Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

The Shorts Studio ("we", "our", "us") is an AI-powered short-form video automation platform operated by Swarit Apale. We use YouTube API Services to upload videos to your YouTube channel on your behalf. Our contact email is support@theshortsstudio.com.

2. YouTube API Services

The Shorts Studio uses the YouTube API Services (provided by Google LLC) to connect your YouTube channel and upload AI-generated videos. By using these features you are also subject to the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy.

Through the YouTube API we access and store the following data on your behalf:

• Channel identity — channel name, channel ID, subscriber count, and total view count (used to display your channel stats in the dashboard).
• OAuth credentials — access token and refresh token (stored server-side, never exposed to the browser) used to upload videos and refresh channel stats.
• Uploaded video metadata — video ID, title, and upload status returned by YouTube after each upload (stored so you can track and manage your video queue).

We do not access your YouTube inbox, comments, playlists, subscriptions, or any data beyond what is listed above. You can revoke our access at any time via your Google Account permissions page.

3. Other Information We Collect

• Account data — email address and display name used to create your account.
• Usage data — videos generated, settings chosen, niche preferences, autopilot schedules.
• Payment data — processed by Razorpay. We never store raw card numbers.
• Log data — IP address, browser type, pages visited, error logs — for security and debugging.
• Device storage — we use browser localStorage to store your session state and UI preferences locally on your device. We also use PostHog analytics (cookie-gated) to understand how users interact with the app.

4. How We Use Your Data

• To generate AI scripts, voiceovers, and videos and upload them to your YouTube channel using the YouTube API.
• To display your channel name, subscriber count, and video stats in the dashboard (fetched via the YouTube API).
• To personalise your comment card (username, profile picture, verified tick).
• To enforce plan limits and process subscription payments.
• To send transactional emails (upload confirmations, payment receipts).
• To improve the product through aggregated, anonymised analytics.

YouTube API Data (OAuth tokens and channel metadata) is used solely to provide the upload and channel-stats features. We do not use it for advertising, profiling, or any purpose beyond operating the service.

5. Data Sharing & Cross-Border Transfers

We do not sell or rent your data. We share data only with:

• Google / YouTube (USA) — YouTube API Services for video uploads and channel data. Subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Firebase for authentication and database hosting.
• Render (USA) — application server hosting.
• ElevenLabs (USA) — text-to-speech generation (script text only, no PII).
• DeepSeek (China) — AI script generation (channel niche and topic keywords only; no personally identifiable information is transmitted).
• Razorpay (India) — payment processing.
• Resend (USA) — transactional email delivery.
• PostHog (USA) — product analytics (anonymised usage events, cookie-gated).

As permitted under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, we transfer personal data to countries not restricted by the Government of India. We take reasonable steps to ensure third-party processors maintain adequate data protection standards.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. Generated video files are stored for 30 days then automatically deleted. YouTube OAuth tokens are refreshed automatically when they expire and are deleted when you disconnect your YouTube account or delete your account. You may request full account deletion at any time by emailing us.

7. Your Rights

Under applicable law, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India), you have the right to:

• Access — know what personal data we hold about you.
• Correction — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure — delete your account and all associated data at any time from within the app (Settings → Delete Account), or by emailing us.
• Withdraw consent — stop using the service and request full data deletion at any time.
• Revoke YouTube access — revoke our access to your YouTube account at any time via your Google Account permissions page.
• Nominate — nominate another person to exercise these rights on your behalf in the event of your death or incapacity.

To exercise any of these rights, email support@theshortsstudio.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Cookies & Local Storage

We use the following storage technologies:

• Session cookies — set by Firebase Authentication to keep you logged in. These are strictly necessary and cannot be disabled without preventing login.
• Browser localStorage — used to store your session state and UI preferences (e.g. selected tab, onboarding step) locally on your device. This data never leaves your browser.
• PostHog analytics — we use PostHog to collect anonymised product analytics (e.g. which features are used, error rates). PostHog may set its own cookies. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can opt out of PostHog analytics by contacting us.

We do not use third-party advertising cookies or cross-site tracking cookies.

