1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account Information

• Username and display name
• Email address
• Password (encrypted)
• Profile information you choose to provide

1.2 Content and Activity

• Posts, comments, and other content you create
• Communities you join or create
• Votes, reactions, and engagement metrics
• ReadUp Coins earned and spent

1.3 Technical Information

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and version
• Usage patterns and platform interactions
• Cookies and similar technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

• Provide and improve our services
• Enable community features and interactions
• Calculate ReadUp Coins and rewards
• Moderate content and enforce policies
• Send important service notifications
• Analyze platform usage for improvements
• Prevent fraud and abuse

3. Information Sharing

3.1 Public Information

• Your username, display name, and profile are public
• Posts and comments in public communities are visible to all users
• ReadUp Coins totals may be displayed publicly

3.2 We Do Not Sell Personal Data

ReadUp.Social does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

3.3 Limited Sharing

We may share information only when:

• Required by law or legal process
• Necessary to protect our rights or user safety
• With service providers who help operate the platform
• In connection with a business transfer (with user notification)

4. Data Security

• We use industry-standard encryption for sensitive data
• Passwords are hashed and never stored in plain text
• Regular security audits and updates
• Limited employee access to personal information
• Secure data transmission (HTTPS)

5. Your Rights and Choices

5.1 Account Control

• Update your profile and account information
• Delete your posts and comments
• Leave communities you've joined
• Delete your account entirely

5.2 Privacy Settings

• Control who can send you direct messages
• Manage notification preferences
• Choose what information is displayed on your profile

5.3 Data Requests

You can request:

• A copy of your personal data
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion of your account and associated data

6. Cookies and Tracking

• We use cookies to maintain your login session
• Analytics cookies help us understand platform usage
• You can disable cookies in your browser settings
• Some features may not work properly without cookies

7. Children's Privacy

ReadUp.Social is not intended for children under 13. 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 immediately.

8. International Users

ReadUp.Social is operated from the United States. By using our service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States, which may have different data protection laws than your country.

9. Data Retention

• Account information is retained while your account is active
• Public posts may remain visible after account deletion
• Some technical logs are retained for security purposes
• Deleted data is permanently removed from our systems

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be announced on the platform. Your continued use constitutes acceptance of any changes.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please visit our Help page or contact us through the platform.