Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how Inkshift Inc. ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you use our manuscript critique and writing tool services ("Service"), including both free and paid features. By using Inkshift, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy and our Terms and Conditions.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

a) Information You Provide Directly:

• Account Information: When you sign in using Google, we receive your name and email address from Google to create and manage your account.
• Payment Information: If you purchase a paid critique, our payment processor (e.g., Stripe) collects your payment details. We do not store your full credit card number, but may receive transaction-related details such as payment status, last four digits, and billing email.
• Your Content (Manuscripts): You upload your original fiction manuscripts ("Your Content") for processing, as described in Section 3 below.
• Communications: If you contact us directly (e.g., via email), we may receive additional information you provide.

b) Information Collected Automatically:

• Usage Data: We collect information about how you interact with the Service, such as pages visited, features used, timestamps of activity, manuscript uploads (metadata like count, not content after processing), and general user flow patterns. This helps us understand usage and improve the Service.
• Analytics Data: We use third-party analytics services like Google Analytics to collect and analyze usage data. This data is often aggregated and may be pseudonymized or anonymized.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We may use cookies (small text files stored on your device) or similar technologies to operate the Service (e.g., session management) and for analytics purposes. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

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

• To Provide and Maintain the Service: Operate the platform, authenticate users, process manuscripts, generate and display AI Critiques, manage accounts, and process payments for paid services.
• To Improve the Service: Analyze usage trends and feedback to understand user needs and enhance features, usability, and performance. Usage analysis is primarily done with aggregated or anonymized data.
• To Communicate With You: Send essential service-related emails (e.g., account verification, critique completion notifications, payment confirmations, important updates about the Service or policies), and respond to your support requests or inquiries.
• Marketing Communications (with your consent): If you opt in during account setup, we may send you occasional emails about writing tips, product updates, and Inkshift news. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us at hello@inkshift.io. Opting out will not affect your ability to receive essential service-related emails.
• For Security and Compliance: Monitor for fraudulent or prohibited activity, enforce our Terms and Conditions, and comply with legal and accounting obligations (e.g., tax laws, payment records).

3. Manuscript Handling and AI Processing

We understand the sensitivity of your creative work. Here's how we handle your manuscripts:

• Temporary Processing: For standard critiques and free writing tools, when you upload Your Content, it is temporarily stored on our servers solely to facilitate AI output generation.
• Third-Party AI Processing: To generate the applicable AI output, Your Content is securely transmitted to a third-party AI processing provider selected by us. We require that these providers do not use Your Content for training AI models and that they adhere to strict confidentiality and security standards.
• NO AI Training: Neither Inkshift nor our contracted AI providers use Your Content (your manuscript) to train AI models. Your manuscript data is used exclusively to generate the specific AI output requested by you for that submission.
• Deletion After Processing: For our standard critique service and free writing tools, once the AI output is successfully generated and delivered to your account, the original manuscript file (Your Content) is automatically and permanently deleted from our active systems. We also rely on our AI provider's policies regarding the deletion of processing data on their end (typically ephemeral or short-term deletion).
• Manuscript Storage — Pending Features: Some features store your manuscript until you choose to initiate processing. Once you trigger the feature, the output is generated and your manuscript is automatically and permanently deleted. You may also delete the stored manuscript at any time before triggering, though this will prevent the feature from being used.
• Manuscript Storage — Active Features: Some features require your manuscript to remain stored for as long as the feature is active, as the manuscript itself is integral to how the feature works. Your manuscript will be retained until you choose to delete it or your account is closed.
• Critique and Tool Output Storage: AI Critiques, Tool Outputs, and other AI-generated content are stored in your Inkshift account for your reference and access. For features requiring manuscript storage, the stored manuscript and its associated output are retained together until the manuscript is removed from your account.

4. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• AI Processing Providers: As described above, Your Content is shared with our selected AI processing providers solely for AI output generation under strict confidentiality and non-training use terms.
• Payment Processors: For paid critiques, your payment information is shared directly with our third-party payment processor (such as Stripe) for payment processing and fraud prevention. We do not receive or store your full payment card details.
• Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as cloud hosting providers, authentication services (Google Sign-In), analytics providers (Google Analytics), and customer support tools. These providers are only given access to information necessary to perform their functions and are obligated to protect your data.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.
• Business Transfers: If Inkshift Inc. is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our Service of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information.
• Aggregated/Anonymized Data: We may share aggregated or anonymized data (which cannot reasonably identify you) for research, analysis, or service improvement purposes.

5. Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

• Manuscripts (Your Content): For standard critiques and free writing tools, deleted automatically and permanently shortly after AI output generation is complete. For features that store your manuscript until you initiate processing, the manuscript is deleted automatically once that processing is complete. For features that require ongoing manuscript storage, retained until you delete the manuscript or your account is closed.
• AI Critiques and Tool Outputs: Retained in your account as long as your account is active, or until you request deletion. Free tool outputs (e.g., generated query letters) follow the same retention policy.
• Account and Payment Information: Retained as long as your account is active and as required for legal, financial, or regulatory obligations (e.g., tax and payment records).
• Usage/Analytics Data: May be retained for longer periods, typically in an aggregated or anonymized form.

Account Deletion:

You may delete your account at any time directly from within the app. Your personal information will be deleted within 30 days of account deletion. We may retain anonymized records as required by law, such as payment transaction records for tax purposes and records of terms you agreed to for legal compliance.

6. Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect your personal information from loss, theft, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. This includes using encryption (e.g., HTTPS), secure payment processing, and access controls. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage method is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location (especially if you are in Canada or regions with similar laws like the EU/UK), you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. These generally include:

• Right to Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Right to Deletion: Delete your account and associated data directly within the app, or request deletion of specific personal information, subject to certain exceptions such as regulatory retention periods.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on consent, you may have the right to withdraw it (though this won't affect past processing).
• Right to Withdraw Marketing Consent: If you have opted in to marketing communications, you may withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by contacting us at hello@inkshift.io.

To delete your account, you may do so directly within the app. To exercise other rights, please contact us at hello@inkshift.io. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information, including personal data and Your Content during processing, may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ (e.g., if our servers or AI providers are located in the United States). Inkshift Inc. is based in Canada and complies with Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA). If we transfer your data internationally, we will take steps to ensure it receives an adequate level of protection. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer, storage, and processing.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 18 (or the age of legal majority in their jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18 without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers. If you believe we might have any information from or about a child under 18, please contact us.

10. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top. For material changes, we may also provide notice through the Service or via email. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Your continued use of the Service after any modification to this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such modification.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: hello@inkshift.io.

Last updated: April 20, 2026