9. Security

Data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest (Firebase and our hosting infrastructure). OAuth tokens are stored server-side and never exposed to the browser.

10. Age Restriction

The Shorts Studio is intended for users aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you are under 18, you are not permitted to use this service. If we become aware that a user under 18 has provided personal data, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a minor has signed up, please contact us at support@theshortsstudio.com.

11. Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or by displaying a notice in the service before the changes take effect. Continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Grievance Officer — DPDP Act 2023

In accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India), we have designated a Grievance Officer to address concerns about the processing of your personal data.

Name: Swarit Apale
Designation: Founder & Grievance Officer, The Shorts Studio
Email: support@theshortsstudio.com
Response time: We will acknowledge your grievance within 48 hours and resolve it within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint to the Data Protection Board of India once it is constituted under the DPDP Act, 2023.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, how we handle your data, or your rights as a data subject, please contact us:

The Shorts Studio
Email: support@theshortsstudio.com
Website: theshortsstudio.com

Terms of Service

1. Acceptance

By creating a The Shorts Studio account or using any part of the service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the service.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter a binding agreement. By signing up, you confirm that you meet this requirement. Business accounts must be authorised by the account owner.

3. Your Account

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use.

4. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use The Shorts Studio to produce content that is illegal, defamatory, hateful, sexually explicit, or violates any third-party rights.
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, scrape, or overload our systems.
• Resell access to the service without our written consent.
• Violate YouTube's Terms of Service or Community Guidelines.

5. Content Ownership

You own all videos generated through your account. You grant us a limited licence to store and process your content solely to provide the service. We do not claim any ownership over your channel or generated videos.

6. Subscriptions & Billing

• Paid plans are billed monthly in advance.
• All prices are in INR (Indian Rupees) unless otherwise stated.
• You may cancel at any time; access continues until the end of the billing period.
• Refunds are available within 7 days of a new subscription if no videos have been generated.
• We reserve the right to change pricing with 30 days' notice.

7. Trial Plan

New users receive a 7-day free trial with full access to all Starter plan features. No credit card is required during the trial. After the trial ends, a paid subscription is required to continue generating videos.

8. Service Availability

We aim for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted service. We are not liable for losses arising from downtime, errors in generated content, or third-party service outages (YouTube API, ElevenLabs, etc.).

9. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account for material breach of these Terms. You may delete your account at any time. Upon termination, generated video files are deleted within 30 days.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Shorts Studio's total liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the 3 months preceding the claim. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Mumbai, India, unless prohibited by local law.

12. YouTube Platform Compliance

The Shorts Studio uses YouTube API Services to connect your YouTube channel and upload videos on your behalf. By connecting your YouTube account or using any upload feature, you agree to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service. You must also comply with all YouTube Community Guidelines and applicable policies, which may change at any time.

The Shorts Studio is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in partnership with YouTube or Google LLC. You are solely responsible for ensuring that all content uploaded to your YouTube channel complies with YouTube's Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, and all applicable policies.

The Shorts Studio is not liable for channel terminations, demonetisation, copyright strikes, removal of content, suspension of YouTube API access, or any other action taken by YouTube against your channel or account. By enabling autopilot or using the upload feature, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

The Shorts Studio automatically includes an AI-content disclosure in all uploaded video descriptions as required by YouTube policy. You must not remove or alter this disclosure.

13. AI-Generated Content

All scripts, voiceovers, and videos produced by The Shorts Studio are generated using artificial intelligence. The Shorts Studio does not guarantee the accuracy, originality, or legality of AI-generated content. You have the right to review content before it is published and are encouraged to do so. You are responsible for any claims arising from content uploaded to your channel.

AI-generated content is not prohibited from YouTube monetisation. The Shorts Studio is designed to maximise your chances of eligibility by generating unique scripts for every video and including required AI disclosures. However, The Shorts Studio does not guarantee that your channel will be accepted into the YouTube Partner Programme or that any video will remain monetised. YouTube reviews channels manually and applies its own criteria, which may change at any time. Monetisation outcomes depend on factors including but not limited to watch time, content quality, audience engagement, and YouTube's policies at the time of review.

14. Changes

We may update these Terms. Continued use after notice constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.