54

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 15, 2024
Effective Date: November 15, 2024

Introduction

Welcome to Federation 54. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and respect. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use our collaborative storytelling platform.

By using Federation 54, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the Platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information to provide and improve our services to you.

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account Information:

  • Email address
  • Name (real name or display name)
  • Password (encrypted and hashed)
  • Profile information (optional bio, avatar, preferences)

Content You Create:

  • Stories and written content
  • Comments and discussions
  • Character profiles
  • Ship and crew information
  • Achievement and progression data

Communications:

  • Messages you send to us
  • Support requests
  • Feedback and surveys
  • Event participation data

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data:

  • Pages visited and features used
  • Time spent on the Platform
  • Stories read and interactions
  • Achievement progress
  • Discovery triggers activated

Device and Technical Information:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type and operating system
  • Screen resolution
  • Referral URLs
  • Language preferences

Cookies and Similar Technologies:

  • Session cookies (required for functionality)
  • Authentication tokens
  • Preference cookies (optional)
  • Analytics cookies (optional)

1.3 Information From Third Parties

We may receive information if you:

  • Sign in using third-party services (e.g., OAuth providers)
  • Share our content on social media
  • Participate in integrated events or promotions

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 To Provide Our Services

  • Create and maintain your account
  • Enable you to write and share stories
  • Display your content to other users
  • Track your progress and achievements
  • Facilitate the discovery engine
  • Enable collaborative storytelling features

2.2 To Improve Our Platform

  • Analyze usage patterns and trends
  • Identify and fix technical issues
  • Develop new features and improvements
  • Optimize user experience
  • Test new functionality

2.3 To Communicate With You

  • Send account-related notifications
  • Provide customer support
  • Send updates about events and competitions
  • Share platform announcements
  • Respond to your inquiries
  • Send newsletters (with your consent)

2.4 To Ensure Safety and Security

  • Prevent fraud and abuse
  • Enforce our Terms of Service
  • Protect against unauthorized access
  • Monitor for suspicious activity
  • Comply with legal obligations

2.5 To Personalize Your Experience

  • Recommend content you might enjoy
  • Suggest collaborations with other writers
  • Customize your dashboard
  • Remember your preferences
  • Show relevant achievements and goals

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data based on:

Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide our services
Legitimate Interests: Improving our platform, preventing fraud, ensuring security
Consent: Marketing communications, optional analytics
Legal Obligation: Compliance with applicable laws

4. How We Share Your Information

We value your privacy and do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 Public Content

Content you post publicly on Federation 54 is visible to:

  • Other registered users
  • Visitors to the Platform
  • Search engines (for public-facing content)

You control what you share publicly through your privacy settings.

4.2 With Other Users

  • Your username and profile information are visible to other users
  • Your stories and contributions are part of the shared canon
  • Comments and interactions are visible in relevant contexts

4.3 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us:

  • Hosting Services: Cloud infrastructure and data storage
  • Email Services: Transactional and marketing emails
  • Analytics Providers: Usage statistics and insights (anonymized when possible)
  • Security Services: DDoS protection, fraud prevention
  • Payment Processors: If we introduce paid features (PCI-compliant)

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to:

  • Comply with legal obligations (court orders, subpoenas)
  • Protect rights, property, or safety of Federation 54, users, or the public
  • Prevent or investigate fraud or security issues
  • Enforce our Terms of Service

4.5 Business Transfers

If Federation 54 is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4.6 With Your Consent

We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations.

5.1 Active Accounts

  • Account information: Retained while your account is active
  • Content: Retained as part of the shared canon (even after account deletion)
  • Usage data: Typically retained for 2 years

5.2 Deleted Accounts

When you delete your account:

  • Personal information (email, password) is permanently deleted within 30 days
  • Your stories remain in the shared canon (attributed to "Former User")
  • You can request content removal, but it may affect canon continuity
  • Backup copies may persist for up to 90 days

5.3 Legal Requirements

Some information may be retained longer to:

  • Comply with legal or regulatory requirements
  • Resolve disputes or enforce agreements
  • Prevent fraud or abuse

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have control over your information and how it's used.

6.1 Access and Portability

You can:

  • Access your personal information through your account settings
  • Request a copy of your data in portable format
  • Download your stories and content

6.2 Correction and Updates

You can:

  • Update your account information at any time
  • Correct inaccurate data
  • Edit or delete your content (subject to canon considerations)

6.3 Deletion

You can:

  • Delete your account at any time
  • Request removal of specific content
  • Withdraw consent for optional data processing

Note: Content deletion may be limited if it's integral to the shared canon and other users have built upon it.

6.4 Opt-Out Options

You can opt out of:

  • Marketing emails (via unsubscribe link)
  • Optional analytics cookies
  • Data sharing with specific third parties
  • Public profile visibility

6.5 Do Not Track

We currently do not respond to Do Not Track (DNT) signals, as there is no industry standard for compliance.

6.6 Rights for EU Users (GDPR)

If you're in the EEA, you have additional rights:

  • Right to access your data
  • Right to rectification
  • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to withdraw consent
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

6.7 Rights for California Users (CCPA)

If you're a California resident, you have rights to:

  • Know what personal information is collected
  • Know whether personal information is sold or disclosed
  • Say no to the sale of personal information (we don't sell data)
  • Access your personal information
  • Request deletion of personal information
  • Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

7.1 Technical Safeguards

  • Encryption in transit (HTTPS/SSL/TLS)
  • Encryption at rest for sensitive data
  • Secure password hashing (bcrypt)
  • Regular security audits
  • Firewall protection
  • DDoS mitigation

7.2 Organizational Safeguards

  • Access controls and authentication
  • Employee training on data protection
  • Confidentiality agreements
  • Regular security reviews
  • Incident response procedures

7.3 Limitations

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for:

  • Keeping your password confidential
  • Using a secure internet connection
  • Logging out of shared devices
  • Reporting suspected security breaches

8. Children's Privacy

Federation 54 is designed for users aged 13 and older. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

8.1 Age Requirements

  • Users must be at least 13 years old
  • Users aged 13-17 should have parental consent
  • We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13

8.2 Parental Rights

Parents or guardians can:

  • Review their child's information
  • Request deletion of their child's data
  • Refuse further collection of their child's information

8.3 Discovery of Underage Users

If we learn that we have collected information from a child under 13:

  • We will delete the account immediately
  • We will remove all associated personal information
  • We will notify the user via email (if possible)

9. International Data Transfers

Federation 54 is based in [Your Country]. If you access our Platform from outside [Your Country], your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in [Your Country] or other countries.

9.1 Adequacy

We ensure that international transfers comply with applicable laws through:

  • Standard contractual clauses
  • Adequacy decisions
  • Privacy Shield frameworks (where applicable)
  • User consent

9.2 Your Rights

You have the right to information about:

  • Where your data is stored
  • What safeguards are in place
  • How to exercise your rights across jurisdictions

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience.

10.1 Types of Cookies

Essential Cookies (Required):

  • Authentication and session management
  • Security features
  • Load balancing
  • Core functionality

Functional Cookies (Optional):

  • Remember your preferences
  • Customization settings
  • Language selection

Analytics Cookies (Optional):

  • Usage statistics
  • Performance monitoring
  • Feature optimization

Marketing Cookies (Optional):

  • Not currently used
  • Would require explicit consent if implemented

10.2 Cookie Management

You can control cookies through:

  • Your browser settings
  • Our cookie preference center
  • Third-party opt-out tools

Note: Disabling essential cookies may impair Platform functionality.

10.3 Third-Party Cookies

We may use third-party services that set their own cookies:

  • Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics)
  • Social media widgets
  • CDN providers

Review their privacy policies for more information.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to external websites or integrate with third-party services.

11.1 Our Responsibility

We are not responsible for:

  • Privacy practices of third-party sites
  • Content on external websites
  • Data collection by third parties
  • Security of third-party services

11.2 Your Responsibility

When you leave our Platform:

  • Review the privacy policy of the destination site
  • Understand what information you're sharing
  • Make informed decisions about third-party services

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in our practices
  • New features or services
  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • User feedback

12.1 Notification of Changes

When we make significant changes, we will:

  • Update the "Last Updated" date
  • Notify you via email
  • Display a prominent notice on the Platform
  • Require acceptance for material changes

12.2 Your Continued Use

Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Special Provisions for Federation 54

13.1 Collaborative Canon

Because Federation 54 is a collaborative storytelling platform:

  • Your stories contribute to a shared universe
  • Other users may reference or build upon your content
  • Complete content removal may affect narrative continuity
  • We strive to balance privacy rights with collaborative integrity

13.2 Discovery Engine

The discovery engine may:

  • Analyze your writing for keyword triggers
  • Track which content you unlock
  • Recommend related stories and systems
  • Generate personalized content suggestions

This processing is necessary for core Platform functionality.

13.3 Timeline Progression

Your participation data helps us:

  • Track in-game timeline progression
  • Coordinate community events
  • Maintain narrative consistency
  • Generate statistics for the community

13.4 Public Achievements

Some achievements and milestones may be:

  • Publicly visible on leaderboards
  • Shared in community announcements
  • Used to promote Platform engagement

You can opt out of public leaderboards in your settings.

14. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information:

14.1 Our Response

We will:

  • Investigate the breach immediately
  • Take steps to mitigate harm
  • Notify affected users within 72 hours (or as required by law)
  • Report to relevant authorities as required
  • Provide information about what data was affected
  • Offer guidance on protective measures

14.2 Your Actions

If notified of a breach, you should:

  • Change your password immediately
  • Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity
  • Enable two-factor authentication (if available)
  • Review your privacy settings

15. California "Shine the Light" Law

California residents can request information about:

  • Personal information disclosed to third parties for marketing purposes
  • Categories of information shared
  • Names and addresses of third parties

We do not currently share information for third-party marketing purposes.

16. Nevada Privacy Rights

Nevada residents have the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information as defined by Nevada law.

17. Contact Information

17.1 Privacy Questions

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

Federation 54 Privacy Team
Email: [privacy@federation54.com]
Website: [https://federation54.com/privacy]

17.2 Data Protection Officer

For GDPR-related inquiries:
Email: [dpo@federation54.com]

17.3 Exercise Your Rights

To exercise your privacy rights:

We will respond to requests within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

18. Complaints and Disputes

18.1 Internal Resolution

If you have concerns about our privacy practices:

  1. Contact us at [privacy@federation54.com]
  2. We will investigate and respond within 30 days
  3. We will work with you to resolve the issue

18.2 Regulatory Authorities

You have the right to file a complaint with:

  • EU Users: Your local data protection authority
  • California Users: California Attorney General
  • Other Jurisdictions: Relevant privacy or consumer protection authority

18.3 Dispute Resolution

Privacy disputes are subject to the dispute resolution provisions in our Terms of Service.

19. Transparency Report

We are committed to transparency about:

  • Government data requests
  • Content removal requests
  • Data breach incidents
  • Privacy policy changes

We publish an annual transparency report at [Link to transparency report].

Summary

We collect: Information you provide, usage data, and technical information
We use it for: Providing services, improving the Platform, and ensuring security
We share it with: Service providers (never sold), as required by law, or with your consent
You control: Your account, your data, and your privacy choices
We protect: Your information with industry-standard security measures
You can: Access, correct, delete, or export your data at any time

Acknowledgment

By using Federation 54, you acknowledge that:

  • You have read and understood this Privacy Policy
  • You consent to our collection and use of information as described
  • You understand your rights and how to exercise them
  • You can withdraw consent at any time

Thank you for trusting Federation 54 with your information. Your privacy matters to us.

Federation 54 - The Last Human Hub
Year 3080 AE - Your data, your story, your rights
Protecting explorers across the Near-Black Expanse