Privacy Policy

How we protect and respect your data

Last updated: January 2024

Introduction

BanterBox, Inc. ("BanterBox," "we," "us," or "our") creates books you can talk to—interactive narrative experiences powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Protecting your privacy is central to our mission. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you interact with BanterBox websites, mobile apps, APIs, and any other products or services that link to this policy (collectively, the "Services").

By using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

Scope

This Policy applies to personal information we collect through the Services. It does not apply to third party sites or services that link to or from BanterBox; those parties have their own privacy practices.

Information We Collect

We gather information about you in three primary ways:

1

Information you provide directly

When you create an account, purchase a subscription, participate in surveys, contact support, or otherwise interact with us, you may give us details such as your name, email address, password, payment information, and any other data you choose to share. Because our stories are conversational, this also includes any messages, prompts, or dialogue you submit to characters.

2

Information we collect automatically

When you browse or use the Services, we automatically receive technical data from your browser or device. This may include your IP address, device model, operating system, browser type, referring pages, the dates and times you access the Services, usage logs, and click stream information. We collect this data through cookies, software development kits (SDKs), pixels, and similar technologies.

3

In narrative activity

As you explore our interactive books, we log the dialogue choices you make, the narrative branches you follow, and other in experience actions. This helps us generate consistent storylines and improve future content.

Important: User inputs into the narrative system are not private. They may be reviewed by BanterBox personnel and trusted partners for quality, safety, and improvement purposes. Please avoid submitting sensitive personal information you would not want disclosed.

How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

  1. Provide, personalize, and improve the Services, including generating and refining narrative content.
  2. Operate, maintain, debug, and secure our platform and infrastructure.
  3. Process transactions and manage subscriptions.
  4. Communicate with you (e.g., service updates, marketing with your consent, responses to inquiries).
  5. Conduct research and analytics to understand user engagement and develop new features.
  6. Enforce our Terms of Use and other policies, detect fraud, and protect BanterBox and its users.

Sharing & Disclosure

1. No Sale of Personal Data

BanterBox does not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties.

2. Narrative Content Sharing

We do share anonymized narrative content with carefully selected third party partners (e.g., AI model providers, academic researchers) solely to create narratives and improve narrative systems. These data sets do not include user names, email addresses, or other direct identifiers.

3. Service Providers

We share necessary information with vendors who perform services for us (customer support, hosting, payment processing). They are obligated to protect the data and use it only for our instructions.

4. Legal & Safety Requirements

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

5. Business Transfers

In connection with mergers, acquisitions, or financing, your information may be transferred, subject to standard confidentiality safeguards.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We and our partners use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to recognize you, improve performance, and deliver relevant content. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, but some features may not function without cookies.

Data Security

We implement industry standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards (encryption in transit, access controls, routine audits) to protect your information. No system is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Transfers

BanterBox is headquartered in the United States. If you access the Services from outside the U.S., you consent to processing and storage of your information in the U.S. and other countries that may have different data protection laws.

Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

  • Access, correct, or delete personal information we hold about you.
  • Object to or restrict certain processing.
  • Receive a portable copy of your data.
  • Opt out of marketing communications.

Submit requests by emailing info@banterbox.info. We may verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

Residents of California have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). European users have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Details are available in our Jurisdiction Specific Notices.

Data Retention

We retain information as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Narrative inputs may be stored indefinitely in anonymized form for research and system improvement purposes.

Children's Privacy

The Services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without verifiable parental consent. If we learn we have collected such data, we will delete it.

Changes to Privacy Policies

We may update this Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by posting an updated version with a new "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, additional notice (such as email or in app alert).

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

BanterBox, LLC

Attn: Privacy Team
Email: info@banterbox.info