Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 29, 2026
Last updated: July 29, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how AO3CN.org (“AO3CN,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores and shares information when you visit or interact with this website.

AO3CN.org is an independent informational website. It is not operated by, affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Archive of Our Own or the Organization for Transformative Works.

By using AO3CN.org, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy. Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before using non-essential cookies or processing information for personalised advertising.

Information We Collect

We may collect information that you provide directly and information collected automatically when you use the website.

Information You Provide

You may voluntarily provide information when you:

• Send us an email or contact request;
• Submit a correction, suggestion or other message;
• Subscribe to an email newsletter, if offered;
• Respond to a survey or questionnaire;
• Submit a comment, if comments are enabled; or
• Communicate with us through another available feature.

This information may include your name, email address, message content and any other information you choose to provide.

Please do not send passwords, authentication codes, private account credentials, financial information or other sensitive personal information through this website.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit AO3CN.org, our servers and third-party service providers may automatically collect certain technical and usage information, including:

• Your Internet Protocol address;
• Browser type and browser version;
• Device type and operating system;
• General geographic location derived from your IP address;
• Language and time-zone settings;
• Referring and exit pages;
• Pages viewed and links selected;
• Date, time and duration of visits;
• Advertising identifiers and cookie identifiers;
• Interaction with advertisements and website features; and
• Diagnostic, security and performance information.

We generally use this information in an aggregated or pseudonymous form. We do not intentionally use it to identify you personally unless necessary for security, fraud prevention, legal compliance or responding to your request.

How We Use Information

We may use collected information to:

• Operate, maintain and improve AO3CN.org;
• Present content in a suitable format for your device;
• Understand how visitors use the website;
• Measure traffic, performance and engagement;
• Respond to enquiries, corrections and support requests;
• Display and measure advertising;
• Limit repeated advertisements;
• Provide personalised advertising where permitted and consented to;
• Detect spam, fraud, abuse and security threats;
• Comply with legal obligations; and
• Protect our rights, users and services.

Legal Bases for Processing

Where the General Data Protection Regulation, UK GDPR or similar law applies, we process personal information using one or more of the following legal bases:

• Consent: You have consented to a specific use, such as non-essential cookies or personalised advertising.
• Legitimate interests: Processing is reasonably necessary to operate, secure, analyse and improve the website, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Contractual necessity: Processing is needed to provide a service or respond to a request you initiated.
• Legal obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with applicable law, legal process or regulatory requirements.

You may withdraw consent at any time through the cookie-preference controls provided on the website. Withdrawal does not affect processing that occurred before consent was withdrawn.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

AO3CN.org and its service providers may use cookies, local storage, pixels, tags, software development kits, web beacons and similar technologies.

A cookie is a small text file stored on your browser or device. Cookies may be session cookies, which expire when you close your browser, or persistent cookies, which remain until they expire or are deleted.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies help the website function, maintain security, remember privacy choices and prevent fraudulent activity. The website may not operate correctly without them.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand traffic, page views, referral sources, website performance and how visitors interact with content.

Advertising Cookies

Advertising cookies and similar identifiers may be used to display advertisements, measure ad performance, prevent repeated ads, detect invalid traffic and, where permitted, provide advertising based on interests or previous browsing activity.

Preference Cookies

Preference cookies may remember settings such as language, display preferences and consent selections.

Cookie Consent and Controls

Visitors in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, Switzerland and other jurisdictions where consent is required may be shown a consent-management platform before non-essential cookies are placed.

You may be able to:

• Accept all cookies;
• Reject non-essential cookies;
• Select particular purposes or vendors;
• Withdraw consent; or
• Change your preferences later through the “Privacy Choices,” “Cookie Settings” or similar link displayed on the website.

You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect website features, but rejecting personalised advertising does not necessarily prevent advertisements from being displayed. You may instead receive contextual or non-personalised advertisements.

Google AdSense and Google Advertising

AO3CN.org may use Google AdSense or other Google advertising services to display advertisements.

Third-party vendors, including Google, may use cookies to serve advertisements based on a visitor’s previous visits to AO3CN.org or other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables Google and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this website and other websites on the Internet.

Google and other advertising providers may place and read cookies on your browser or use web beacons, IP addresses and similar identifiers to collect information as a result of advertising being served on AO3CN.org.

Information automatically transmitted to Google may include the page URL, IP address, browser information, device information and advertising identifiers. Google may use this information to provide and improve services, measure advertising, prevent fraud and abuse, and personalise content or advertising where permitted.

