Terms of Service

🔒 Privacy-First Approach

By agreeing to these terms, you acknowledge that:

• • We collect only the minimum data necessary to provide our storytelling services
• • You have the right to access, correct, export, or delete your data at any time
• • We use privacy-preserving analytics to improve our platform
• • Your consent is required for any non-essential data processing
• • We will notify you of any changes to our data practices

🍪 Cookie and Tracking Agreement

Your use of our platform includes agreement to our cookie practices as detailed in our Cookie Policy:

• • Essential cookies are automatically used to enable basic functionality
• • Optional cookies require your explicit consent
• • You can modify your cookie preferences at any time
• • We respect Do Not Track signals and browser privacy settings

🌍 International Data Transfers

If you're located outside the United States, you agree that we may transfer your data to the U.S. with appropriate safeguards:

• • Standard contractual clauses for EU users
• • Adequacy decisions where applicable
• • Your explicit consent for transfers when required
• • Right to object to transfers affecting your rights

👪 Family Account Structure

🔐 Family Privacy Controls

Family accounts include granular privacy controls to protect each member:

• • Individual Consent: Each family member controls their own data sharing preferences
• • Story Permissions: Contributors can set who can view, edit, or share their stories
• • Profile Privacy: Personal information is shared only with explicit permission
• • Children's Protection: Enhanced privacy controls for family members under 18
• • Voice Recording Consent: Explicit consent required for voice recordings

⚖️ Family Member Rights and Responsibilities

📝 Your Content Ownership

You retain full ownership of your family stories, photos, voice recordings, and other content you create or upload to MyStoryFlow.

• • Story Content: You own all text, images, audio, and video you contribute
• • Collaborative Content: Shared stories are jointly owned by all contributors
• • Personal Data: You control how your personal information is used
• • Export Rights: You can download all your content in standard formats
• • Deletion Rights: You can request deletion of your content at any time

🔓 License to MyStoryFlow

To provide our storytelling services, you grant us a limited license to use your content:

• • Purpose: Only to provide, improve, and protect our services
• • Scope: Host, display, and share your content as you direct
• • Duration: Only while you maintain your account
• • Limitations: No commercial use, advertising, or sale of your content
• • Termination: License ends when you delete content or close your account

👥 Collaborative Story Rights

For stories with multiple contributors, special rules apply:

• • Joint Ownership: All contributors have rights to the collaborative story
• • Contribution Rights: Each contributor owns their specific contributions
• • Sharing Agreement: Contributors must agree on sharing permissions
• • Removal Rights: Contributors can request removal of their contributions
• • Dispute Resolution: We help resolve conflicts over collaborative content

🏛️ Third-Party Content

If you include third-party content in your stories, you're responsible for:

• • Permission: Obtaining necessary rights to use the content
• • Attribution: Properly crediting original creators
• • Compliance: Following copyright and fair use laws
• • Liability: Any legal issues arising from unauthorized use

🎯 Processing Purposes

We process your data for these specific purposes:

• • Service Delivery: Creating, storing, and sharing your family stories
• • Account Management: User authentication, family account coordination
• • Communication: Service updates, privacy notifications, support
• • Improvement: Analytics to enhance our storytelling platform (with consent)
• • Legal Compliance: Meeting our legal obligations and protecting rights

⚖️ Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data based on these legal foundations:

✅ Consent-Based Processing

Some data processing requires your explicit consent:

• • Marketing Communications: Newsletters, feature announcements
• • Analytics Cookies: Usage tracking and service improvement
• • Voice Recordings: Audio content processing and storage
• • Special Categories: Any sensitive personal information
• • Third-Party Sharing: Sharing with partners (we generally don't do this)

🔄 Data Processing Rights

You have comprehensive rights regarding your data processing:

✅ Acceptable Use

You may use MyStoryFlow to:

• • Create and share family stories, memories, and experiences
• • Collaborate with family members on shared narratives
• • Preserve family history and traditions
• • Create physical books and keepsakes from your stories
• • Connect with family members across distances

❌ Prohibited Activities

You may not use MyStoryFlow for:

• • Posting illegal, harmful, or offensive content
• • Harassing or threatening other users
• • Violating others' privacy or intellectual property rights
• • Attempting to access other users' accounts or data
• • Using the platform for commercial purposes without permission
• • Sharing content that violates applicable laws

🛡️ Content Moderation

We maintain a safe environment through:

• • Automated Systems: Technology to detect potentially harmful content
• • User Reporting: Easy ways to report inappropriate content or behavior
• • Human Review: Trained moderators review flagged content
• • Graduated Response: Warnings, content removal, or account suspension as needed
• • Appeals Process: Fair review process for moderation decisions

💳 Subscription Plans

🔄 Billing and Renewals

• • Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled
• • Billing Cycle: Monthly or annual billing as selected
• • Price Changes: 30-day notice for any price increases
• • Payment Methods: Credit cards, PayPal, and other secure methods
• • Failed Payments: Grace period and retry attempts for failed payments

