Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect through crowdteasers.com, how we use it, and the choices you have.

This Privacy Policy should be read alongside our Terms & Conditions, which you agree to by using the platform.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Account information: your email address and any display name you choose, collected when you register for an account.
• Content you provide: suggestions you submit, votes you cast, and any other content you contribute through the platform.
• Communications: if you contact us directly (e.g. via hello@crowdteasers.com), we retain that correspondence to respond to you.
• Technical information: standard technical data such as IP address and browser/device information, collected automatically as part of running the platform securely (for example, to support rate limiting and abuse prevention).
• Push notification data: if you enable push notifications, your browser generates a push subscription (a technical address your device uses to receive notifications), which we store linked to your account so we can send you chapter alerts. This is separate from, and does not replace, email notifications.

We do not collect payment information directly, as the platform does not currently process payments.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• create and manage your account, and authenticate you via magic-link login or password, depending on the method you choose;
• operate core platform features, including suggestions, voting, and chapter credits;
• send you transactional emails (such as login links and, where you have opted in, new-chapter notifications);
• send you marketing or promotional communications, where you have separately opted in to receive them, via our email marketing platform;
• maintain the security, integrity, and proper functioning of the platform, including preventing abuse; and
• comply with our legal obligations.

4. Chapter Notifications & Marketing Emails

Chapter notification emails (for stories from Chapter 3 onward) are opt-in and managed per story. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link included in each notification email, or via your account's notification settings.

Separately, if you choose to receive broader marketing content (news, promotions, or updates about Crowdteasers), that is also opt-in, and you may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in those emails.

If you install the platform to your device's home screen, you may separately be offered push notifications, a direct alert sent to your device when a new chapter is published. This is opt-in, controlled independently of email notifications (you can have one, both, or neither), and can be turned on or off at any time via your account's notification settings.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information with third-party service providers only as reasonably necessary to operate the platform, including providers who help us with:

• sending transactional and marketing emails;
• hosting the platform and storing data (including generated audio and archived chapters);
• processing subscriber suggestions through an AI-assisted moderation check; and
• underlying infrastructure such as our database and background job scheduling.

These providers are only permitted to use your information as necessary to provide their services to us, and are not permitted to use it for their own independent purposes.

We may also disclose information where required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Crowdteasers, our users, or others.

6. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers may store or process information outside Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure your information continues to be handled in a manner consistent with this Policy and applicable privacy law.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account information for as long as your account remains active, and for a reasonable period afterward to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Published chapter content and credited contributions may be retained indefinitely as part of the platform's story archive, even if the associated account is later closed.

8. Your Rights & Choices

Subject to applicable law, you may:

• request access to the personal information we hold about you;
• request correction of inaccurate information;
• request deletion of your account and associated personal information;
• unsubscribe from notification or marketing emails at any time, as described above; and
• request removal or amendment of your credited display name on published chapters, as described in our Terms & Conditions.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@crowdteasers.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including secure authentication (including password hashing, where a password is used, and passwordless magic-link login as an alternative) and access controls on administrative areas of the platform. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Children's Privacy

The platform is not directed at young children. Where the use of social features (such as commenting, suggesting, and voting) is subject to a minimum age under applicable law, we expect users to meet that minimum age requirement.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be indicated by updating the “Last updated” date above. Continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

12. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy, or requests relating to your personal information, can be directed to hello@crowdteasers.com.