Your data, explained

Privacy policy

Last updated: 8 September 2026

Celestials FZC LLC, a Dubai-based company, operates ascii.cafe and is responsible for the personal information described here. For privacy questions or requests, email support@ascii.cafe.

1. Media you work with

Normal image, video, webcam and screen-share processing takes place in your browser. We do not automatically upload your source files or local exports. Camera and screen sharing require your browser's permission. Stop sharing through the editor or browser controls.

Loading media from a URL makes a request to that media's host, which receives connection information such as your IP address. External links and embedded content can also contact their respective providers and are governed by those providers' privacy practices.

2. Optional gallery submissions

If you explicitly submit a creation, we receive its preview, playable creation data, title, credit name, optional credit link, submission time and permission record. If the submitted creation includes an embedded source asset, that file and its metadata are uploaded too and may become publicly accessible when featured. These are uploaded for review. Approved creations and the credit you supply may be published on the site and used as described in the submission permission and terms. Submission is optional and separate from exporting locally.

Vercel Blob stores submitted creation files, and our Upstash-backed data store holds submission and moderation records. Submitted data remains until removed through moderation or a request we can fulfil; it does not currently have an automatic deletion period. Contact us to request removal. Public copies made by others are outside our control.

3. Newsletter and support

When you subscribe, we process your email address to send the creative newsletter and seasonal offers you requested. Our mailing service processes the subscription and email delivery. Unsubscribe using the link in an email, or contact support. We retain your subscription while you remain subscribed; a limited suppression record may be kept to honour an unsubscribe.

If you contact support, we process the contact details, messages and order references you provide to respond and resolve your request. Do not send passwords, full card details or private source media unless needed and specifically requested.

4. Purchases and license activation

Polar handles checkout as merchant of record. It processes payment, billing and transaction information under its privacy policy. We receive information needed to supply and support your purchase. We do not receive your full payment-card details through the editor.

The browser stores your license key, activation identifier and entitlement information. License validation and activation send the key and relevant device/activation information to Polar. Removing browser storage can remove locally remembered activation details; it does not cancel a subscription.

5. Cookies, storage and optional measurement

Essential browser storage remembers your privacy choice and supports requested functions such as saved editor settings, presets and license activation. Restricted administration uses a session cookie for authentication. You can clear browser storage in your browser settings, but doing so may reset settings and require reactivation.

Google Analytics and Vercel Speed Insights are blocked until you accept optional measurement. Google Analytics uses cookies to measure visits, feature use and outcomes such as exports or checkout starts. It processes technical information such as browser/device information and IP-derived location. Our event payloads exclude email addresses, license keys, source media and full workspace query strings. Advertising personalization and Google signals are disabled.

Vercel Speed Insights measures loading and responsiveness. Our integration removes query strings and fragments from reported page URLs. We place it behind the same optional choice, even though it does not use analytics cookies.

We remember your choice for up to 180 days. Analytics cookies are configured with a maximum lifetime of 180 days without renewal on each visit. Cookie lifetime is separate from the retention of reports by providers. You can reject optional measurement without losing editor access. Changing your choice to reject stops future measurement from our integrations and removes accessible Google Analytics cookies; it does not automatically erase reports already collected.

Cookie settings

6. Hosting and security

Our hosting and infrastructure providers process connection and operational data such as IP addresses, request information and errors to deliver and protect the service. We use short-lived request counters to limit abuse. Newsletter rate limiting uses an in-memory IP counter; gallery rate limiting uses a hashed IP identifier with a daily expiry. Hashing does not necessarily make data anonymous.

7. Why we process information and who receives it

Where a legal basis is required, we rely on consent for newsletters and optional measurement, performance of a contract for paid features and related support, legitimate interests for proportionate security and service operation, and legal obligations for required records. Optional gallery publication relies on the permission you provide. You may withdraw consent without affecting the lawfulness of earlier processing.

We share information with providers needed for hosting, storage, email delivery, payments and measurement, and where legally required with authorities or advisers. We do not sell your personal information. Providers may process data outside your country, including in the United States. Where required, transfers must use applicable legal safeguards such as adequacy decisions or contractual protections. Contact us for details relevant to your information.

8. Retention and your rights

Local editor information remains on your device until cleared or replaced. Purchase and support records are retained as needed to provide the service, resolve disputes and meet legal recordkeeping requirements. Infrastructure logs and measurement records follow the relevant service retention settings. Contact us for the retention details applicable to a particular record.

Depending on applicable law, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability or object to processing. You may withdraw consent and complain to your local data protection authority. Email support@ascii.cafe; we may ask for proportionate verification before acting. Some information must be retained for legal reasons.

9. Children and policy updates

The service is not directed at children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information without appropriate permission, contact us so we can investigate and remove it where required. We update this page when our practices change and provide additional notice where required.