Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 26, 2026

Last Updated: June 26, 2026

Knovel Protocol, Inc. (“Knovel,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the publishing platform at knovel.co. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and what rights you have over it.

If you have questions, contact us at privacy@knovel.co.

1. What We Collect

Account and Profile Data

When you create a profile on Knovel, we collect your username, display name, bio, and avatar image. If you connect a crypto wallet, we collect your public wallet address. We do not collect your private key or seed phrase — ever.

Reading Behavior

We collect data about how you interact with content on Knovel: books you open, chapters you read, reading progress, books you mark as finished, books you add to your reading list, and authors you follow.

Content You Create

If you are an author, we store the books, chapters, and metadata you publish on Knovel. If you create derivative works, reviews, or ratings, we store those as well.

Earnings and Transaction Data

For authors who earn on Knovel, we collect earnings records associated with your account. On-chain transactions (IP registration, royalty flows) are recorded on Story Protocol and are publicly visible by nature of the blockchain — Knovel does not control that data.

Communications

If you contact us via email or feedback tools, we retain those communications.

Technical Data

We automatically collect standard technical data when you use the platform: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, pages visited, and timestamps. This data is used for security, debugging, and platform performance.

2. How We Use Your Data

We use the data we collect to:

• Operate and improve the Knovel platform
• Display your profile and published works to other users
• Calculate and display trending scores and recommendations
• Process and record earnings
• Send notifications you have opted into (new chapters from followed authors, reviews on your books, etc.)
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal data. We do not use your data to serve third-party advertising.

3. On-Chain Data

When you publish a book on Knovel, your public wallet address and content metadata are registered on Story Protocol’s blockchain. This data is public, permanent, and outside Knovel’s control. We cannot delete or modify on-chain records. By publishing on Knovel, you acknowledge and accept that your wallet address will be publicly associated with your published works.

4. How We Share Your Data

We share data only in the following circumstances:

Service providers. We use third-party services to operate the platform, including cloud hosting, IPFS storage via Pinata, and analytics. These providers access data only as necessary to perform services on our behalf and are contractually required to protect it.

Legal requirements. We may disclose data if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Knovel, our users, or the public.

Business transfers. If Knovel is acquired or merges with another company, your data may transfer as part of that transaction. We will notify users before that happens.

We do not share your reading behavior, earnings data, or personal profile data with third parties for their own marketing or commercial purposes.

5. Data Retention

We retain your account and profile data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete your profile data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or necessary to resolve disputes.

Reading behavior and earnings records may be retained for up to 3 years for accounting and legal compliance purposes.

On-chain data is permanent and cannot be deleted by Knovel or by you.

6. Your Rights

All Users

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your account and associated data (subject to legal retention requirements and the permanent nature of on-chain records)
• Opt out of non-essential communications at any time

California Residents (CCPA)

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

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, share, or sell
• The right to delete personal information we hold about you (subject to exceptions)
• The right to opt out of the sale of personal information — we do not sell personal information
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@knovel.co with the subject line “CCPA Request.”

EU and UK Residents (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation including:

• The right to access, correct, or delete your personal data
• The right to restrict or object to processing
• The right to data portability
• The right to withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent
• The right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

Our lawful bases for processing are: performance of a contract (operating your account), legitimate interests (platform security and improvement), and legal obligation (compliance requirements).

To exercise your GDPR rights, contact us at privacy@knovel.co with the subject line “GDPR Request.” We will respond within 30 days.

7. Cookies and Tracking

Knovel uses cookies and similar technologies to keep you logged in, remember your preferences (reading theme, font size), and understand how the platform is used.

We use:

• Essential cookies — required for the platform to function. Cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies — help us understand how users interact with the platform. You can opt out via your account settings.

We do not use advertising cookies or share cookie data with ad networks.

8. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including encryption in transit (TLS), access controls, and regular security reviews. No system is completely secure. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at security@knovel.co.

Your crypto wallet’s security is your responsibility. Knovel will never ask for your private key or seed phrase.

9. Children

Knovel is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If we learn we have collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with their data, contact us at privacy@knovel.co.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the platform evolves. When we make material changes, we will notify users via email or an in-platform notice at least 14 days before the changes take effect. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.

Continued use of Knovel after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact

For privacy questions, requests, or concerns:

Knovel Protocol, Inc.

Email: privacy@knovel.co

For security issues: security@knovel.co