Privacy Policy

At WriterPal, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our website and services.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using WriterPal, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

1. Overview

WriterPal is an online writing community platform that enables users to connect with fellow writers, share content, receive feedback, and improve their writing skills.

This Privacy Policy applies to all WriterPal services, including the WriterPal website, mobile applications, and any other websites, applications, or services that link to this policy (collectively, the "Service").

By using WriterPal, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Service:

Information You Provide to Us

  • Account Information: When you register for an account, we collect your name, email address, and login credentials.

  • Profile Information: Information you provide in your user profile, such as biography, writing interests, profile picture, and genre preferences.

  • Content: Any writing samples, critiques, comments, or other content you submit, post, or display on the Service.

  • Communications: Information you provide when you communicate with us or other users through the Service, including messages, emails, and feedback forms.

  • Payment Information: When you subscribe to our paid services, we collect payment method information. However, full payment details are processed by our payment processor partners, and we do not store complete credit card information on our servers.

Information We Collect Automatically

  • Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our Service, including your browsing actions, search queries, and viewing patterns.

  • Device Information: Information about the devices you use to access the Service, including IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.

  • Location Information: General location information inferred from your IP address.

  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

Information from Third Parties

  • Social Media Platforms: If you choose to link your WriterPal account to a social media account, we may receive information from that platform, such as your profile information.

  • Service Providers: We may receive information from our service providers who help us with analytics, payments, and other business operations.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

Providing the Service

To operate, maintain, and deliver the features and functionality of the Service, process transactions, and fulfill your requests.

Personalization

To personalize your experience by presenting tailored content, recommendations, and features based on your preferences and usage patterns.

Communication

To communicate with you about your account, respond to your inquiries, and send you administrative messages, updates, and security alerts.

Community Building

To connect you with other writers, facilitate feedback exchanges, and support community interactions.

Improvement

To analyze usage patterns, conduct research, and gather demographic information to improve our Service and develop new features.

Marketing

To communicate promotional offers, newsletters, and information about events or features that may interest you, subject to your communication preferences.

Security

To detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent transactions, unauthorized access, and other illegal activities to protect the security and integrity of our Service.

Legal Compliance

To comply with applicable legal obligations, such as responding to legal requests and enforcing our terms and policies.

Legal Bases for Processing (EU/EEA Users)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data on the following legal bases:

  • Performance of Contract: Processing necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations to you under our Terms of Service.

  • Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate interests, such as improving our Service, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.

  • Consent: Processing based on your consent, which you may withdraw at any time.

  • Legal Obligations: Processing necessary to comply with our legal obligations.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Other Users

Information you provide in your public profile and any content you post on the Service will be visible to other users as described in the privacy settings. Feedback, comments, and critiques you provide to others may be visible to the recipients and, depending on your privacy settings, to other users.

With Service Providers

We share information with third-party vendors, consultants, and other service providers who need access to your information to perform services on our behalf, such as:

  • Payment processors for subscription management and payment processing

  • Cloud hosting and storage providers

  • Analytics providers to help us understand user behavior

  • Email service providers for communications

  • Customer support services

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as directed by us and for the purpose of providing the specified services.

For Legal Reasons

We may share information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests from public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency). We may also share information to:

  • Enforce our terms and policies

  • Protect and defend our rights, property, or safety

  • Protect the safety, rights, or property of our users or others

  • Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud or security issues

Business Transfers

If WriterPal is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of its assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership or uses of your information, as well as any choices you may have regarding your information.

With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you explicitly consent to such sharing.

5. Data Storage and Security

Data Storage

We store your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Service. We may retain certain information even after you deactivate your account if necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, or protect our legal rights.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest

  • Regular security assessments and audits

  • Access controls and authentication mechanisms

  • Secure network architecture and monitoring

  • Employee training on data security and privacy practices

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that compromises your personal information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. These may include:

Access and Portability

You can access most of your personal information through your account settings. You may also request a copy of your personal information that we hold.

Correction

You can correct or update most of your personal information through your account settings. If there is information that you cannot update yourself, you may contact us to request corrections.

Deletion

You may request that we delete your personal information. Please note that we may need to retain certain information for legal reasons, to complete transactions, or for legitimate business purposes.

Restriction and Objection

You may have the right to restrict or object to our processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.

Communication Preferences

You can manage your email and notification preferences in your account settings. You may opt out of receiving promotional communications from us by following the unsubscribe instructions included in each email or by contacting us directly.

Cookie Preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie consent banner on our website or by adjusting your browser settings. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, disclose, or sell, and the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information.

European Privacy Rights

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to access, correct, delete, restrict processing, object to processing, and data portability.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise your rights, please contact us at privacy@writerpal.io. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.

7. International Data Transfers

WriterPal is based in the United States, and we process and store information on servers located in the United States and other countries. By using the Service, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in jurisdictions where the privacy laws may not be as comprehensive as those in your country.

When we transfer information from the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland to countries that have not been deemed to provide an adequate level of protection, we use appropriate safeguards such as:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission

  • Binding Corporate Rules for transfers within our corporate group

  • Consent mechanisms, when appropriate

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 18 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.

If you believe that we might have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us at privacy@writerpal.io.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect and use information about you and your device. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit a website. We use the following types of cookies:

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of our Service, such as cookies that enable you to log in to secure areas.

  • Analytical/Performance Cookies: Allow us to recognize and count the number of visitors and see how visitors move around our Service.

  • Functionality Cookies: Enable us to personalize content and remember your preferences.

  • Targeting Cookies: Record your visit to our Service, the pages you visit, and the links you follow to deliver relevant advertisements.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our Service.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our Cookie Policy.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and notify you as required by applicable law.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about our information practices. Your continued use of the Service after any changes to this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such changes.