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Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 6, 2026

Overview

BookJourney is a small, open-source space for reading together in a way that feels comfortable and low-pressure. We collect only the minimum data needed to make the app work, and we try to give you a clear choice between staying anonymous and connecting a persistent account later. We do not sell, share, or monetize your data.

What we collect

Anonymous usage

You can use BookJourney anonymously. Anonymous access does not require Discord login, a Discord account, or a Discord ID.

  • A temporary guest name generated for your session
  • A temporary guest avatar generated for your session
  • The session activity you create while using the app

This anonymous option exists to support privacy, control, and comfort in community reading spaces.

Optional Discord connection

Discord is no longer the main login method. It is an optional connection for people who want a persistent identity, and users connect it by choice.

  • Your Discord username and display name
  • Your Discord profile picture URL
  • A Discord account identifier used to recognize your connected account across sessions

We do not receive your password, server memberships, messages, or any other Discord data beyond the fields above.

Session data (created by you)

  • Book title, author name, session title, and synopsis you enter when creating a session
  • Session passcode (stored as a one-way hash; we cannot read the original)
  • Queue positions and reading status
  • Words and phrases you save during a reading session

Push notification subscription (optional)

  • A browser-generated push endpoint and encryption keys
  • Used only to send you turn notifications
  • You can revoke this at any time from the session room or your browser settings

What we do NOT collect

  • Passwords
  • IP addresses or device fingerprints
  • Browsing history or analytics events
  • Discord server memberships, messages, or activity
  • Any data from Discord beyond what is listed above

What we store

  • Anonymous users: a temporary guest name, a temporary guest avatar, and the session data created while using the app
  • Connected Discord accounts: username, display name, avatar URL, and a Discord account identifier for persistent account recognition
  • Session data: book info, queue positions, words you save
  • Never stored: email, password, IP address, server memberships, messages

Your privacy choices and control

Privacy on BookJourney is built around choice. You can stay anonymous, or you can connect Discord later if you want your account to persist across sessions.

If you stay anonymous, your account remains temporary. If you choose to connect Discord under Connections, that account is no longer considered anonymous.

We keep this distinction clear because different readers want different levels of privacy and continuity. Some prefer to join quietly and casually. Others want a stable identity they can keep over time. BookJourney is designed to support both.

How data is used

Your data is used only to operate BookJourney: showing your chosen or generated identity in sessions, managing reading queues, keeping your session state consistent, and sending turn notifications if you opt in.

Data retention and automatic deletion

  • Ended sessions and all their data (queue, words, participants) are automatically deleted 7 days after the session ends.
  • Hosts can manually delete a session at any time from the dashboard; this instantly removes all associated data.
  • Push notification subscriptions are deleted when you disable notifications or sign out.
  • Your profile persists as long as you have a persistent account. It is deleted when that account is removed.
  • Guest sessions are temporary and all of their data is deleted immediately when you sign out.
  • If you choose to connect Discord, that account is no longer treated as anonymous and is no longer deleted on sign out as a guest session would be.
  • Accounts that remain inactive for 14 consecutive days are automatically deleted with their associated profile data.

Delete your data

You can delete your account instantly from Settings → Danger Zone → Delete my account. This removes your profile, all session participations, queue items, saved words, and push subscriptions. If you are a host, the role is transferred to another participant or the session is ended.

Alternatively, to request manual deletion open an issue on our GitHub issue tracker or email quetrea@hotmail.com. We will process deletion within 7 days.

Third-party services

Convex

Our backend and database provider. All data is stored on Convex infrastructure. See Convex's Privacy Policy.

Discord

Used only when you choose to connect Discord for a persistent account. We request only the identify scope. This gives us your username, display name, and avatar. We do not request your email address or any other Discord data. See Discord's Privacy Policy.

Web Push (browser native)

Turn notifications are delivered through your browser's built-in push infrastructure (for example, Google FCM for Chrome). We do not control this infrastructure and only send the notification payload.

Open source

BookJourney is fully open source. You can review exactly what data is collected and how it is handled in the source code on GitHub.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, the “Last updated” date above will be updated. We will not make changes that reduce your privacy without a clear notice.

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