Privacy Policy
Last updated : 02 December 2025
AuthorCentral.uk (“Site”) is owned and operated by ZypherLock LLC (“we”, “us”, “our”). Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and the rights you have under the UK GDPR, the EU GDPR (where applicable) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018.
1. Information we collect
- Account data – name, e-mail address, password, pen name(s), billing address.
- Content data – manuscripts, cover art, marketing copy and any files you upload.
- Usage data – IP, browser type, device IDs, pages visited, timestamps, referrers.
- Payment data – limited details from PayPal / Stripe (never full card numbers).
- Communications – messages to support, survey responses, live-chat logs.
- Cookies & tech – small files to remember prefs, keep you logged-in and analyse traffic.
2. Why we use your data
- To create and maintain your AuthorCentral account.
- To process, distribute and report on your book sales.
- To provide customer support and respond to enquiries.
- To improve and secure the Site (analytics, debugging, fraud-prevention).
- To send transactional notices (password resets, royalty statements) and — with consent — marketing updates.
- To comply with legal obligations (tax reporting, anti-fraud checks).
Legal bases: contract performance, legitimate interests, consent (for optional e-mails) and legal compliance.
3. Sharing your data
We never sell your personal data. We share it only with:
- Trusted hosting & infrastructure providers.
- Payment processors (PayPal, Stripe) for payouts and subscription fees.
- Analytics vendors (e.g. Plausible, Matomo) using anonymised IPs.
- Law-enforcement/regulators when legally required.
4. International transfers
Your data may be processed outside the UK/EU. We rely on UK adequacy decisions, Standard Contractual Clauses or other lawful safeguards.
5. Data retention
We retain data for the life of your account plus 7 years for tax/audit. Back-ups roll off after 30 days.
6. Your rights
- Access • Rectification • Erasure • Restriction • Portability • Objection • Withdraw consent
To exercise any right, e-mail privacy@authorcentral.uk. You may also complain to the UK ICO (ico.org.uk).
7. Children’s privacy
The Site is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their data.
8. Security measures
TLS encryption, firewalls, routine vulnerability scans and role-based access controls help protect your data.
9. Changes
Updates will appear here; significant changes are flagged by e-mail or banner.