Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 27, 2026 · Applies to shortshq.com

ShortsHQ is operated by Taciturn Studios LLC.

1. Who we are

ShortsHQ is an AI-assisted short-form video workspace operated at shortshq.com. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information when you visit the site, create an account, or use our tools. Questions about this policy can be sent through our contact form.

2. Information we collect

Account data — name, email address, credentials, and how you heard about us when you register or sign in, including magic-link sign-in.
Campaign and content data — URLs, brand assets, scripts, and generated media you submit or create.
Usage data — pages viewed, features used, and generation counts used to operate the product and enforce plan limits.
Payment data — billing is processed by Stripe. We store a Stripe customer identifier and do not store card numbers or CVV.
Device and log data — IP address, browser type, and basic diagnostic logs needed to secure and operate the site.

3. How we use information

To provide, secure, and improve ShortsHQ, including generating drafts you request.
To process subscriptions, trials, and receipts.
To send transactional email such as sign-in links and billing notices.
To measure aggregate site traffic and understand which public pages are used.
To show advertising on public pages through Google AdSense, as described below.
To comply with law and prevent abuse.

4. Advertising and Google AdSense

Public pages on shortshq.com may display third-party advertisements served by Google AdSense (publisher ID ca-pub-1051825252184436). Google and its partners may use cookies, advertising IDs, and similar technologies to show ads, measure ad performance, and limit how often you see an ad. These technologies can collect information about your visits to this site and other sites. Google's use of advertising cookies is described in Google's advertising policies.

You can opt out of personalized Google ads at adssettings.google.com or visit aboutads.info/choices. Declining non-essential cookies on this site does not stop every ad, but it is the control we provide for our own non-essential cookies.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and local storage for the following purposes:

Essential — a session cookie (app_session_id) keeps you signed in. These are required for the logged-in product.
Preferences — local storage remembers your cookie choice so we do not keep asking after you accept or decline.
Analytics — Google Analytics measures aggregate visits to public pages.
Advertising — if you accept cookies, Google AdSense and its partners may set advertising cookies to serve and measure ads on content pages.

A cookie preference banner appears after you scroll on public pages. You can accept or decline non-essential cookies there, or review this section at /privacy#cookies. Visiting /cookies or /cookie-policy brings you here.

6. How we share information

We do not sell personal information. We share data only with service providers that help operate ShortsHQ:

Stripe — payment processing.
Amazon S3 — storage of uploaded and generated files.
Google Analytics — aggregate traffic measurement.
Google AdSense — advertising on public pages.
Google (YouTube API Services) — only if you connect a YouTube channel, and only to upload or schedule videos you confirm. See the YouTube API Services section below.
TikTok — only if you connect a TikTok account, and only to post videos you confirm. See the TikTok section below.
AI and email vendors — process prompts, generated media, or transactional messages you trigger. They receive only what is needed to complete the request.

7. Data retention

We keep account and campaign data while your account is active. If you delete your account, we remove associated personal data within 30 days unless a longer period is required by law, fraud prevention, or accounting rules.

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to withdraw consent. To make a request, use the contact form. We will respond within a reasonable period and no later than required by applicable law.

9. Children's privacy

ShortsHQ is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us through the form linked above so we can delete it.

10. Security

We use TLS in transit, access controls, and industry-standard storage protections. No internet transmission is completely secure. Use a unique password and keep sign-in links private.

11. Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated date at the top of this page will change when we do. Continued use of shortshq.com after a material update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Connected accounts: YouTube and TikTok

YouTube API Services

ShortsHQ uses YouTube API Services to let you upload videos you create in ShortsHQ to your own YouTube channel. By connecting YouTube, you agree to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service. The Google Privacy Policy also applies.

When you connect YouTube, we request permission to upload videos (youtube.upload) and to read your basic channel information (youtube.readonly) so we can show which channel is connected. We store your channel ID, your channel name, and an encrypted OAuth token. We use the token only to upload videos you ask us to publish and to confirm the connected channel. We record the upload result (video ID, time, status). We do not read your other videos, comments, analytics, or subscribers. We do not sell YouTube data, share it with third parties, or use it for advertising.

You can disconnect YouTube at any time from Connected accounts in ShortsHQ, which deletes the stored token right away. You can also revoke ShortsHQ's access at https://myaccount.google.com/permissions or at https://security.google.com/settings/security/permissions. After you disconnect or revoke access, we delete stored YouTube data within 30 days, except for records the law requires us to keep.

ShortsHQ's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

TikTok

When you connect TikTok, ShortsHQ uses TikTok Login Kit and the Content Posting API with the scopes user.info.basic, video.upload, and video.publish. We store your TikTok open ID, display name, avatar URL, and an encrypted access token. We use them only to show which account is connected, to read your posting options (such as the privacy levels available to you), and to post the videos you choose, with the settings you choose. We do not sell or share TikTok data, and we do not use it for advertising. TikTok's privacy policy is at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy.

You can disconnect TikTok in ShortsHQ at any time, and you can remove ShortsHQ's access in the TikTok app under Settings and privacy, Security, Manage app permissions. We delete stored TikTok tokens when you disconnect, and related data within 30 days. To delete the rest of your ShortsHQ data, use the data deletion page.

12. Contact

Privacy questions and deletion requests: support@shortshq.com, or the contact form. We aim to respond within 5 business days.