Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 4, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains what information FreeRoot.io collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. FreeRoot.io is a technology platform connecting authors and readers — we collect only what is needed to operate your storefront, fulfill orders, and process payments.

1. Information We Collect From Readers

When you purchase a book, we collect:

• Name, email address, and phone number
• Shipping address, for print orders
• Order details, such as titles purchased and any personalization/dedication text

We do not collect or store your card number, expiration date, or CVV. Payment is processed entirely by Stripe; FreeRoot.io never sees or stores your raw payment details.

2. Information We Collect From Authors

To create an author storefront, we collect:

• Legal name, pen name, bio, contact information, and mailing address
• Publishing history, credentials, publisher, and literary agent details
• Book metadata (titles, ISBNs, genres, pricing, formats) and the interior/cover files you upload
• Tax identification information (SSN, EIN, or ITIN) required to issue IRS Form 1099-NEC for earnings over $600/year
• Your electronic signature on the Author Services Agreement

Bank account details for payouts are collected and stored directly by Stripe Connect. FreeRoot.io never sees or stores your banking credentials.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process orders, payments, and author payouts
• Fulfill and ship print-on-demand books
• Operate and display your public author storefront
• Communicate with you about orders, applications, and account activity
• Meet our legal and tax reporting obligations

We do not sell, rent, or use reader or author data for third-party advertising.

4. Third-Party Service Providers

We share information with the following service providers, solely to operate the platform:

• Stripe — payment processing and author payouts
• Supabase — secure database hosting for account, order, and book data
• Our print-on-demand fulfillment partner — receives the shipping address and files needed to print and ship physical orders

Each provider is contractually obligated to protect your data and may only use it to provide services to FreeRoot.io.

5. Cookies & Tracking

FreeRoot.io does not use third-party advertising or analytics trackers. We use browser session storage only to carry state between pages during checkout and author onboarding (for example, to remember that your payout account was connected). This data stays in your browser and is not used to track you across other sites.

6. Data Retention

We retain order and account records for as long as needed to comply with tax, accounting, and legal obligations, and to maintain your author storefront while your account is active. You may request deletion of your account data at any time, subject to records we are legally required to keep.

7. Your Rights

You may request to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you by contacting us. Authors may also update most account information directly from their dashboard.

8. Children's Privacy

FreeRoot.io is not directed at individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by an updated "Last updated" date above.

10. Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Contact us at hello@freeroot.io.