You can learn how Google uses information from partner websites here:

How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services

You can manage personalised advertising through:

Google Ads Settings

You may also learn about advertising choices through:

• Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tools
• Network Advertising Initiative opt-out tools
• Your Online Choices for European users

Third-Party Advertising Networks

In addition to Google, AO3CN.org may work with other advertising networks, demand partners, exchanges, analytics providers and advertising-technology vendors.

These companies may use cookies, pixels, web beacons, IP addresses, device identifiers and similar technologies to:

• Deliver and measure advertisements;
• Estimate unique visitors and advertisement frequency;
• Prevent fraud and invalid traffic;
• Provide contextual advertisements;
• Create or use interest-based advertising segments where legally permitted;
• Measure conversions and campaign performance; and
• Improve advertising services.

The advertising partners used on the website may change. Where required, the current list of advertising-technology vendors and their processing purposes will be available through our consent-management platform.

Mediavine Programmatic Advertising

AO3CN.org may work with Mediavine to manage third-party programmatic advertising displayed on the website.

If Mediavine advertising is active, Mediavine and its advertising partners may use first-party and third-party cookies, tags, pixels, web beacons and similar technologies to deliver, personalise, limit, measure and optimise advertisements.

Information processed in connection with Mediavine advertising may include:

• IP address;
• Operating-system type and version;
• Device type;
• Browser type;
• Website language;
• Cookie and advertising identifiers;
• General geolocation information;
• Referral and traffic information;
• Interactions with advertisements and websites; and
• An email address in hashed form, but only where such a feature is used and legally permitted.

Mediavine advertising partners may combine pseudonymous information collected through this website with information independently collected from other websites, applications, browsers or devices for interest-based advertising where permitted by applicable law and your consent choices.

Rejecting personalised advertising does not mean that you will stop seeing advertisements. Non-personalised or contextual advertisements may continue to appear.

For information about Mediavine’s advertising partners and their privacy practices, visit:

Mediavine Advertising Partners

Important publisher note: If AO3CN.org is accepted into Mediavine, the website owner must replace or supplement this section with the exact current Mediavine privacy-policy language supplied in the Mediavine dashboard. Mediavine checks the required heading, version number and text automatically, and its required language may change.

Google Analytics

AO3CN.org may use Google Analytics to understand website traffic and usage.

Google Analytics may collect information such as your IP address, device information, browser type, approximate geographic location, pages visited, events performed, referral source and time spent on the website.

We may use consent controls, data-retention settings and IP-related privacy features made available by Google. Analytics information is generally used in aggregated form to understand and improve website performance.

You can learn more about Google’s privacy practices at:

Google Privacy Policy

You may also use the following browser add-on:

Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Affiliate Links

AO3CN.org may include affiliate links. If you follow an affiliate link and complete a purchase or other qualifying action, we may receive a commission without increasing the price you pay.

Affiliate networks and merchants may use cookies or similar technologies to record referrals, attribute transactions, prevent fraud and calculate commissions. Their processing is governed by their own privacy policies.

Affiliate relationships do not influence our privacy rights disclosures. Material affiliate relationships will be disclosed where required.

Embedded Content and External Services

Pages may include embedded or linked content from third-party services, such as video providers, social-media platforms, status services or other websites.

Embedded content may behave as though you visited the third-party website directly. Those providers may collect information, use cookies and track interaction with embedded material, particularly if you are signed into an account with that provider.

Possible third-party services may include:

• YouTube or other video services;
• Tumblr;
• Bluesky;
• Social-sharing services;
• Website-status services;
• Content-delivery networks;
• Security and anti-spam providers; and
• Hosting, caching and performance services.

AO3CN.org does not control third-party privacy practices. Review the relevant provider’s privacy policy before supplying personal information.

Server Logs, Hosting and Security

Our hosting, caching, security and content-delivery providers may collect server-log information, including IP addresses, browser details, requested URLs, timestamps and security events.

This information may be processed to:

• Deliver website content;
• Maintain system availability;
• Prevent malicious traffic;
• Investigate security events;
• Detect automated abuse; and
• Comply with legal obligations.

Comments and Public Submissions

If AO3CN.org permits comments or public submissions, information you publish may become publicly visible. This may include your chosen display name, comment text, publication time and profile information.

Do not publish personal information that you do not want others to see. We may use automated anti-spam services that process IP addresses, browser information and submitted content.

Email Communications

If you contact us by email, we may retain your address, message and related correspondence to respond, maintain records, prevent abuse or comply with legal obligations.

If we offer marketing emails or newsletters, they will include an unsubscribe mechanism. Transactional or administrative messages may still be sent where necessary.

When We Share Information

We may share information with:

• Hosting, analytics, security and technical-service providers;
• Advertising networks and advertising-technology partners;
• Consent-management providers;
• Affiliate networks and merchants;
• Professional advisers, such as lawyers or accountants;
• Government authorities when legally required; and
• A successor entity in connection with a merger, transfer, reorganisation or sale of website assets.