↩️ Cancellation and Refunds

• • Cancellation: Cancel anytime through your account settings
• • Service Continuation: Continue using paid features until the end of your billing period
• • Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee for new subscriptions
• • Prorated Refunds: Available for downgrades or cancellations in certain circumstances
• • Data Retention: Your data remains available during grace periods

🎯 Service Commitment

• • Uptime Goal: 99.9% availability for paid plans
• • Maintenance Windows: Scheduled maintenance during low-usage periods
• • Status Updates: Real-time service status and incident communications
• • Data Backup: Regular backups to prevent data loss
• • Security Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring for security threats

⚠️ Service Limitations

• • Force Majeure: Service interruptions due to natural disasters or circumstances beyond our control
• • Internet Dependency: Service requires internet connectivity
• • Browser Compatibility: Optimal experience on supported browsers
• • Third-Party Services: Potential interruptions from integrated services
• • Capacity Limits: Temporary restrictions during high-demand periods

🔧 Maintenance and Updates

• • Regular Updates: Feature improvements and security patches
• • Advance Notice: 24-48 hour notice for scheduled maintenance
• • Emergency Maintenance: Immediate fixes for critical security issues
• • Feature Rollouts: Gradual deployment of new features
• • Deprecation Policy: 90-day notice before removing features

🤝 Informal Resolution

We encourage resolving disputes through direct communication first:

• • Customer Support: Contact our support team for service issues
• • Privacy Team: Reach our privacy team for data protection concerns
• • Account Managers: Work with account managers for subscription issues
• • Response Time: We aim to respond within 24-48 hours
• • Escalation: Issues can be escalated to senior management

🏛️ Privacy-Related Disputes

Special procedures for privacy and data protection disputes:

• • Privacy Officer: Dedicated privacy officer for complex issues
• • Regulatory Complaints: Right to file complaints with data protection authorities
• • Independent Review: Third-party privacy experts for certain disputes
• • Interim Measures: Temporary data processing restrictions while resolving disputes
• • Rights Enforcement: Assistance with exercising your privacy rights

⚖️ Formal Dispute Resolution

If informal resolution doesn't work, formal options include:

• • Arbitration: Binding arbitration for most disputes
• • Small Claims Court: Option for smaller disputes
• • Class Action Waiver: Individual arbitration preferred over class actions
• • Governing Law: California law governs these terms
• • Venue: San Francisco, California for any court proceedings

🚪 Voluntary Termination

You can close your account at any time:

• • Account Closure: Use account settings or contact support
• • Data Export: Download all your stories and data before closing
• • Family Notification: Family members are notified of account closure
• • Subscription Cancellation: Active subscriptions are cancelled
• • Refund Processing: Eligible refunds processed within 30 days

⚠️ Termination by MyStoryFlow

We may terminate accounts for serious violations:

• • Terms Violations: Serious or repeated violations of these terms
• • Illegal Activity: Use of the platform for illegal purposes
• • Abuse: Harassment, threats, or abuse of other users
• • Payment Issues: Persistent non-payment for premium services
• • Security Risks: Accounts that pose security risks to the platform

💾 Data Handling Upon Termination

Here's what happens to your data when accounts are terminated:

• • Grace Period: 30-day grace period to recover accounts closed by mistake
• • Data Deletion: Personal data deleted within 90 days of termination
• • Shared Content: Collaborative stories remain if other contributors want to keep them
• • Backup Retention: Backup copies may persist for up to 18 months for technical reasons
• • Legal Holds: Data may be retained longer if required by law

👪 Family Account Termination

Special considerations for family accounts:

• • Admin Termination: Family admin can close the entire family account
• • Member Departure: Individual members can leave family accounts
• • Content Preservation: Collaborative content remains with remaining family members
• • New Admin: Remaining family members can designate a new admin
• • Data Rights: Departing members can request copies of their contributions

📢 Notification Process

• • Email Notice: All users receive email notifications of significant changes
• • In-App Notifications: Prominent notices in your dashboard
• • Website Banner: Temporary banner on our website
• • Version History: Previous versions available for reference
• • Summary of Changes: Clear explanation of what changed and why

⏰ Effective Dates

• • 30-Day Notice: Major changes take effect 30 days after notice
• • Immediate Changes: Minor clarifications or legal compliance updates
• • Privacy Changes: Privacy-related changes require explicit consent
• • Fee Changes: Subscription price changes with full billing cycle notice
• • Emergency Updates: Security-related changes may be immediate

🔄 Your Options

When we update these terms, you can:

• • Accept Changes: Continue using the service under new terms
• • Reject Changes: Close your account before the effective date
• • Export Data: Download your stories before leaving
• • Provide Feedback: Share your thoughts on proposed changes
• • Seek Clarification: Contact support with questions about changes