Privacy Policy

Smutes (“we”, “us”, “our”) values your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services. We are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable data protection laws.

Eligibility

Smutes is not directed at users under 18 years of age. By using our services, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from users under 18.

1. What Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly and information collected automatically:

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our Service
• Create and manage your account
• Process payments and manage subscriptions
• Verify your age and eligibility
• Send you technical notices and support messages
• Respond to your inquiries and feedback
• Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
• Prevent fraud and enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our website. Google Analytics collects information such as:

• Pages you visit
• How long you spend on pages
• Links you click
• Your approximate geographic location
• Your device and browser information

This data is used only for analytical purposes to improve our service. We have enabled IP anonymization. Google Analytics operates independently and has its own privacy policy. You can opt out by visiting Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

4. Data Protection & Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure authentication systems
• Regular security assessments
• Limited employee access to personal data
• Secure data storage with our hosting provider (Vercel) and database provider (Supabase)

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

5. Cookies and Local Storage

We use cookies and local storage to enhance your experience on our website:

• Essential cookies: Required for authentication and basic functionality
• Age verification: Stored locally to remember your age confirmation
• Preferences: Reading progress, display settings
• Analytics cookies: Google Analytics (for usage analytics only)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features, including requiring repeated age verification.

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: You can request a copy of your personal data we hold.
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate information.
• Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data (the “right to be forgotten”), subject to certain legal retention requirements.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request we limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a structured, commonly used format.
• Right to Object: You can object to certain types of processing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

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

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services:

• Account data: Until you request deletion
• Payment records: 7 years (legal requirement for financial records)
• Analytics data: 26 months (anonymized)
• Support correspondence: 3 years

If you request deletion of your account, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required by law to retain it.

8. Children's Privacy

Smutes is not directed at users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 18. If we become aware that we have collected data from someone under 18, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe someone under 18 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at hello@smutes.com.

9. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may process your data:

• Supabase: Database and authentication services
• Vercel: Website hosting
• Google Analytics: Website analytics

Each of these services has their own privacy policy. We have data processing agreements in place where required by GDPR.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in countries outside of your residence, including Estonia and the United States (where our service providers operate). We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission. By using Smutes, you consent to the transfer of your information as described in this policy.

11. No Behavioral Advertising

Smutes does not track your behavior for the purpose of displaying targeted advertisements. We do not:

• Share your data with advertising networks
• Use your reading history for ad targeting
• Sell your personal information to third parties
• Display third-party advertisements on our platform

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of material changes by email (if you have an account) and by posting the updated policy on our website with a new “Last updated” date. Your continued use of Smutes constitutes acceptance of any changes.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or have a complaint, please contact us: