Cryptid Universe Privacy Policy

Effective September 26, 2026

Cryptid Universe (com.ksvalentina.cryptiduniverse) is operated by Fantasy Slayer Publishing for the fiction of K.S. Valentina. For privacy questions or requests, email darklingcollectivepublishing@gmail.com.

Reading, age eligibility, and games

The app does not require an app account. Your age-eligibility choice, reading positions, bookmarks, reading settings, game progress, and unlocked bonus content are stored on your device. The age screen stores only whether you indicated that you are at least 18; it does not ask for or save your birth date. Our app code does not upload reading or game progress or offer cross-device synchronization. Device or operating-system backups may be governed by your device settings.

Purchases and review access

Apple App Store processes iOS purchases; Google Play processes Android purchases. We do not receive your card number or payment credentials. When you purchase or restore a paid book (including Overburden or Firedamp), the app sends product information and a store purchase token or signed Apple transaction to our Netlify-hosted verification service over HTTPS. The service checks ownership with the relevant store. For Apple purchases, it verifies the signed transaction and checks the transaction with Apple's App Store Server API, including whether access has been revoked. Our code processes this information to confirm access; it does not maintain a transaction database or intentionally log purchase credentials. Access status is saved on your device. Apple and Google retain transaction records under their own policies.

If you choose to redeem an authorized review-access code, the app sends that code over HTTPS to our service for validation. Our service stores a cryptographic hash of the authorized code, and does not intentionally log submitted codes. The code grants review access, not a paid purchase. Access status is saved locally and can be removed in Reader space.

Dispatches

Dispatches loads selected newsletter editions from ksvalentina.com when you open the section or refresh it. Those requests expose technical network information such as your IP address to the website host. The app caches editions and read status on your device; it does not send your reading history to the feed or subscribe you to email.

Updates and technical information

The app uses Expo's update service to check for and deliver app updates. These requests include an installation identifier, platform and app runtime information, network information including IP address, and, when applicable, information about a prior update-launch error. These data support update delivery, diagnostics, and reliable operation.

Netlify hosts our privacy page and verification services. Requests expose technical information such as IP address, request time, and route to the provider. The verification and access-code endpoints use IP-based rate limits to prevent abuse. Service providers may retain operational and security records under their own policies. We do not use this information for advertising profiles or sell it.

Permissions and external services

The app does not use an advertising SDK or Android Advertising ID. It does not request access to your microphone, contacts, or precise location. Audio is played from included soundtrack files; the app does not record you.

External links open the author's website, book retailers, or other identified services. Those services have their own privacy practices. If you email us, we receive your email address and whatever information you choose to include, and use it to answer your request.

Retention, security, and your choices

Local progress and access settings remain until you remove them through the app where offered, clear app storage where supported, or uninstall, subject to device-backup settings. Removing local data does not erase Apple or Google transaction records or request a refund. Purchased access can be restored with the purchasing Apple or Google account.

Our endpoints use HTTPS and do not keep a separate database of reader profiles, purchase tokens, or submitted review codes. Service-provider operational logs are retained according to those providers' policies and service settings. Support correspondence is retained as needed to handle the request and any related recordkeeping requirements. Email us to request deletion of support correspondence or other information you have provided directly; we will explain any information we must retain or that is controlled by another provider.

Adult audience

Cryptid Universe is intended for adults aged 18 and over. It contains mature fiction, including explicit sexual scenes, strong language, horror, death, and grief. The app requires an adult-eligibility declaration before its reading and game content can be opened. We do not knowingly seek information from children.

Updates to this policy

We may update this policy as the app changes. The effective date above identifies the current version. Contact darklingcollectivepublishing@gmail.com with questions.

Service-provider policies: Apple, Google, Expo, and Netlify.