Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 11, 2025

Important Notice: Rantale is a non-profit project created for the love of literature and community. We do not monetize your data, sell your information, or display advertisements. This platform exists solely to provide a space for readers and writers to connect and share stories.

Introduction

Welcome to Rantale. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use our platform.

As a non-profit project, our primary goal is to foster a community of readers and writers. We only collect the minimum amount of information necessary to provide our services and enhance your experience.

Information We Collect

1. Account Information

Email address: Required for account creation, verification, and important notifications
Username/Display name: Used to identify you on the platform
Password: Securely encrypted and stored to protect your account
Profile information: Optional details like bio, avatar, and preferences

2. Content You Create

Novels, chapters, and stories you publish
Comments and ratings you post
Library entries and reading lists you create
Author applications and related information

3. Usage Information

Reading progress and history (to sync across devices and provide recommendations)
Pages visited and features used (to improve the platform)
Device information and browser type (for compatibility and technical support)
IP address and approximate location (for security and to prevent abuse)

4. Cookies and Local Storage

Authentication tokens (to keep you logged in securely)
Preferences and settings (theme, reading preferences, etc.)
Offline reading data (for PWA functionality)

How We Use Your Information

We use your information solely for the following purposes:

Provide core services: Account management, content hosting, and reading features
Enhance user experience: Personalized recommendations, reading progress sync, and saved preferences
Platform improvement: Understanding how users interact with features to make informed development decisions
Community moderation: Ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all users
Security: Preventing fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
Communication: Sending essential notifications, updates, and responding to your inquiries

We will never: Sell your data, share it with advertisers, use it for marketing purposes, or monetize your information in any way.

Data Security

We take your data security seriously and implement:

Encryption: All passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms. Data transmission uses HTTPS/SSL encryption.
Access controls: Strict limitations on who can access user data within our team (admin and moderator roles only).
Regular backups: To prevent data loss while maintaining security.
Security monitoring: Continuous monitoring for suspicious activities and potential breaches.

However, no system is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication when available.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share limited data only in these specific circumstances:

Service providers: Essential infrastructure providers (hosting, database services) who are bound by strict confidentiality agreements
Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and users' safety
Public content: Novels, comments, and profiles you choose to make public are visible to other users and search engines

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

Access: Request a copy of all data we have about you
Correction: Update or correct your personal information through your profile settings
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data (some content may be retained for legal or moderation purposes)
Export: Download your data in a portable format
Opt-out: Manage notification preferences and data collection settings

To exercise these rights, please contact us through the contact page or email us directly.

Children's Privacy

Our platform is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.

Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as:

Your account is active
Necessary to provide services you've requested (e.g., reading history for syncing)
Required by law or for legitimate business purposes

When you delete your account, we will remove or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except for data we're legally required to retain or content that has been made public and continues to be accessed by other users.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make significant changes, we will:

Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
Notify you via email or platform notification for material changes
Provide a reasonable period for you to review changes before they take effect

Your continued use of the platform after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:

Via Contact Page: Visit our contact page to send us a message
Email: support@rantale.randk.me

We typically respond to privacy-related inquiries within 5-7 business days.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Community

As a non-profit project, we're committed to maintaining your trust. Your support and participation make this platform possible. We promise to always prioritize your privacy and the community's best interests.