Effective date: Nov. 20, 2021

Update date: June 5, 2023

We know that you care how information about you is used and shared, and we appreciate your trust that we will do so carefully and sensibly. This Privacy Policy describes how inovelhome.com, and its affiliates (collectively "Novelhome") collect and process your personal information through Novelhome websites, devices, products, services, and applications that reference this Privacy Policy (together "Novelhome Services"). By using Novelhome Services you are consenting to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

  1. Data Collection

We collect your personal information in order to provide and continually improve our products and services.

Here are the types of personal information we collect:

             Operation and Data Provided. We collect the actions and data you provide on Novelhome, including reading or publishing novels, making comments, and purchasing coins for charged chapters, such as:

         the content you create, for example novel or comments;

         the metadata about the content itself, for example upload address or creation documents date, in accordance with the relevant legislation;

         the type of content that you read or comment;

         the application and function you use, and your operation during this;

         the purchase or other transactions you do including the credit card data;

         the time, frequency, and duration of your operation.

         data under special protection: You can choose to provide data about your age, gender, address, and email address. These and some other types of data may be specially protected under the laws of your jurisdiction.

             Automatic Data. We automatically collect and store certain types of information about the different devices you use and how you use these devices, and the data that comes from these devices. The device data that we collect and receive including:

         the device and software that you currently use, and other device characteristics;

         the data that your device links to the Internet, including your IP address;

         the data that is collected by Cookies (specified on Section 2) and other similar techniques.

             Data from Other Sources. We will collect various data and operations that you are on or out of Novelhome from business partners, suppliers, and third parties. For example, we will collect your device data, your using application and the advertisement you view. Furthermore, business partners will share us some other data, such as your email, third-party account data. 

  1. Cookies

Cookies are small pieces of text used to store data on web browsers. Cookies are used to store and receive identifiers and other data on computers, phones and other devices. Other technologies, including data that we store on your web browser or device, identifiers associated with your device and other software, are used for similar purposes. In this policy, we refer to all of these technologies as "cookies".

We use cookies if you have a Novelhome account, use Novelhome, including our website and apps, or visit other websites and apps that use Novelhome. Cookies enable Novelhome to offer Novelhome to you and to understand the data that we receive about you, including data about your use of other websites and apps, whether you are registered or logged in or not.

We use cookies to:

         verify log-in data.

         track traffic flow and patterns of travel in connection with the Services.

         understand the total number of visitors to the Services on an ongoing basis and the types of devices.

         monitor the performance of the Services and continually improve it.

         customize and enhance your online experience.

         provide customer service.

You have the right to choose whether to accept cookies or not. However, please note that if you choose to refuse cookies. Certain parts of Novelhome may not work properly if you have disabled browser cookie use. Please be aware that these controls are distinct from the controls that Novelhome offers you.

Most devices (in the case of mobile applications) and browsers (in the case of web apps and pages) are initially set up to accept cookies and allow you to change your cookies settings. These settings will typically be found in your browsersoptionsorpreferencesmenu. You can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when cookies are being sent.

  1. Types of Data Processing and Purposes

We use your personal information to operate, provide, develop, and improve the products and services that we offer our customers. These purposes include:

Data Processing: Purpose and Methods

Types of Data Used in Situations ( specified in Section 1 )

The actual data we use will depend on your actual situation, but may include the following data.

Data is collected, stored, shared, analyzed, reviewed, and collated for the following purposes:

             Creating and maintaining user accounts and personal homepages

             Promoting content

             Providing comments functionality

             Offering commercial novels

             Conducting analyses

Data is also used for:

             Testing Novelhome's functionality

             Identifying and solving issues

             Developing and testing new features

             Gathering feedback for Novelhome or its functions

Operation and Data Provided:

             Content created: [novels, comments, etc.]

             Content metadata: [upload address, creation documents date, etc.] in accordance with relevant legislation

             Content read or commented on: [type of content]

             Application and function used: [name of app and operation performed]

             Purchase or transaction data: [credit card information and other transaction details]

             Time, frequency, and duration of operations: [when and how often operations are performed]

Application, Browser, and Device Data:

             Device and software information: [type of device, software version, etc.]

