you.

How we share data

We share data only with the service providers who help us run Budapest.fm, and only as far as needed:

• Stripe. Payment processing and subscription billing.
• Emailit. Delivery of our transactional and newsletter emails.
• Rocket.net and Cloudflare. Website hosting, content delivery, and security.

These providers act as our processors and may only use your data on our instructions. We may also disclose data where we are legally required to do so, or to protect our legal rights. We do not otherwise transfer your data to third parties.

International transfers

Some of our service providers may process data outside Hungary, the European Union, or the European Economic Area. Where that happens, we rely on appropriate safeguards, such as an adequacy decision or the European Commission’s standard contractual clauses.

How long we keep data

We keep personal data only as long as necessary. Account and hosting data is kept while your account is active. Invoicing and accounting records are kept for as long as Hungarian law requires. Marketing contacts are kept until you unsubscribe. Open Door submissions that are not published are kept only as long as needed to review them and are then deleted; published recordings are kept for as long as the episode remains available. Server security logs are kept for a limited period and then deleted.

How we protect your data

We protect your data with appropriate technical and organisational measures, including encrypted (SSL) connections for the website and restricted access to personal data. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, so please do not send sensitive information such as card numbers by email.

Your rights

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

• access the personal data we hold about you;
• ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data;
• ask us to erase your data (“right to be forgotten”);
• restrict or object to how we process your data;
• receive your data in a portable format;
• withdraw consent at any time, without affecting processing already carried out.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@budapest.fm. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Hungarian data protection authority, the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH), at naih.hu.

Children

Budapest.fm is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their personal data without appropriate consent. The Open Door is intended for people who are at least 18, or who have permission from a parent or legal guardian. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so we can review and, where appropriate, delete it.

Links to other sites

Budapest.fm may link to other websites we do not own or control. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites, and a link does not imply our endorsement. Please review the privacy policy of any site you visit.

Testimonials

Any testimonials shown on Budapest.fm are real submissions from creators and listeners, reproduced with their permission and edited only for length or clarity. They reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee of any particular result.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above. We will not use your personal data in a way that is materially different from this policy without letting you know.

Contact us