We may also share aggregated or de-identified information that does not reasonably identify an individual.

We do not sell personal information for money. Certain personalised-advertising activities may, however, be legally defined as “selling,” “sharing” or “targeted advertising” under some US state privacy laws. Eligible users may opt out as explained below.

International Data Transfers

AO3CN.org may be accessed worldwide. Our providers may process information in countries other than the country where you live, including the United States.

Where required, transfers may be supported by recognised safeguards such as standard contractual clauses, adequacy decisions or other lawful transfer mechanisms.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including legal, accounting, security and dispute-resolution requirements.

Retention periods vary according to the nature of the information:

• Contact correspondence may be retained while necessary to resolve the enquiry and maintain appropriate records;
• Server and security logs may be retained for operational and fraud-prevention purposes;
• Analytics information is retained according to the settings of the analytics provider;
• Advertising data is retained by advertising providers according to their policies; and
• Consent records may be retained to demonstrate compliance with legal obligations.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Request access to personal information held about you;
• Request correction of inaccurate information;
• Request deletion of certain information;
• Request restriction of processing;
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests;
• Withdraw consent;
• Receive certain information in a portable format;
• Opt out of targeted advertising;
• Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information as those terms are defined by applicable law;
• Limit certain uses of sensitive personal information;
• Appeal a decision concerning a privacy request; and
• Complain to an appropriate data-protection authority.

These rights are not absolute and may be subject to legal exceptions. We may need to verify your identity before completing a request.

European Economic Area, United Kingdom and Switzerland

Residents of the European Economic Area, United Kingdom and Switzerland may have rights under the GDPR, UK GDPR or related privacy laws.

You may submit a request using the contact details at the end of this policy. You may also lodge a complaint with the data-protection authority in your country of residence, place of work or location of the alleged infringement.

California Privacy Rights

California residents may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act.

Subject to applicable thresholds and exceptions, these rights may include:

• The right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected;
• The right to know the categories of sources, purposes and recipients;
• The right to request correction or deletion;
• The right to opt out of sale or sharing;
• The right to limit certain uses of sensitive personal information; and
• The right not to receive discriminatory treatment for exercising privacy rights.

We do not knowingly sell personal information for money. Advertising cookies and cross-context behavioural advertising may be considered “sharing” under California law. Where applicable, you may opt out through the website’s “Your Privacy Choices,” “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information,” or cookie-preference link.

We do not knowingly sell or share the personal information of consumers under 16 years of age.

Other United States Privacy Rights

Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and other states with applicable comprehensive privacy laws may have rights concerning access, correction, deletion, portability, targeted advertising, sale and profiling.

Available rights and definitions vary by state. Eligible users may exercise applicable rights through the contact method below or the website’s privacy-choice controls.

Global Privacy Control

Where legally required and technically supported, our consent-management platform may recognise Global Privacy Control signals as a request to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information or targeted advertising.

You may learn more about Global Privacy Control at:

Global Privacy Control

Children’s Privacy

AO3CN.org is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13.

Some jurisdictions apply a higher age threshold for valid consent. Where required, users below the applicable age should use the website only with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us, contact us so that we can investigate and delete it where appropriate.

Content Intended for Mature Audiences

AO3CN.org may discuss fan-created works, content classifications and external resources that cover a wide range of themes. Some referenced material may not be suitable for all audiences.

AO3CN.org does not use information about a visitor’s interest in potentially sensitive or mature subject matter to create personalised advertising profiles.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical and organisational measures intended to protect information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, and you provide information at your own risk.

Do Not Track

Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” signals. Because there is no universally accepted technical standard for responding to these signals, the website may not respond to all Do Not Track requests.

Where applicable, we may recognise legally required opt-out signals such as Global Privacy Control.

External Links

AO3CN.org contains links to websites and services operated by third parties. We are not responsible for their content, availability, security or privacy practices.

Visiting an external website is subject to that provider’s own privacy policy and terms.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the website, advertising providers, analytics tools, legal requirements or business practices.

The revised policy will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. Material changes may also be communicated through a prominent website notice or consent interface where required.

Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise an applicable privacy right, contact:

Website: AO3CN.org
Email: [email protected]
Subject line: Privacy Request

Please describe your request clearly and identify the country or US state where you live. Do not send identity documents unless specifically requested through a secure verification process.

Independent Website Disclaimer

AO3CN.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with, operated by, sponsored by or endorsed by Archive of Our Own or the Organization for Transformative Works.

Privacy enquiries concerning AO3CN.org should be sent to [email protected]. Questions concerning an unrelated third-party website must be sent directly to that website’s operator.