Privacy Policy

BookBeans is a writing app made and run by Ahmed El-Bourgy. This page explains, in plain language, what information BookBeans holds, why, and what you can do about it. It applies to this website and the app behind it.

The short version

Your manuscripts are yours. BookBeans stores what it needs to run your account and keep your writing safe, and nothing more. It does not sell your data, does not show ads, and does not read your manuscripts for any purpose other than providing the features you use.

What we collect

• Account details — your email address and a securely hashed password, so you can sign in. We never store your password in a readable form.
• Your content — the projects, chapters, characters, notes, timelines and other material you create, plus any images you upload. This is stored so the app can show it back to you and to anyone you explicitly share a project with.
• A little profile — an optional display name, avatar, and short bio you choose to add, visible to people you connect with.
• Operational data — basic technical records such as sign-in sessions and error logs, used to keep the service working and secure.
• Messages you send us — if you use the contact form, we receive your name, your message, and the email address you provide so we can reply.

Cookies

BookBeans uses a small number of strictly necessary cookies to keep you signed in and to protect your session. It does not use advertising or third-party tracking cookies.

How your information is used

• To provide the app: saving your work, signing you in, and running its features.
• To keep your account secure and to recover it (for example, password resets).
• To reply to you when you get in touch.
• To fix problems and improve reliability.

Who can see your work

By default, only you can see your projects. When you share a project with another member, the people you invite can see that project according to the role you give them. Optional profile details are visible to people you connect with. We do not make your manuscripts public.

Third parties

BookBeans relies on a few services to operate: a hosting provider and database to run the app, and an email provider to send account and contact emails. If you connect a Spotify playlist, that feature loads content from Spotify. AI-assisted features, where used, send the relevant text to the AI provider only for that request. These providers process data on our behalf and are not permitted to use your content for their own purposes.

Keeping your data

We keep your content for as long as your account is active. Deleted chapters can be restored from the trash for a limited window before removal. You can export your work at any time and can delete your account, which removes your personal data and content, subject to short retention needed for backups and security.

Your choices

• Export your writing at any time as Word, Markdown, EPUB, or PDF.
• Edit or remove your profile details from your account settings.
• Delete your account and your content.
• Ask a question about your data using the contact form.

Children

BookBeans is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the app grows. When we make a meaningful change, we will update the date at the top of this page.

Contact

For any privacy question, please reach out through the contact form on the home page. This policy is provided for transparency and does not, on its own, constitute legal advice.