             Internet connection data: [IP address]

             Data collected by cookies and similar techniques: [cookie data]

Data from Business Partners, Suppliers, and Third Parties:

             Control over Novelhome's use of business partner data for personalized advertising.

We will use automated and manual processing techniques to process data for the following purposes:

             Verifying accounts and operations

             Investigating suspicious activity

             Conducting anti-piracy operations

             Detecting, preventing, and combating harmful or illegal activities

             Monitoring and preventing spam, as well as other security issues and negative experiences.

Operation and Data Provided:

             Content created: [novels, comments, etc.]

             Content metadata: [upload address, creation documents date, etc.] in accordance with relevant legislation

             Content read or commented on: [type of content]

             Application and function used: [name of app and operation performed]

             Purchase or transaction data: [credit card information and other transaction details]

             Time, frequency, and duration of operations: [when and how often operations are performed]

Application, Browser, and Device Data:

             Device and software information: [type of device, software version, etc.]

             Internet connection data: [IP address]

             Data collected by cookies and similar techniques: [cookie data]

Data from Business Partners, Suppliers, and Third Parties

Processing your protected data with your permission to improve our services by collecting, storing, publishing, and processing it automatically or manually, while complying with the law and protecting your rights and interests.

Operation and Data Provided:

             Data about personal information provided during registration (age, gender, address, email, etc.), potentially protected by local laws.

We may transfer, store, or process your data across borders, including with the United States and other countries, in order to maintain, analyze, and improve Novelhome due to our global operations involving users, partners, suppliers, and employees worldwide.

Operation and Data Provided:

             Content created: [novels, comments, etc.]

             Content metadata: [upload address, creation documents date, etc.] in accordance with relevant legislation

             Content read or commented on: [type of content]

             Application and function used: [name of app and operation performed]

             Purchase or transaction data: [credit card information and other transaction details]

             Time, frequency, and duration of operations: [when and how often operations are performed]

Application, Browser, and Device Data:

             Device and software information: [type of device, software version, etc.]

             Internet connection data: [IP address]

             Data collected by cookies and similar techniques: [cookie data]

Data from Business Partners, Suppliers, and Third Parties

We may share your data with a third party based on your instructions. For example, if you request payment through PayPal, we will share the necessary account information to complete the transaction.

Operation and Data Provided:

             Content created: [your name, bank account number, email, address, etc.]

 

  1. Sharing Data

Information about our customers is an important part of our business, and we are not in the business of selling our customers' personal information to others. We share customers' personal information only as described below and with subsidiaries inovelhome.com. Novelhome controls that either are subject to this Privacy Policy or follow practices at least as protective as those described in this Privacy Policy.

             Transactions involving Third Parties. We make available to you services, products, applications, or skills provided by third parties for use on or through Novelhome Services. For example, you can order products from third parties through our stores. You can tell when a third party is involved in your transactions, and we share customers’ personal information related to those transactions with that third party.

             Third-Party Service Providers. We employ other companies and individuals to perform functions on our behalf. Examples include fulfilling orders for products or services, sending postal mail and email, removing repetitive information from customer lists, analyzing data, providing marketing assistance, providing search results and links (including paid listings and links), processing payments, transmitting content, scoring, assessing and managing credit risk, and providing customer service. These third-party service providers have access to personal information needed to perform their functions, but may not use it for other purposes.

             Business Transfers. As we continue to develop our business, we might sell or buy other businesses or services. In such transactions, customer information generally is one of the transferred business assets but remains subject to the promises made in any pre-existing Privacy Policy (unless, of course, the customer consents otherwise). Also, in the unlikely event that inovelhome.com or substantially all of its assets are acquired, customer information will of course be one of the transferred assets.

             Protection of Novelhome and Others. We disclose account and other personal information when we believe disclosing is appropriate to comply with the law; enforce or apply our Terms of Service and other agreements; or protect the rights, property, or safety of Novelhome, our users, or others. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection and credit risk reduction.

             Other than as set out above, you will receive notice when personal information about you might be shared with third parties, and you will have an opportunity to choose not to share the information.

  1. Data Security

We design our systems with your security and privacy in mind.

