Privacy and Cookie Policy

At Anchor Publishing, Inc. ("we", "us", "our"), we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy and Cookie Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our algorithmic publishing platform and services (collectively, "Anchor Publishing").

Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

We collect minimal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Email addresses when you subscribe to publications or sign up for our mailing list
• Account information when you create a Publisher account (name, email, password)
• Content and materials that Publishers upload to influence algorithmic content generation (source URLs, documents, editorial parameters)
• Communications when you contact us at our support emails (tos@anchor.is, abuse@anchor.is, legal@anchor.is)

Information We Automatically Collect

We automatically collect limited technical information, including:

• Anonymized IP addresses for analytics and engagement reporting
• Usage data such as pages visited, time spent on publications, and reading patterns (anonymized and aggregated)
• Device and browser information necessary for proper website functionality
• Cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy below

Information We Do NOT Collect

We do not collect:

• Personal information from children under 16
• Detailed personal profiles or behavioral tracking across websites
• Financial or payment information (handled separately through enterprise contracts)
• Sensitive personal information such as health data, political affiliations, or personal beliefs

How We Use Your Information

Essential Service Operations

• Account management: Creating and maintaining Publisher accounts
• Content delivery: Serving publications to Readers through subdomain websites
• Subscription management: Managing email subscriptions to publications
• Technical functionality: Ensuring proper website operation and user interface state

Analytics and Reporting

• Engagement analytics: Providing Publishers with anonymized data about readership and engagement
• Service improvement: Understanding how our platform is used to improve functionality
• Performance monitoring: Ensuring optimal website performance and uptime

Communications

• Service notifications: Sending important updates about our services
• Publisher communications: Facilitating communication between our algorithmic systems and Publishers
• Support responses: Responding to your inquiries and support requests

Algorithmic Content Generation

• Content personalization: Using Publisher-provided materials to influence algorithmic content creation
• Editorial assistance: Supporting the pre-publication review process
• Content preservation: Maintaining archives for long-term access and retrieval

How We Share Your Information

We Do NOT Sell Your Data

Anchor Publishing does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes or any other reason.

Limited Sharing Scenarios

We may share your information only in these specific circumstances:

• With Publishers: Email addresses of subscribers are accessible to the respective Publishers of the publications they subscribe to
• Service providers: With trusted service providers who assist in operating our platform, under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal compliance: When required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights and safety of Anchor Publishing, our users, or others
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with advance notice to affected users

Algorithmic System Sharing

Information provided to our Algorithmic Writers, Researchers, Art Directors, and Editors may be processed within our AI systems. Publisher-specific private algorithmic entities maintain data separation, while shared algorithmic entities may utilize anonymized insights across publications.

Data Retention and Deletion

Retention Periods

• Account information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after deletion
• Published content: Preserved indefinitely as part of our content preservation commitment
• Analytics data: Anonymized data may be retained for service improvement purposes
• Subscriber information: Retained until subscription cancellation or account deletion

Your Deletion Rights

Publishers can:

• Delete their uploaded source materials and editorial parameters
• Remove specific publications, issues, or articles
• Suspend or delete their publications entirely
• Control and delete their subscription lists
• Request account deletion by contacting tos@anchor.is

Data Preservation

As stated in our Terms of Use, we maintain content preservation systems to ensure long-term access to publications. This may mean that some content remains in our backup systems even after deletion requests.

Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our websites. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and enabling certain functionality.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly:

• Authentication cookies: Keep you logged in to your account
• User interface state: Remember your preferences, settings, and interface customizations
• Security cookies: Protect against unauthorized access and maintain session security

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how our platform is used:

• Engagement tracking: Monitor which articles are read and for how long
• Performance metrics: Track website loading times and technical performance
• Readership analytics: Generate anonymized reports for Publishers about their audience

Marketing Tracking Cookies

We use marketing cookies for our own promotional purposes:

• Campaign tracking: Understand how users discover our platform
• Conversion tracking: Measure the effectiveness of our marketing efforts
• User journey analytics: Understand how potential Publishers interact with our website

What We Do NOT Do with Cookies

• No third-party advertising: We do not participate in advertising marketplaces or ad networks
• No cross-site tracking: We do not track your activity across other websites
• No data sales: We do not sell cookie data or any other user data to third parties
• No invasive profiling: We do not create detailed personal profiles for marketing purposes

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies through:

• Browser settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies
• Opt-out preferences: Contact us to opt out of non-essential cookies
• Account settings: Publishers can adjust tracking preferences in their account dashboard

Note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality and your ability to access certain features.

Cookie Retention

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Stored for varying periods, typically 30 days to 2 years
• Analytics cookies: Data aggregated and anonymized, with personal identifiers removed after 26 months

Data Security

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

• Encryption: Data transmitted to and from our servers is encrypted using industry-standard protocols
• Access controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular security reviews: Ongoing assessment of our security practices and systems
• Secure infrastructure: Use of reputable hosting and security service providers

International Data Transfers

Anchor Publishing operates primarily within the United States. If you access our services from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

Children's Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 years of age. If you are under 16, please do not provide any personal information to us. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 16, we will delete that information as quickly as possible.

If you believe that a child under 16 may have provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at tos@anchor.is.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request information about what personal data we have about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to our content preservation policies)
• Portability: Request a copy of your personal information in a portable format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from publications or marketing communications

To exercise these rights, contact us at tos@anchor.is.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• We do not sell personal information to third parties
• You can request disclosure of information we collect, use, and share
• You can request deletion of personal information (with certain exceptions)
• You will not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy and Cookie Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will:

• Post the updated policy on our website
• Update the "Effective date" at the top of this policy
• Notify you via email if the changes are material
• For Publishers, provide notice through your account dashboard

Your continued use of Anchor Publishing after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy and Cookie Policy, please contact us:

Email: tos@anchor.is

For abuse reports: abuse@anchor.is

For legal matters: legal@anchor.is