Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

1. Privacy Policy

Voxtr Publishing Network ("Voxtr," "we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website voxtr.com (the "Site") or use our services.

1.1 Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, information we collect automatically, and information from third-party sources.

1.1.1 Information You Provide to Us

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, username, password, and profile information.
• Author Information: For author submissions, we collect full legal name, contact information, biographical information, tax identification numbers, and banking information for royalty payments.
• Manuscripts and Content: We collect all materials you submit, including manuscripts, proposals, sample chapters, datasets, code repositories, and supporting documentation.
• Communications: We collect information you provide when you participate in community discussions or respond to surveys.
• Transaction Information: We collect billing address, payment method details, and purchase history when you make purchases.

1.1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

• Device Information: We collect device type, operating system, browser type, IP address, and unique device identifiers.
• Usage Information: We collect pages viewed, links clicked, search queries, reading progress, download history, and interaction with content.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, pixel tags, and local storage to collect information about your browsing activities.
• Log Data: Our servers automatically record information including IP address, browser type, referring/exit pages, and timestamps.

1.1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Authentication Services: If you authenticate using Google, GitHub, or similar services, we receive your name, email, and profile picture.
• Analytics Providers: We receive aggregated demographic and interest data from analytics services.
• Marketing Partners: We may receive information about you from our marketing partners.

1.2 How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

1.2.1 Service Provision and Improvement

• Provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Process transactions and send transaction notifications
• Manage your account and provide customer support
• Personalize your experience and recommend content
• Monitor and analyze usage patterns and trends

1.2.2 Communications

• Send administrative information, updates, and security alerts
• Respond to your comments, questions, and requests
• Send newsletters and marketing communications (with your consent)
• Notify you about changes to our services or policies

1.2.3 Legal and Safety

• Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
• Protect rights, property, and safety of Voxtr and users
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or illegal activities
• Enforce our terms of service and other agreements

1.3 Data Retention

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

1.4 Third-Party Services and Data Transfers

We share your information with third parties in the following circumstances:

1.4.1 Service Providers

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Cloud hosting and data storage (US and EU regions)
• Stripe: Payment processing and fraud prevention
• SendGrid: Email delivery services
• Google Analytics: Website analytics and performance monitoring
• Cloudflare: Content delivery network and security services

1.4.2 International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
• Adequate data protection agreements with all processors

1.4.3 Other Disclosures

• Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or court order
• Business Transfers: In connection with merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• Consent: With your explicit consent for specific purposes
• Aggregated Data: De-identified data that cannot identify you

1.5 Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information, subject to local law:

1.5.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format.

1.5.2 Correction

You may update or correct your account information at any time through your account settings.

1.5.3 Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions including:

• Information necessary for ongoing contractual obligations
• Information required for legal compliance
• Information necessary to defend legal claims

1.5.4 Marketing Communications

You may opt out of marketing emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email. Note that you will continue to receive transactional communications.

1.5.5 Cookies

Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. Please note that refusing cookies may impact site functionality.

1.5.6 California Privacy Rights

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of sale of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

1.5.7 European Privacy Rights

If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• Right to object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to restriction of processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with supervisory authorities

1.6 Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

2. Terms of Service

2.1 Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Voxtr website and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, you must not access or use our services.

2.1.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use our services. By using our services, you represent and warrant that you meet this eligibility requirement.

2.1.2 Account Registration

You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information
• Maintain the security of your password
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

2.2 User Conduct and Guidelines

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

2.2.1 Content Violations

• Post content that infringes any patent, trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights
• Post content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable
• Post content containing software viruses or malicious code
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation

2.2.2 Service Violations

• Use automated systems to access the service without our express written permission
• Interfere with or disrupt the service or servers
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Collect or store personal data about other users without their consent
• Use the service for any commercial purposes without our authorization

2.2.3 Community Guidelines

• Respect other users and maintain professional discourse
• Provide constructive feedback and criticism
• Do not spam or post repetitive content
• Do not manipulate ratings or reviews

2.3 Intellectual Property Rights

2.3.1 Voxtr's Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content (excluding user-generated content), features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Voxtr and its licensors. The Service is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Our trademarks and trade dress may not be used without our prior written consent.

2.3.2 User Content

By posting content to our Service, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• Use, reproduce, and display your content in connection with the Service
• Distribute and promote your content (with attribution)
• Make technical modifications necessary for provision of the Service

You retain all rights to your content, subject to the license granted above.

2.3.3 Feedback

Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide about the Service becomes our property, and we may use such feedback without compensation or attribution.

2.4 Author Submissions and Publishing

2.4.1 Submission Terms

By submitting a manuscript or proposal, you represent and warrant that:

• You are the sole author or have all necessary rights to the submitted content
• The content does not infringe any third-party rights
• The content is original and not previously published (unless disclosed)
• All factual statements in the content are accurate to your knowledge
• You have the legal capacity to enter into a publishing agreement

2.4.2 Publishing Agreement

If your submission is accepted, you will enter into a separate Publishing Agreement that governs:

• Rights granted and retained
• Royalty structure and payment terms
• Publication timelines and obligations
• Update and revision procedures
• Termination conditions

2.4.3 Rejection and Retention

We reserve the right to reject any submission for any reason. Rejected submissions will be retained for one (1) year for reference purposes, after which they will be permanently deleted.

2.5 Payment Terms

2.5.1 Purchases

• All prices are in USD unless otherwise specified
• Prices are subject to change with notice
• Payment is due at the time of purchase
• We accept major credit cards and other specified payment methods

2.5.2 Refunds

Digital content purchases are generally non-refundable. However, we may provide refunds at our discretion for:

• Technical issues preventing access to content
• Duplicate purchases
• Significant content errors

2.5.3 Author Royalties

Author royalty payments are governed by individual Publishing Agreements and are typically:

• Calculated monthly
• Paid quarterly (minimum threshold applies)
• Subject to withholding for tax purposes where required
• Reported annually via appropriate tax forms

2.6 Limitation of Liability

2.6.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE.

2.6.2 Limitation of Damages

IN NO EVENT SHALL VOXTR, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

2.6.3 Maximum Liability

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).

2.6.4 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Voxtr and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Content you post or submit

2.7 Termination

2.7.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease.

2.7.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Breach of these Terms
• Violation of applicable laws
• Harmful or fraudulent activity
• Extended period of inactivity
• Request by law enforcement

2.7.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your access to the Service will be disabled
• We may delete your account data after a reasonable retention period
• Provisions that by their nature should survive will remain in effect
• Any outstanding payment obligations remain due

3. General Provisions

3.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

3.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules.

3.3 Changes to Terms and Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Privacy Policy at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting a notice on our website
• Sending an email to registered users
• Updating the "Last Updated" date

Your continued use of the Service after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

3.4 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

3.5 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other agreements you enter into with us, constitute the entire agreement between you and Voxtr regarding the Service.