Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how First Draft Audio (Pty) Ltd collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information when you use the UYI Writing Tool. By using UYI, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1. Overview
UYI is a creative writing platform designed to support fictional storytelling. We follow a data-minimization approach, meaning we collect only information necessary to operate the platform.
- We do not sell user data
- We do not run advertising networks
- Users retain ownership of their creative content
2. Information We Collect
Account Information
When you create an account (via email registration or Google Sign-In), UYI may collect:
- email address
- display name
- profile image
- password credentials (stored securely when using email registration)
- Google user ID (when using Google Sign-In)
This information is used for:
- authentication
- account management
- community attribution
- account recovery
- platform functionality
- billing and support where relevant
UYI does not access unrelated Google services.
User Content
UYI stores content created on the platform, including:
- story drafts
- published stories
- revisions and versions
- writing metadata such as genre or character names
- story-board and character-map data
Users control the visibility of their content and may choose to make stories:
- private
- visible to friends
- publicly accessible
Usage Data
UYI may collect limited usage information such as:
- writing preferences
- reading settings
- feature usage patterns
- Ink spend and balance events needed to operate wallets and entitlements
This helps improve the functionality and performance of the platform.
Billing and Payment Data
When you purchase Ink, subscribe, tip, unlock content, or cash out Earned Ink, UYI and its payment providers may process:
- billing region and currency preferences
- transaction amounts, product or plan identifiers, and payment references
- subscription status and renewal or cancellation events
- payout account details you supply for cashout (such as bank account or recipient identifiers)
- limited identity or verification information required by payment providers or law
Card payments, subscriptions, and creator cashouts are handled by PayPal and/or Paystack (and any successor processors UYI enables). UYI does not store full payment card numbers on its own servers.
3. Cookies and Local Storage
UYI uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- maintain login sessions
- store user preferences
- improve platform stability and security
UYI does not use advertising cookies. Users can control cookies through their browser settings.
4. Analytics and Platform Monitoring
UYI may use analytics or monitoring tools to:
- understand feature usage
- detect crashes or errors
- improve platform performance
Where possible, data used for analytics is:
- aggregated
- anonymized
- not linked to identifiable individuals
5. Grammar Check and Writer Speech
Grammar Check sends the selected passage to LanguageTool, a rule-based spelling and grammar service, so it can return suggested corrections. UYI does not send your drafts to Grok or other generative AI providers for writing, rewriting, brainstorming, or an in-editor assistant while those features are disabled.
UYI will not:
- sell user content
- license stories to third-party generative AI systems for their independent training products without a separate agreement or lawful basis
Writer text-to-speech
Writers may use text-to-speech in the editor to hear their own draft. Reader-facing text-to-speech is not offered. On-device Kokoro speech is processed in your browser when that option is selected; model files may be downloaded from UYI or a content-delivery host and stored locally by your browser. If you use cloud text-to-speech, audio and related text may be sent to UYI’s speech providers to generate speech. Microphone access is used only while voice input is active.
6. Data Sharing
UYI may share limited information with trusted service providers required to operate the platform, such as:
- authentication providers (including Google for Sign-In)
- payment and payout processors (currently PayPal and Paystack)
- LanguageTool, for rule-based grammar and spelling checks
- speech providers needed to run writer text-to-speech where you use that feature
- hosting, infrastructure, and email or transactional messaging providers
- analytics or monitoring services
Information may also be disclosed where required by law. UYI does not sell, rent, or trade personal data.
7. Data Hosting
UYI is hosted using secure infrastructure providers, currently including Xneelo. Data may be stored across infrastructure systems that support:
- reliability
- redundancy
- platform performance
Reasonable safeguards are used to protect stored information.
8. Data Retention
Account Data
Account information and content are retained while the account is active. After account deletion:
- public access to content may be removed
- certain records may be retained for legal or operational reasons
- anonymized data may be retained for analytics or testing
Financial Data
Billing, purchase, subscription, tip, unlock, and payout records may be retained as required for accounting, fraud prevention, dispute handling, and applicable law, including after an account is closed where necessary.
9. User Rights
In accordance with POPIA, users may request:
- access to their personal information
- correction of inaccurate data
- deletion of personal data
Requests may require identity verification. Some data may be retained where required by law.
10. Security
UYI uses reasonable security measures including:
- encryption
- restricted system access
- secure hosting infrastructure
No online platform can guarantee complete security, but reasonable safeguards are implemented.
11. Global Access
UYI may be accessed from multiple countries. Privacy rights may vary depending on user location. Where applicable, UYI complies with relevant data protection laws.
12. Updates to this Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Updated versions will be published on the platform with a revised date. Continued use of UYI means you accept the updated policy.
13. Contact
Operator: First Draft Audio (Pty) Ltd
Platform: UYI Writing Tool
Email: [email protected]
Users may contact this address for privacy-related requests.