Privacy | QuickShort Utilities

Privacy Policy – QuickShort Ltd (v2.0)

Effective Date: February 24, 2025
Last Updated: May 4, 2025
Applies To: QuickShort Utilities apps, website, AI services, APIs, and associated products.
Contact: info@quickshort.co.uk | https://quickshort.co.uk

1. Who We Are

QuickShort Ltd ("we", "us", "our") is a registered company in the United Kingdom developing utility-focused software for audio, video, image, and AI-powered content workflows. This Privacy Policy applies to all of our platforms, including desktop applications (e.g., QuickShort Audio, QuickShort Audio ToolBox, QuickShort PictureBox, DropPoint), web properties, APIs, integrations, and support channels.

We are committed to lawful, transparent, and responsible data handling under the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, EU GDPR, and applicable international standards (e.g., CCPA, ePrivacy).

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to personal data we collect:

Directly through our apps and website.
Through email and customer support.
Via integrations (e.g., Apple, OpenAI, DistroKid, etc.).
From marketing or affiliate partners.
Through legacy services developed since 2023, including early alpha/beta versions of QuickShort Audio.

It covers past, present, and future processing of personal data in connection with QuickShort Ltd services.

3. Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data:

A. Data You Provide Voluntarily

Account Details: name, email, username, password (hashed), preferences.
Billing Data: purchase ID, pricing tier, App Store receipt data (no card/payment details stored).
Support Interactions: emails, feedback, helpdesk messages, audio/video bug reports.
Consent Records: checkboxes, cookie logs, and opt-in timestamps.

B. Data We Collect Automatically

Device Data: OS, device type, app version, language settings, region.
Usage Metrics: feature engagement, file types used, frequency of use.
Crash Logs: diagnostics, exceptions, performance telemetry.
Cookies & Pixels (on the website): IP address, session data, analytics.

C. Data We Receive from Third Parties

Apple/Google Play: Purchase verification and refund eligibility.
Analytics Tools: Aggregated behavioral data (e.g., Google Analytics, Plausible).
AI Engines: Anonymized prompts for AI track naming, mastering, or artwork features.
API Integrations: Metadata exchanged with platforms like YouTube, DistroKid, and SoundCloud (when connected through DropPoint).

4. Historical Data and Legacy Use

For transparency, we note that:

Between 2023–2024, QuickShort operated under alpha testing with manually collected beta tester data (names/emails/feedback).
In 2024, we began offering in-app AI features which processed anonymized input for track naming and mastering using OpenAI and local AI models.
All past data was handled securely and was never sold, transferred, or exploited for external marketing.

If you participated in early versions of our tools, your data was protected under the same principles outlined here.

5. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data to:

Provide, operate, and improve our apps.
Deliver purchased features and verify App Store entitlements.
Power AI tools, name suggestions, mastering presets, or artwork generation.
Send important notices (e.g., service changes, downtime).
Respond to support requests.
Ensure legal compliance and monitor abuse.
Develop and test future tools (e.g., watchOS apps, API platforms).

We may also use aggregated and anonymized data for statistical, benchmarking, or development purposes.

6. Legal Bases for Processing

Under the UK GDPR and EU GDPR, our legal justifications include:

Consent: For optional features, newsletters, cookies.
Contractual Necessity: To provide services you request.
Legal Obligation: Comply with tax, fraud, or consumer protection laws.
Legitimate Interests: Internal analytics, improving UX, protecting our platform.

You can withdraw consent at any time.

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal data. We only share it with:

Service providers under strict contracts (e.g., OpenAI, Apple, AWS, analytics partners).
Payment processors (e.g., Apple/Google) – we never store your payment card data.
Legal entities if required by law, subpoena, or enforcement action.
API platforms you choose to connect (e.g., YouTube, SoundCloud, DistroKid via DropPoint).
Affiliated brands (e.g., Tranquil Soul Music, The Instrumental Collective) — only with explicit consent.

8. International Transfers

Your data may be stored or processed outside your jurisdiction. When this happens:

We use data centers with strong encryption, e.g., EU, UK, or US-based providers.
Transfers to the US are covered by Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or UK Addendum where required.

9. Data Retention

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary:

Data TypeRetention PeriodAccount & PurchaseUntil account deletion or 7 years (for tax compliance)Support Logs2 yearsAnalytics Data14–36 months (aggregated)AI Prompt DataDeleted within 30 days unless opted in for model improvementConsent Records5 years

You can request deletion at any time via info@quickshort.co.uk.

10. Security Measures

We protect your data using:

AES encryption at rest, TLS in transit
Role-based access controls
Secure infrastructure (AWS, Cloudflare, or equivalent)
Regular audits and logs
Data minimization by design

11. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access and export your data.
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Erase personal data (“right to be forgotten”).
Object to or restrict processing.
Withdraw consent.
Lodge complaints with the ICO (UK) or your local data authority.

To exercise these rights, email: info@quickshort.co.uk

12. AI, Automation, and Profiling

Some features (like naming, mastering, artwork) use AI. We:

Only use anonymized or non-identifiable input.
Do not train models on your private data without consent.
Do not use AI to make decisions with legal or financial impact.
Allow opt-outs from AI-based personalization.

Profiling may occur to improve recommendations, but never for advertising.

13. Cookies & Consent Management

We use cookies to:

Track website usage.
Enable essential functionality.
Personalize experiences (with your consent).

You can manage settings at:
https://quickshort.co.uk/cookie-settings

14. Children’s Privacy

QuickShort Utilities is not intended for users under 13 (or 16 in the EU). We do not knowingly collect data from minors. If you believe your child has shared data, contact us for immediate deletion.

15. Marketing and Communications

We may send:

Transactional messages (always).
Product updates or newsletters (with opt-in consent).
You can unsubscribe anytime via footer links or settings.

We do not share marketing lists with third parties.

16. Future Integrations and API Policy

With upcoming products like DropPoint and QuickShort APIs, users will be able to:

Connect to third-party platforms.
Automate distribution workflows.

Data exchanged via integrations will be governed by OAuth or API token policies, and always subject to opt-in consent.

17. Changes to This Policy

We will notify you of material changes via:

In-app announcements
Email (if you’ve subscribed)
Website update logs

The latest version is always available at:
https://quickshort.co.uk/privacy

18. California & Global Notices

For California (CCPA/CPRA)

You may request:

Access to data collected in the past 12 months.
Deletion of your data.
A statement of how your data is used.

We do not sell personal data and do not track users for behavioral ads.

For International Users

We comply with data privacy frameworks including:

UK GDPR
EU GDPR
ePrivacy
CCPA
PIPEDA (Canada)
PDPA (Singapore, planned)

19. Contact Us

QuickShort Ltd
📧 info@quickshort.co.uk
🌐 https://quickshort.co.uk