Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password (stored securely).
• Newsletter Subscriptions: If you sign up for updates, we collect your email address.
• Contact Information: If you contact us via email or forms, we collect the information you provide in your message.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device and Browser Information: We collect device type, operating system, browser type, and IP address for security and functionality.
• Usage Data: We collect information about how you interact with the Site, including pages visited, time spent, and features used.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy. Essential cookies are required for Site functionality; analytics cookies are only used with your consent.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third-party authentication providers (such as social login services) if you choose to use them to access your account.

1.4 Feedback Survey Data

If you choose to complete a feedback survey (including surveys hosted by third-party tools we use), we and our service providers may collect and store your survey responses and related technical/usage metadata, which may include your IP address, date and time stamps, survey start and completion times, time spent on each page or the full survey, browser/device details, referral/source data, and completion status.

By participating in a feedback survey, you acknowledge and consent to this collection and processing. Please do not submit survey responses if you do not agree.

2. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without such consent, we will delete that information as quickly as possible.

For Parents and Guardians: If you believe your child has provided personal information to us without your consent, please contact us immediately at hello@pepperpups.com, and we will promptly delete the information.

Parents and guardians have the right to:

• Review personal information collected from their child
• Request deletion of their child's personal information
• Refuse to allow further collection or use of their child's information

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@pepperpups.com with your request and verification of your identity as the parent or guardian.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and Maintain the Site: Enable account access, save reading progress, and deliver content.
• Improve User Experience: Analyze usage patterns (with consent) to enhance stories, features, and performance.
• Communicate with You: Send account-related notifications, newsletters (if subscribed), and respond to inquiries.
• Ensure Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats.
• Comply with Legal Obligations: Meet legal requirements and enforce our Terms of Service.
• Process Feedback Surveys: Evaluate product feedback, troubleshoot survey issues, prevent duplicate/abusive submissions, and maintain reliable records of participation.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party providers for hosting (e.g., Vercel), authentication (e.g., Logto), email delivery, and analytics (only with your consent). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide to us.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Pepper Pups, Cash Squared, LLC, our users, or others.
• Business Transfers: If Pepper Pups or Cash Squared, LLC is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.
• Survey Platforms and Processors: If you submit a feedback survey, related response data and metadata may be processed by our survey platform providers to host, collect, and report on submissions on our behalf.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following types of third-party services:

• Hosting and Infrastructure: Vercel (website hosting)
• Authentication: Logto (secure user login)
• Analytics: Only loaded with your explicit consent via cookie preferences
• Email Services: For transactional emails and newsletters (if subscribed)

These third parties have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review them. We are not responsible for the practices of third-party services.

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to provide and improve the Site. For detailed information about the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our Cookie Policy.

Essential Cookies: Required for login, security, and core functionality. These cannot be disabled.

Analytics Cookies: Optional cookies that help us understand how visitors use the Site. These are only loaded after you provide consent via our cookie banner.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure password hashing
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after deletion to comply with legal obligations.
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained indefinitely for statistical purposes.
• Email Subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations).
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or withdraw cookie consent at any time.
• Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

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

10. International Users

The Site is operated in the United States. If you are accessing the Site from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using the Site, you consent to this transfer.

11. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. We respect your cookie preferences set through our cookie banner. However, we do not currently respond to DNT signals from browsers.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Survey Participation and Limitation of Liability

Participation in any feedback survey is voluntary. By participating, you acknowledge that survey systems and data transmission rely on third-party infrastructure and internet services that are not entirely free from risk.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Pepper Pups and Cash Squared, LLC disclaim liability for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from or related to survey participation, including data loss, unauthorized access, delay, interruption, or technical malfunction, except where liability cannot be limited under law.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy limits any non-waivable rights you may have under applicable law.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Pepper Pups (operated by Cash Squared, LLC)
Email: hello@pepperpups.com

For COPPA-related inquiries or parental requests, please use the same email address and include "COPPA Request" in the subject line.