Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to TAPE (operated by Tape Engine). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (iOS and Android) and web services at https://tapeengine.com.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Email address, name, password (encrypted), profile information
• Content: Book projects, cover designs, text content, uploaded images
• Payment Information: Processed securely through Stripe, PayPal, or LemonSqueezy (we do not store credit card details)
• Communication: Support tickets, feedback, and correspondence

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: App features used, pages visited, time spent, interaction patterns
• Log Data: IP address, browser type, access times, crash reports
• Location Data: General location (country/region) for service improvement

2.3 Permissions We Request

Note: The mobile app requests the following permissions to provide core functionality:

• Camera (Android & iOS): To capture photos for book covers, author profiles, and audiobook artwork. This permission is required for users who wish to use the camera feature to upload images.
• Photo Library: To select and save images from your device for your book projects
• Notifications: To send updates about your projects and account
• Storage: To save your book projects and designs locally on your device

3. How We Use Your Information

• Provide Services: Create and manage your books, covers, and audiobooks
• Process Payments: Handle subscriptions and marketplace transactions
• Improve Experience: Personalize recommendations and optimize features
• Communication: Send updates, newsletters, and support responses
• Security: Detect fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Analytics: Understand usage patterns and improve our services
• Legal Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements and enforce our terms

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Service Providers

We share data with trusted third parties who help us operate our services:

• Supabase: Database hosting and authentication
• Stripe, PayPal, LemonSqueezy: Payment processing
• OpenAI: AI content generation (book writing, cover creation)
• ElevenLabs: Audiobook narration generation
• Cloud Storage: Secure file storage and backup

4.2 Marketplace Designers

When you purchase custom designs, we share necessary project information with designers to fulfill your order.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and safety.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity.

4.5 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We never sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• End-to-end encryption for sensitive data
• Secure HTTPS connections (TLS 1.3)
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Encrypted password storage (bcrypt)
• Regular backups and disaster recovery

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Access and Portability

You can access and export your data at any time through your account settings.

6.2 Correction and Deletion

You can update or delete your account and data through the app or by contacting support.

6.3 Opt-Out Options

• Marketing Emails: Unsubscribe via link in any email
• Push Notifications: Disable in device settings
• Analytics: Contact us to opt out of non-essential tracking

6.4 GDPR Rights (EU Users)

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

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent

6.5 CCPA Rights (California Users)

California residents have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect
• Know if we sell or disclose personal information
• Access your personal information
• Delete your personal information
• Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data)

7. Children's Privacy

TAPE is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this privacy policy.

9. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations:

• Active Accounts: Retained while your account is active
• Deleted Accounts: Data deleted within 30 days (except legal requirements)
• Payment Records: Retained for 7 years for tax compliance
• Backups: Backup data may persist for up to 90 days

10. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in
• Remember your preferences
• Analyze usage patterns
• Provide personalized content

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but some features may not work properly if you disable them.

11. Third-Party Links

Our app may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. Please review their privacy policies separately.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via email or in-app notification. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

14. Compliance

This privacy policy complies with:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• Apple App Store Guidelines
• Google Play Store Requirements
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)