WebNovel

"Device identifiers: device number, IMEI ID, device ID, ICCID, Android ID, IDFV, and advertisement identifiers (e.g., ADID, GAID, PPID, and IDFA); Network information: IP address, Mac address, Bluetooth address, and DHCP; Device parameter information (including hardware and software): device screen information, device brand and model information, system version, knobs, network information, network operator, resolution, date and time, time zone, country/region, language, network status, signal strength, disk/memory capacity, CPU information, device name, battery status and power, browser information."

WebNovel collects an extremely broad range of device data including IMEI, MAC address, Bluetooth address, battery status, CPU info, disk/memory capacity, and signal strength — far beyond what a reading app requires for core functionality.

"Location Information: We will automatically collect your approximate geographical location information, mainly inferred from your IP address. ... We may share your advertisement information, device information, location information, and speculation information to our advertisement partners."

WebNovel automatically collects location data from all users (including visitors without accounts) and shares it with advertising partners for personalized ads.

"We will automatically collect your advertisement identifiers (e.g., ADID, GAID, PPID, and IDFA), IP address, and records related to your interaction with advertisement on our platform. Additionally, we may generate privacy protected identifiers such as Rampid or UID2 using your telephone number or email. These identifies help us display advertisements, including personalized advertisements, within our Services."

WebNovel generates cross-platform tracking identifiers (RampID, UID2) from users' phone numbers or emails, enabling identity resolution and tracking across services and devices beyond their own platform.

"We may share your personal data with our parent company, subsidiaries, and affiliates to provide and improve our services, conduct business operations, and ensure consistent service delivery across our platforms. ... We may share your advertisement information, device information, location information, and speculation information to our advertisement partners (including advertisers, advertisement service providers, advertisement evaluation companies, and other partners)."

WebNovel shares user data broadly across its corporate group (parent company Yuewen/Tencent Literature subsidiaries) and with advertising partners, with vague justifications like 'business operations' and 'consistent service delivery.'

"We reserve the right to update or modify this Policy periodically. We will notify you of any changes through appropriate means, including in-app notifications or pop-up messages, to ensure you are promptly informed of Privacy Policy modifications. For material changes involving the purposes, methods, or categories of personal data processing, we will seek your renewed consent as required by applicable data protection laws."

WebNovel can change the privacy policy at any time, with renewed consent only sought for material changes and only where 'required by applicable data protection laws' — meaning in many jurisdictions, continued use constitutes acceptance of new terms.

"Please note that all personal data you provide when using our products or services will remain authorized for our use during your usage (except for information obtained under 'I.B.7. To Ensure Security of Our Services,' which will be deleted six months after collection), unless you delete it or refuse our collection through system settings. We will delete or anonymize your personal data after we can no longer retain such information, except if we are required to keep it by applicable laws, regulations or court orders."

WebNovel retains all personal data indefinitely for as long as a user has an account, with no specific timelines for deletion. The 'no longer retain' standard is vague and self-determined by WebNovel.

"You can contact us to request deactivation of your account. After verifying your identity and clearing any assets in your account, we will provide you with the account deactivation service. Once your account is deactivated, we will cease providing you with our products or services and, upon your request, delete your personal data, except as otherwise required by law."

Account deletion requires contacting support for identity verification and 'clearing any assets,' creating friction. The website has no self-service deletion — only the mobile app has a direct path. Data deletion after deactivation requires a separate explicit request.