Introduction
Novara ("Novara," "we," "us," or "our") operates readnovara.ca, a platform where readers discover novels, track reading progress, purchase subscriptions and virtual coins, send gifts to authors, and where writers publish stories. We also provide a private personal library feature for uploaded books.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we share it, and the choices available to you. By creating an account or using Novara, you agree to the practices described here.
Information We Collect
We collect information in three general ways: information you provide directly, information generated through your use of the platform, and information from third-party services that help us operate Novara.
- Account and profile details such as name, email address, display name, bio, and profile preferences.
- Usage and activity data including reading history, bookmarks, chapter progress, listening progress, search activity, and interactions with stories and authors.
- Transaction data related to subscriptions, virtual coin purchases, chapter unlocks, and gifts sent to authors.
- Content you upload or publish, including manuscripts, cover images, annotations, and personal library files.
- Technical data such as IP address, browser type, device identifiers, and log data used for security and performance.
Account Information
When you register, we collect the information needed to create and secure your account, including your email address and password (stored in hashed form). You may also provide optional profile information such as a display name, biography, and visibility preferences.
We use account information to authenticate you, personalize your experience, communicate important service updates, and provide customer support. You can review and update certain account details in your profile and settings.
Reading History and Activity Data
Novara stores reading-related activity to improve your experience and maintain continuity across devices. This may include:
- Books and chapters you open, preview, or complete
- Bookmarks, saved titles, and custom shelves
- Reading progress, last-read position, and listening progress for audiobook features
- Preferences such as font size, theme, reading mode, and notification settings
- Interactions with recommendations, genres, and discovery features
We use this data to resume your reading sessions, power recommendations, measure engagement, and improve platform features. You may adjust certain privacy and personalization settings in your account.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, protect accounts, and understand how the platform is used.
- Essential cookies required for authentication, security, and core functionality.
- Preference cookies that remember settings such as theme, layout density, and reader options.
- Analytics cookies that help us measure traffic and product performance.
- Advertising cookies that may be used where ads are displayed on Novara.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may limit some features.
Advertising and Analytics
Novara may display advertising and use analytics services to understand audience engagement, improve content discovery, and support platform operations. These services may collect device and usage information through cookies, pixels, or similar technologies.
Where required by law, we will provide choices regarding personalized advertising. Third-party ad partners operate under their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them. We do not sell your personal information in the ordinary course of providing Novara.
Stripe and Payment Processing
Payments for subscriptions, virtual coins, and related purchases are processed by Stripe, Inc. When you make a purchase, Stripe collects payment card details and billing information directly. Novara does not store full payment card numbers on our servers.
We may receive limited transaction metadata from Stripe, such as payment status, subscription status, purchase amounts, and customer identifiers needed to fulfill your order and provide support. Stripe's handling of payment data is governed by its own privacy policy.
Virtual Coins and Subscription Data
If you purchase a subscription or virtual coins, we maintain records of your plan, renewal status, coin balance, unlock history, and gift activity. This information is used to provide access to premium features, process renewals, prevent fraud, and resolve billing inquiries.
Subscription plans may renew automatically until cancelled in accordance with our Terms of Service. You can manage billing-related questions through your account or by contacting support.
User Generated Content
Novara allows users to create and share content, including comments, messages, profile information, annotations, and other materials you submit through the platform. Content you choose to make public may be visible to other users.
We process user generated content to operate the service, enforce community standards, respond to reports, and improve safety. Please do not include sensitive personal information in public posts unless you intend to share it.
Author Content and Published Stories
Writers may publish novels, chapters, covers, and related metadata on Novara. Published content may be displayed publicly according to the author's settings and Novara's publishing tools.
We store author content to deliver it to readers, support monetization features, generate analytics for writers, and comply with legal obligations. Authors retain ownership of their original work subject to the license granted in our Terms of Service.
Personal Library and Uploaded Books
Novara allows users to upload books to a personal library for private reading. Books uploaded to your personal library are treated as private by default and are not publicly visible on the platform unless you explicitly choose to publish them through Novara's author tools.
We store uploaded files and associated metadata to provide reading functionality, sync progress, and maintain your library. You are responsible for ensuring you have the right to upload and store any material in your personal library.
Data Security
We implement administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect your information, including access controls, encrypted connections where appropriate, and monitoring for unauthorized activity. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
If we become aware of a security incident affecting your personal information, we will take steps consistent with applicable law to investigate, mitigate harm, and notify affected users or regulators where required.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide Novara, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and maintain business records. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of data and how it is used.
When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to delete, anonymize, or securely store it. You may request deletion of your account subject to limitations described in this policy and applicable law.
User Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or port certain personal information, and to object to some processing activities. You may also have the right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@readnovara.ca or use the Contact page. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling a request.
Children's Privacy
Novara is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.
Users between 13 and the age of majority in their jurisdiction should use Novara only with permission from a parent or legal guardian where required by law.
International Users
Novara is operated from Canada and may process information in Canada and other countries where our service providers are located. If you access Novara from outside Canada, your information may be transferred to jurisdictions with different data protection laws.
Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers and honor applicable local privacy rights.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make material changes, we will post the updated policy on this page and revise the effective date above.
Your continued use of Novara after an update becomes effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy, unless otherwise required by law.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us:
- Email: privacy@readnovara.ca
- Support: support@readnovara.ca
- Web: readnovara.ca/contact/