Privacy Policy

At Ownstory, privacy is a core part of our design — not an afterthought. Your pages are private by default. We do not sell your data. We do not show ads. This policy explains exactly what we collect, why, and how you can control it.

1. Who We Are

Ownstory is operated from London, United Kingdom. If you have any questions about how we handle your data, you can reach us at hello@ownstory.com.

2. What We Collect

Information you provide directly:

• Account details — name, email address, and password (stored securely, never in plain text)
• Profile information you choose to add
• Content you create — text, photos, videos, and voice notes added to story pages
• Messages or enquiries you send to us

Information collected automatically:

• Basic usage data — pages visited, actions taken, and time spent (used to improve the Service)
• Device and browser information — browser type, operating system, and general location (country/region)
• QR scan events — when a story QR code is scanned (no personal data from the scanner is collected)

3. How We Use Your Data

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Create and manage your account
• Store and deliver your story pages securely
• Send you account-related communications (password resets, important notices)
• Respond to your questions and support requests
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents

We do not use your content or personal data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose beyond operating the Service for you.

4. Who We Share Data With

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to any third party.

We share data only with trusted service providers who help us operate the platform — such as cloud hosting, email delivery, and payment processing. These providers are contractually required to handle your data securely and only for the purposes we specify.

We may disclose data if required to do so by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of our users.

5. Story Pages and Sharing

Your story pages are private by default. They are not indexed by search engines and are not discoverable by others without a direct link or QR code from you.

If you choose to share a story link or QR code with others, those recipients may view the story. You are in control of who receives access.

Organisations that issue story pages to you can see the content they issued, but cannot view your other private stories or personal account details unless you grant access.

6. Data Retention

We keep your data for as long as your account is active. If you close your account, we delete your personal data within 90 days, unless we are required to retain it for legal reasons.

Content within stories you have shared may remain accessible to people you shared it with until those links expire or are revoked by you.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Export — download your story content and account data at any time from your account settings
• Correct — update or correct inaccurate personal data
• Delete — request deletion of your account and associated data
• Object — object to specific uses of your data where applicable

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@ownstory.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Security

We use industry-standard encryption and access controls to protect your data. Passwords are never stored in plain text. We regularly review our security practices.

No system is perfectly secure. If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

9. Cookies

We use cookies to keep you signed in and to understand how the Service is used. For full details on what cookies we use and how to manage them, see our Cookie Policy.

10. Children

Ownstory is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has created an account, please contact us and we will remove it.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will notify you by email or by displaying a notice in the Service. The effective date at the top of this page will always reflect when it was last updated.

12. Contact

For any privacy-related questions or requests, please contact us at hello@ownstory.com.