Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how Inkshift ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you use our manuscript critique service ("Service"). 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.
• Your Content (Manuscripts): You upload your original fiction manuscripts ("Your Content") for processing. As detailed below, this is handled temporarily.
• 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, and manage accounts.
• 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, important updates about the Service or policies), and respond to your support requests or inquiries.
• For Security and Compliance: Monitor for fraudulent or prohibited activity, enforce our Terms and Conditions, and comply with legal obligations.

3. Manuscript Handling and AI Processing

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

• Temporary Processing: When you upload Your Content, it is temporarily stored on our servers solely to facilitate the AI critique generation.
• Third-Party AI Processing: To generate the AI Critique, Your Content is securely transmitted to a third-party AI processing provider selected by us. We ensure through contractual agreements that these providers do not use Your Content for training AI models and adhere to strict confidentiality and security standards.
• NO AI Training: Crucially, 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 Critique requested by you for that submission.
• Deletion After Processing: Once the AI Critique 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).
• Critique Storage: The generated AI Critique text (not the original manuscript) is stored in your Inkshift account for your reference and access, linked to your account information.

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 critique generation under strict confidentiality and non-training use terms.
• 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 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): Deleted automatically shortly after AI Critique generation is complete. Not stored long-term.
• AI Critiques: Retained in your account as long as your account is active, or until you request deletion.
• Account Information (Name, Email): Retained as long as your account is active.
• Usage/Analytics Data: May be retained for longer periods, typically in an aggregated or anonymized form.

Upon deletion of your account (which you can request via hello@inkshift.io), we will take steps to delete your Account Information and associated AI Critiques within a reasonable timeframe, subject to any legal obligations or legitimate business needs (like security logs or backup archives).

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) 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: Request deletion of your personal information (including your account and saved critiques), subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on consent, you may have the right to withdraw it (though this won't affect past processing).

To exercise these 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 state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction (e.g., if our servers or AI providers are located in the United States). As Inkshift is based in Canada, we comply 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 9th, 2025