Privacy Policy
This privacy policy describes how TeaNovel collects, uses, and protects your data when you use our web application and Chrome browser extension.
Introduction
TeaNovel (read.teanovel.com) is an AI-powered translation platform for Chinese web novels. The service includes a web application and a Chrome browser extension. It is operated by the TeaNovel Team.
Data We Collect
Account Information
When you create an account, we collect:
- Email address (for registration and login)
- Display name
- Profile image (optional, via OAuth providers)
- OAuth provider identifiers (Google, Discord, Twitter/X) if you choose to sign in with those services
Translation Data
When you use the translation service, we store:
- Novel metadata (title, author, source URL, cover image)
- Chapter text content imported from supported platforms
- Translation output generated by AI models
- Reading progress and bookmarks
- Custom terminology entries
Usage Data
We collect limited usage data to improve the service:
- Pages visited within the application
- Feature usage patterns
- Error logs (via Sentry for debugging)
Browser Extension Data
The Chrome extension activates only on TeaNovel services and the supported Chinese novel platforms below.
| Platform | Domain | Status |
|---|---|---|
| JJWXC | jjwxc.net, jjwxc.com | Available |
| Qidian | qidian.com | Available |
| QDMM | qdmm.com | Available |
| Fanqie | fanqienovel.com | Available |
| Qimao | qimao.com | Available |
| Zongheng / Huayu | zongheng.com | Available |
| SFACG | book.sfacg.com | Free chapters only |
Data extracted from these sites (when supported):
- Novel metadata (title, author, cover)
- Chapter lists
- Chapter text content
- Visible chapter images or rendered glyph images, only when OCR is required
- The source URL needed to identify the novel or chapter
The extension first uses readable page text or a verified local font mapping. When a supported chapter is visible but its text cannot be recovered deterministically, choosing Translate Chapter may send a private image of the visible chapter content to TeaNovel for OCR. Login pages, locked chapters, captcha pages, app-only pages, incomplete captures, and unverified access stop before OCR.
Source text and OCR images are used only to provide the translation feature requested by the user. They are not included in analytics events, sold, or used for advertising.
Chrome Extension Permissions
The extension requests the following permissions:
API Permissions
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
storage | Store user preferences and reading progress locally on your device |
activeTab | Read page content on the active tab to extract novel text for translation |
tabs | Open TeaNovel Reader and user-initiated background chapter tabs needed for import and recovery |
cookies | Observe TeaNovel session-cookie changes so the extension can update sign-in state; the cookie value is not read or transmitted |
scripting | Read an already-visible Qimao Canvas state in the page's main JavaScript world after access is verified |
Host Permissions
| Domain | Purpose |
|---|---|
*.teanovel.com/* | Connect to TeaNovel's reader, API, and authentication services |
| Supported novel domains listed above | Identify and collect only the novel or chapter selected by the user |
us.i.posthog.com/* | Send restricted product events that exclude novel content, OCR images, full source URLs, account identifiers, and authentication data |
How We Use Your Data
We use the data we collect to:
- Provide AI-powered translation services
- Recover visible chapter text with OCR only when the selected source format requires it
- Store your translation history and reading progress across devices
- Improve translation quality through terminology management
- Send transactional emails (email verification, password reset)
- Monitor application health and fix errors
We do not sell your data or use it for advertising purposes.
Data Storage and Security
Where Your Data Is Stored
- Application hosting: Vercel
- Database: Neon PostgreSQL with encrypted connections
- Cache and background delivery: Upstash Redis and QStash
- Public media files: Cloudflare R2 for covers and user-requested exports
- Private OCR files: A separate non-public Cloudflare R2 bucket with no public URL
Private OCR jobs, source images, and intermediate OCR results use a default 24-hour expiry and are eligible for earlier cleanup after completion or terminal failure. A storage lifecycle rule provides an additional deletion backstop. Translation text and account data remain available while the account is active, subject to account deletion and operational backup requirements.
Security Measures
- All connections encrypted via TLS/HTTPS
- Passwords hashed using scrypt (via Better Auth)
- Session cookies set with httpOnly, secure, and SameSite=Lax flags
- Regular security updates and monitoring
Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services:
| Service | Purpose | Data Shared |
|---|---|---|
| Vercel | Application hosting and AI Gateway | Service requests; selected translation text is routed to the configured AI model provider |
| Neon | Managed PostgreSQL | Account, library, translation, billing-state, and operational records |
| Upstash | Redis cache and QStash background delivery | Short-lived cache data and opaque workflow identifiers; private OCR queues contain opaque job IDs rather than images or chapter text |
| Google, DeepSeek, and OpenAI | AI models selected through Vercel AI Gateway | Text needed for translation, metadata translation, terminology, or quality workflows |
| Zhipu AI (GLM-OCR) | Primary page OCR | Private visible-chapter images that require page OCR |
| Tencent Cloud OCR | Glyph OCR and optional page-result verification | Private glyph or page images that require OCR |
| Baidu OCR | Temporary compatibility OCR for previously released extension versions | Private glyph images submitted through the authenticated legacy compatibility route |
| Cloudflare R2 | Public and private object storage | Novel covers, user-requested exports, and short-lived private OCR files |
| PostHog | Restricted product analytics | Product events without novel content, OCR images, full source URLs, account identifiers, or authentication data |
| Sentry | Error tracking | Privacy-filtered error and diagnostic data; novel content and OCR payloads are excluded |
| Stripe | Payment processing | Email, subscription status |
| Resend | Transactional email | Email address |
| Google OAuth | Authentication | Email, name, profile image |
| Discord OAuth | Authentication | Email, name, avatar |
| Twitter/X OAuth | Authentication | Email, name, profile image |
We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any other advertising or tracking services.
Data Retention
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Account data | While your account is active |
| Translation data | While your account is active |
| Private OCR jobs, images, and intermediate results | Up to 24 hours by default; earlier cleanup may apply |
| Error logs | According to the configured Sentry retention period |
| Restricted product analytics | According to the configured PostHog retention period |
Account Deletion
When you delete your account:
- All personal data is scheduled for deletion
- All translations and associated data are removed
- Deletion is completed within 30 days
You can delete your account via Settings > Delete Account.
Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your data:
- Access: View all your data in your account dashboard at any time
- Export: Download your translations in TXT or EPUB format (available on Pro plan)
- Deletion: Delete your account and all associated data via Settings
- Correction: Update your profile information at any time
Cookies and Sessions
We use cookies for authentication only:
- Type: Session cookies (httpOnly, secure, SameSite=Lax)
- Domain:
.teanovel.com(shared across subdomains) - Purpose: Keep you logged in
We do not use:
- Third-party advertising cookies
- Cookies for personalized advertising or cross-site ad targeting
- Google Analytics
Chrome Web Store Limited Use
TeaNovel limits extension user data to providing or improving the extension's single purpose: translating Chinese novel content that the user chooses to process. TeaNovel does not sell extension user data, use it for personalized advertising, or transfer it except as necessary to provide the translation service, protect the service, comply with law, or complete a transaction permitted by the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy.
TeaNovel does not permit humans to read private novel content except with the user's explicit consent for a specific support request, when necessary for security or abuse investigation, or when required by law. Operational analytics use restricted events that exclude novel content and private OCR payloads.
TeaNovel's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs will adhere to the Chrome Web Store User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
Children's Privacy
TeaNovel is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When we make material changes:
- We will notify you via email or in-app notification
- The "Last updated" date at the bottom of this page will change
- Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy or our data practices:
- Email: support@teanovel.com
- Website: https://read.teanovel.com
Last updated: September 3, 2026