Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information BookLane collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using BookLane, you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information we collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• Account information. Your username, email address, password (stored hashed), date of birth, and country, provided when you sign up.
• Profile information. Display name, bio, avatar, cover photo, and other details you choose to add.
• Content. Stories, chapters, comments, bookmarks, and reading history you create or generate while using the site.
• Usage data. Pages visited, features used, approximate device information (browser, operating system, language), and IP address, collected automatically to keep the service running and to improve it.
• Cookies and similar technologies. Used for authentication, remembering your preferences (such as theme), and measuring traffic. See section 5 below.
• Payment method details. If you choose to enable tipping, you may provide payment method information (such as a GCash, BPI, or Maya account name and number). This information is stored and displayed to logged-in readers on your stories so they can send tips directly to you. Providing this information is entirely optional.
• Tip transaction records. When a reader logs a tip, we store the amount, payment method label, transaction reference, optional message, and status (pending, confirmed, or rejected). These records are visible to the author and the reader involved in the transaction.

2. How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and secure the BookLane service.
• Authenticate you and protect your account from unauthorised access.
• Display your stories, profile, and activity to other users as you choose.
• Send service-related emails such as password resets, security alerts, and important policy updates.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent abuse, fraud, and violations of our Terms.
• Understand how the site is used so we can improve features and performance.
• Comply with legal obligations.

3. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as follows:

• With other users. Your username, profile details, published stories, and public activity are visible to other visitors of the site. If you enable tipping, your payment method details are shown to logged-in readers on your story pages. If you enable the "show earnings" setting, your total confirmed tip amount is displayed publicly on your profile.
• With service providers. We use trusted third parties to run the service, for example hosting (Vercel), database and authentication (Supabase), and transactional email (Resend). These providers process information on our behalf under contracts that require appropriate confidentiality and security.
• For legal reasons. If required by law, court order, or a valid legal request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of BookLane, our users, or the public.
• In a business transfer. If BookLane is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify users before any such transfer takes effect.

4. Third-party advertising

BookLane may display advertisements served by third parties such as Google AdSense. These advertising partners may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your visits to BookLane and other websites in order to show advertisements that may be relevant to you.

Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to BookLane visitors based on visits to BookLane and other sites on the internet. You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings, and you can opt out of third-party vendor use of cookies for personalised advertising at aboutads.info.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and local storage for the following purposes:

• Essential. To keep you signed in and to remember session-related preferences. The site does not function without these.
• Preferences. To remember your chosen theme, background design, and similar UI options.
• Analytics and advertising. Third parties may set cookies for measurement and advertising purposes as described in section 4.

Most browsers let you block or delete cookies. Note that blocking essential cookies will prevent you from signing in or using core features of BookLane.

6. Data retention

We keep your account information and content for as long as your account is active. When you delete a story, chapter, or comment, we remove it from the public-facing site promptly and from our backups within a reasonable period. Deleting your account removes your profile and content, except where we are legally required to retain certain records.

7. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Economic Area, the UK GDPR, or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These can include the right to access, correct, delete, or export your personal information, and the right to object to or restrict certain processing.

You can manage most of this from your settings page. For requests we cannot handle through the product, email privacy@booklane.art.

8. Children's privacy

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

9. International users

BookLane is operated from facilities located in regions chosen by our hosting providers. If you use the service from outside those regions, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in jurisdictions with different data protection laws than your own.

10. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, and access controls on our systems. No service can be completely secure; if you believe your account has been compromised, change your password and contact us immediately.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, for material changes, post a notice on the site or send an email.

12. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy? Email privacy@booklane.art or see our About page for general contact details.