Last updated: August 12, 2026.
Online Story Hub is built for reading and writing, not for collecting unnecessary personal information. This policy explains what we may receive when you visit onlinestoryhub.com, contact us, submit a story, request an editorial service, or use another feature.
Information you provide
We may collect your name, email address, message, story title, manuscript, author biography, genre, content notices, rights declarations, and other information you choose to send. If paid services are introduced, billing records and transaction references may be processed, although complete card details should be handled by the payment provider rather than stored by us.
Information collected automatically
Web servers and security systems normally receive technical information such as IP address, browser type, device type, requested pages, timestamps, referring page, approximate location derived from IP, and error or security events. Cookies or similar storage may be used for essential functions, preferences, analytics, consent records, or account sessions.
Why we use information
- to provide pages, forms, submissions, and requested services;
- to communicate about an enquiry, manuscript, correction, or project;
- to operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website;
- to maintain editorial, rights, financial, and legal records;
- to prevent spam, fraud, harassment, infringement, and technical abuse;
- to comply with law and respond to valid legal requests;
- to send newsletters or promotional messages only where a lawful basis exists, with an unsubscribe option.
Legal bases
Depending on your location and the activity, processing may be based on your consent, steps requested before entering a contract, performance of a contract, compliance with a legal obligation, or legitimate interests such as publishing submitted work, answering messages, securing the service, keeping records, and understanding basic website performance. Where consent is the basis, you may withdraw it, although withdrawal does not make earlier processing unlawful.
Submissions and unpublished work
Manuscripts are handled for editorial review, communication, rights checks, and possible publication. Submission does not make a manuscript public. If accepted, the published story, byline, biography, and agreed promotional material become publicly visible. Search engines, archives, readers, and third-party sharing services may copy or cache public pages beyond our direct control.
We do not sell unpublished manuscripts. We do not use them to train public generative-AI systems without explicit permission. Editors, technical providers, or professional advisers may access limited material where reasonably necessary and subject to appropriate duties.
Sharing with service providers
Information may be processed by companies that provide hosting, content delivery, security, email, form delivery, backups, analytics, payment, accounting, or professional advice. They should receive only what is reasonably needed for their role. We may also disclose information when required by law, to protect rights or safety, during a genuine business restructuring, or with your direction.
International processing
Internet services may process information in countries other than yours. Privacy laws differ. Where required, we will use appropriate contractual, technical, or legal measures for relevant international transfers.
Retention
We keep information only as long as reasonably needed for the purpose, including editorial decisions, publication records, contracts, payment and tax records, security, backups, dispute handling, and legal compliance. Rejected submissions may be deleted or retained for a limited record-keeping period. Publicly published work may remain archived under the publication agreement and editorial policy.
Security
We use practical technical and organizational measures intended to protect information, including HTTPS, access controls, updates, backups, security monitoring, and limited administrative access. No online system is risk-free. Do not send passwords, bank PINs, one-time passwords, identity documents, or unnecessary sensitive information through ordinary forms.
Your choices and rights
Depending on applicable law, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, portability, withdrawal of consent, or review of certain automated decisions. Rights can have exceptions, particularly for legal records, freedom of expression, publication archives, fraud prevention, and the rights of others.
To make a request, use the Contact page and write “Privacy request” in the subject. We may need information to verify identity without collecting more than necessary. You may also complain to the relevant data-protection authority.
Cookies and analytics
Essential cookies may be used without which the website or security features would not work properly. If non-essential analytics, advertising, or personalization technologies are introduced, we will provide information and consent choices where required. Browser controls can block or delete cookies, but some functions may stop working.
Children
The website includes stories that families may read, but general submission and contact features are not designed for children to use independently. A parent or guardian should supervise a child’s submission and avoid sending unnecessary personal details. If you believe a child provided personal information without appropriate permission, contact us.
External links
Our pages may link to websites we do not operate. Their privacy practices are their own. Review them before creating an account, purchasing, downloading, or providing personal information.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the website develops. The date at the top will show the latest revision. Material changes may also be highlighted on the website or communicated through an appropriate channel.
Contact
Privacy questions and requests can be sent through the Contact page. Include enough information to identify the relevant interaction, but do not send sensitive identification documents unless we specifically explain why they are needed and how to provide them securely.
This policy is a detailed operational starting point and should receive professional legal review as the site adds payments, advertising, newsletters, analytics, accounts, or services for children.