Personal Data & Retention
Learn about how your personal information is handled and how long your data is kept.
Data Security
Encrypted Communications
SMFans uses SSL/TLS encryption for all communications. Your information cannot be intercepted by third parties during transmission.
Credit Card Information
Credit card information is not stored by SMFans. It is securely processed by a payment processor that complies with PCI DSS (an international security standard).
Chat Privacy
Chat messages can only be seen by the sender and the recipient.
However, the platform may review message content in the following cases:
- When a report is filed
- When legally required by a disclosure order
- When moderation (content review) is necessary under the Terms of Service
Data After Account Deletion
If you delete your account, your personal information will be processed on the following schedule (see Article 6 of the Privacy Policy for details):
| Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Upon deletion | Your profile (display name, bio, avatar, cover image) is immediately anonymized. Identity verification documents (full name, date of birth, address, ID document images) are also immediately deleted. Chat messages are immediately deleted. Login is no longer possible after deletion |
| Permanently | Email address and phone number used for authentication (used only for matching to prevent re-registration) |
| 7 years | Transaction records (in accordance with retention obligations under the Income Tax Act and other applicable laws) |
Media from paid posts is retained after deletion to protect purchasers.
Why Are Transaction Records Kept for 7 Years?
Transaction records (purchases, top-ups, payouts) are required by law (Income Tax Act / Corporation Tax Act) to be retained for 7 years in a de-identified (anonymized) format.
Access to Deleted Content
When a creator or administrator deletes or suspends a post, the impact on your access depends on the situation.
| Scenario | Access |
|---|---|
| Creator deletes a post (you purchased it individually) | Still viewable |
| Creator deletes a post (you purchased the back issue) | Still viewable |
| Creator deletes a post (you were viewing it via a monthly plan) | No longer accessible |
| Creator withdraws (you purchased individually / back issue) | Still viewable |
| Creator withdraws (you were viewing via a monthly plan) | Viewable until the end of your paid period. After that, the subscription is automatically canceled |
| Creator deletes their plan (you are subscribed) | Viewable until the end of your paid period. After that, the subscription is automatically canceled |
| Administrator suspends a post | No longer accessible for any user |
| Administrator deletes a post (rule violation) | No longer accessible for any user (even if you purchased it) |
| Administrator suspends / deletes a creator (rule violation) | All access to that creator's posts is revoked (single purchases, back issues, and monthly plans) |
Requesting Disclosure or Deletion of Personal Information
Standard Method (Account Deletion)
When you complete the account deletion flow, your personal information is processed on the schedule above.
Individual Requests Before or After Deletion
To request disclosure, correction, or deletion of your personal information, please contact Support.
- We will respond within a reasonable period as required by law
- Information subject to legal retention obligations (such as transaction records) can only be anonymized, not fully deleted
- A fee of 500 JPY per request applies, in accordance with the Privacy Policy