Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 19, 2026
TextShelf LLC provides tools for collecting, reviewing, and deciding on documents and submissions. We have two products: the TextShelf web service at textshelf.com and the TextShelf app for Mac. This policy covers both. TextShelf LLC is located in Washington, DC.
A note before the details
The web service and the Mac app handle your data differently. On the web service, your files are uploaded to TextShelf's servers so reviewers can access them through a browser. In the Mac app, your files stay in your own iCloud Drive and TextShelf never receives a copy. We've tried to make each section below clear about which product it applies to.
What we collect — TextShelf web service (textshelf.com)
We collect an email address for each person who signs up for a TextShelf account, plus content (files, documents, images, text) that users upload to inboxes they participate in. We collect basic usage information needed to operate the service (e.g., which inboxes you belong to, when you signed in).
Payment information is handled by Stripe, a financial services company. TextShelf does not collect or store credit card information.
What we collect — TextShelf for Mac
The Mac app is designed to keep your work on your own devices and in your own iCloud account. TextShelf LLC collects no data through the Mac app — everything described below stays on your devices and in your own iCloud. Specifically:
- Documents and annotations stay in your iCloud Drive. Your shelves (the
.textshelfbundles), the PDFs inside them, and the annotations you make are stored in your iCloud Drive and synced between your devices by Apple. TextShelf LLC never receives copies of these files. - Sync metadata is stored in your personal CloudKit database. The app uses your Apple ID's private CloudKit container for sync coordination. Only you and the devices signed into your Apple ID can access this data. TextShelf LLC does not have access to it.
- No account, no sign-in. The Mac app has no TextShelf account. It never asks for an email address or a password, and it sends nothing to TextShelf LLC.
- Diagnostics. The Mac app does not include third-party analytics. Crash reports may be sent to Apple if you have opted into sharing diagnostics with developers in your macOS Privacy & Security settings; these reports come from Apple, not from us directly.
Who sees your information?
TextShelf will never sell, rent, or lease your email address or any content you submit to or store with our products.
On the web service: the owners and organizers of each TextShelf inbox can access the names, email addresses, and uploaded files of entrants submitting material to their specific inbox. For example, if you enter a play for a playwriting contest using TextShelf, the organizers of that contest can see your address and contact you with it.
In the Mac app: only you and the devices signed into your Apple ID can see your shelves, unless you explicitly share a shelf with someone else (planned for a future release). TextShelf LLC has no access to your shelves.
Third-party services we rely on
- Apple Inc. — iCloud Drive and CloudKit (used by the Mac app). Subject to Apple's privacy policy.
- Stripe, Inc. — payment processing for the web service. Subject to Stripe's privacy policy.
- Hosting and infrastructure providers for the web service, located in the United States.
How do we protect your files?
On the web service, documents are stored in private, secure storage located in the United States, accessible only to the program managers, reviewers they authorize, and TextShelf administrators when explicitly granted permission (for example, to troubleshoot a technical issue). When organizers declare a review process complete, submitted documents and related personal information are permanently deleted.
In the Mac app, your documents are protected by your iCloud account's security. You can also enable end-to-end encryption for sensitive fields in your shelves (planned for a future release). TextShelf LLC has no ability to decrypt content stored in your iCloud account.
Can TextShelf guarantee against unauthorized access to my content?
No. TextShelf follows recommended security practices to protect user information. Inbox owners, organizers, and reviewers must also take care to manage passwords and delete accessed files. Your account security depends in part on protecting your sign-in credentials and your Apple ID.
Children under the age of 13
TextShelf is not intended for children under the age of 13. If you are under 13, please do not provide any information to TextShelf.
Cookies and tracking
The TextShelf web service uses cookies only to deliver requested services (for example, keeping you signed in). We do not track you across other websites, and we do not pass cookies to third-party advertisers. The Mac app does not use third-party tracking.
Controlling and deleting your information
On the web service, you may delete your account and all submitted materials at any time under the "Account" tab. Note that account deletion will also delete any entries or applications you've made.
In the Mac app, your data lives in your own iCloud account. To delete it, remove the relevant .textshelf bundles from iCloud Drive and use iCloud settings to clear the app's CloudKit data. Uninstalling the app does not by itself remove your iCloud-stored data; you must remove it explicitly.
Policy updates
For important changes to this policy, registered users will be notified by email. No changes that reduce privacy rights on TextShelf will happen without user consent.
How to contact us
Write to us at admin@textshelf.com or via our contact form.
TextShelf LLC · 1025 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 615, Washington, DC 20036