             We work to protect the security of your personal information during transmission by using encryption protocols and software.

             We follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) when handling credit card data.

             We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards in connection with the collection, storage, and disclosure of personal customer information. Our security procedures mean that we may occasionally request proof of identity before we disclose personal information to you.

             Our devices offer security features to protect them against unauthorized access and loss of data. You can control these features and configure them based on your needs. 

             It is important for you to protect against unauthorized access to your password and to your computers, devices, and applications. Be sure to sign off when finished using a shared computer. 

  1. Data Management or Deleting & Your Rights

We provide the following tools for viewing, managing, downloading, and deleting your own personal data. You can also visit the Settings page of the product you are using to manage personal data. In addition, you may have other privacy rights under applicable law.

You can use Personal Center or open the client, click "Me" - "Help & Feedback," and then contact customer service by email support@inovelhome.com to exercise your rights.

             View and manage your personal data.

You are entitled to access, view, and manage your personal data via Personal Center or by opening the client, clicking "Me" - " Help & Feedback," and then contacting customer service by email support@inovelhome.com.

             Delete your personal data or your account.

If you want to remove your personal data, you can:

         Search for and remove certain personal data. We have provided you with a series of tools that will help you delete certain personal data. For example, you can use the Delete button to remove books from the shelf. You can remove the comments by clicking the Delete button. Once the comments are removed, other users will not be able to see them anymore.

         Remove your account permanently. You can contact us by email at support@inovelhome.com to ask for your account to be removed. Once your account is removed, we will no longer supply you with any products or services. We will remove your personal data at your request, except as otherwise required by law. We will help you to remove your account data and delete your payment records for unlocking chapters. If you permanently remove your account, you cannot reactivate it, and you cannot retrieve your reading, spending, or unlocking records, including the balance of your top-up voucher.

             How long does it take to delete your personal data?

The time required for deletion varies; for example, deleting your personal data is instantaneous and will be removed immediately. Deleting the account must not last more than 15 days from the date of receipt of the request. If you do not like it, please contact the customer service department and complain.

You can use Personal Center to view your personal data or click "Me" - "Help & Feedback." You can inquire, correct, delete, cancel user account, and revoke authorized user's operation by contacting the client. For safety reasons, you might want to submit a written request or some other way to prove your identity. You may be required to confirm your identity before you proceed with your application.

A reply will be sent to you within 15 working days. If you don't like it, feel free to contact customer service to complain.

  1. Age Restrictions

Novelhome is not for children under 12. Users aged 12-18 must have parent or guardian permission to use the service and use an account established by their parent or guardian. Parents are responsible for any use of the service by their teen. Contact us if you believe we have collected data from a child under 12.

8. Data Retention Time

We retain your data for as long as it is necessary to provide you with the service or fulfill the transactions you have requested or authorized. Where we do not need your data in order to provide the service to you, we retain it only for so long as we have a legitimate business purpose in keeping such data, including to comply with our legal obligations, enforce our agreements, resolve disputes, and as necessary for the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims.

You can delete your Account, and you should understand that upon deletion of your Account, you will lose the right to access or use all or part of the Platform. After you have deleted your account, we may retain certain data in an aggregated and anonymized format.

9.    Conditions of Use, Notices, and Revisions

If you choose to use Novelhome, your use and any dispute over privacy is subject to this Policy, including limitations on damages, resolution of disputes, and application of the law of Hong Kong.

If you have any concern about privacy at Novelhome, please Contact Us with a thorough description, and we will try to resolve the issue for you. Further, the Novelhome can be contacted at support@inovelhome.com.

Our business changes constantly, and our Privacy Policy will change also. You should check our website frequently to see recent changes. Unless stated otherwise, our current Privacy Policy applies to all information that we have about you and your account. We stand behind the promises we make, however, and will never materially change our policies and practices to make them less protective of customer information collected in the past without the consent of affected customers.

10.  Complaints

If you have a complaint about how we process your personal data, please email us at support@inovelhome.com. We will try to address your request promptly. You still have the right to file a claim with your data protection authority or follow the dispute resolution process outlined in the Terms of Service.

11.  Contact

Contact us if you have questions about this policy:

Email: support@inovelhome.com