Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 8, 2025

1. Introduction

At StoryVerse, your privacy is our top priority. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.

2. Information We DO NOT Collect

StoryVerse is built on the principle of privacy by design. We do NOT collect:

• Email addresses
• Phone numbers
• Real names or physical addresses
• Payment information
• IP addresses (not logged or stored)
• Location data
• Device fingerprints
• Cookies for tracking or advertising
• Any personally identifiable information (PII)

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Anonymous Username

When you first visit StoryVerse, we generate a random, anonymous username (e.g., "BraveWriter123"). This username is:

• Stored locally in your browser's localStorage
• Never transmitted to our servers
• Not linked to any personal information
• Can be reset at any time through your profile menu

3.2 Content You Post

We store content you voluntarily share on the platform:

• Post titles and content
• Comments on posts
• Tags associated with your posts
• Timestamps of when content was created

3.3 Interaction Data

To enable platform features, we store:

• Votes (upvotes/downvotes) on posts
• Which posts you've interacted with
• Comment interactions

Note: This data is associated only with your anonymous username, not any personal identity.

3.4 Preference Settings

Settings like dark mode preference are stored locally in your browser and never sent to our servers.

4. How We Use Your Information

The minimal data we collect is used solely to:

• Display your posts and comments on the platform
• Track voting and engagement on content
• Enable filtering and sorting features
• Maintain platform functionality
• Prevent spam and abuse

We do NOT:

• Sell your data to third parties
• Use your data for advertising
• Track your behavior across other websites
• Create user profiles for marketing
• Share your data with advertisers

5. Data Storage & Security

5.1 Firebase (Google Cloud)

Posts and comments are stored in Firebase Realtime Database, a service provided by Google. Firebase is:

• GDPR and CCPA compliant
• Secured with industry-standard encryption
• Subject to Google's privacy and security policies

5.2 Local Storage

Your anonymous username and preferences are stored in your browser's localStorage. This data:

• Never leaves your device
• Can be cleared by clearing browser data
• Is not accessible to other websites

5.3 Security Measures

We implement security measures including:

• Content sanitization to prevent XSS attacks
• Automated spam detection
• Link blocking to prevent phishing
• Rate limiting to prevent abuse

6. Third-Party Services

6.1 Firebase (Google)

We use Firebase for data storage. Review Google's privacy policy at: firebase.google.com/support/privacy

6.2 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. Google Analytics collects:

• Pages visited and time spent
• Browser and device information
• Geographic location (city/country level)
• Referral sources

This data is anonymized and used only for improving the site experience. You can opt-out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

6.3 Social Media Sharing

When you use share buttons (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn, WhatsApp), you are directed to those platforms. Each platform has its own privacy policy.

6.4 No Third-Party Advertising

We do NOT use advertising networks or sell your data to advertisers.

7. Your Rights & Control

7.1 Access Your Data

All your posts and comments are visible through your profile menu by clicking "View My Posts".

7.2 Delete Your Data

You can delete your posts and comments at any time using the menu on each post/comment.

7.3 Reset Your Identity

Through your profile menu, you can reset your anonymous identity to get a new username. Your old posts remain but under your previous username.

7.4 Clear Local Data

Clear your browser's localStorage or cache to remove all local data including your username and preferences.

8. Data Retention

Posts and comments remain on the platform until you delete them. Deleted content is removed from public view immediately but may remain in database backups for up to 30 days for recovery purposes.

9. Children's Privacy

StoryVerse is intended for users of all ages. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children under 13, as we do not collect personal information at all.

10. International Users

StoryVerse is hosted on servers in the United States. By using the service, you consent to the transfer and processing of data in the U.S., subject to U.S. privacy laws.

11. GDPR Compliance (EU Users)

If you are in the European Union, you have additional rights under GDPR:

• Right to Access: View all your posts and comments
• Right to Erasure: Delete your content at any time
• Right to Portability: Contact us for a copy of your data
• Right to Object: Stop using the service at any time

12. CCPA Compliance (California Users)

California residents have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect (none beyond anonymous username)
• Delete personal information (you can delete all your posts)
• Opt-out of data sales (we don't sell any data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising rights

13. Cookies Policy

We do NOT use cookies. All data is stored in browser localStorage, which:

• Does not expire (unless you clear it)
• Is not sent to servers automatically
• Is not accessible across domains
• Can be cleared at any time

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

15. Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will notify users through a site-wide notice and provide details about what data was affected.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us at:

Privacy Inquiries: privacy@storyverse.blog

Data Requests: data@storyverse.blog

General Support: support@storyverse.blog

17. Transparency Commitment

StoryVerse is committed to transparency. Our privacy practices are:

• Easy to understand
• Fully disclosed in this policy
• Designed to minimize data collection
• Aligned with user expectations of privacy

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