In a shocking turn of events, the popular fiction analytics website Prosecraft has been shut down following an onslaught of criticism and outrage from authors.
The website, which was launched in 2014, allowed writers to track their writing progress, analyze their work and compare themselves to other authors. It was praised for giving authors the ability to measure their progress, as well as some insight into the writing habits of other experts.
However, Prosecraft drew the ire of many authors due to its privacy policies. Authors were required to upload their writing to use the site, meaning Prosecraft had the rights to collect data from authors that could be shared with third parties and used for marketing. This raised serious concerns about the security of authors’ data and intellectual property rights.
Authors also took issue with the way Prosecraft presented the data it collected. According to some, the website misrepresented the stats it presented, portraying authors’ work in a way that was more flattering to some and more critical of others.
This online backlash from authors eventually culminated in Prosecraft closing its doors. In a statement, the company confirmed the closure and said that it was “listening to authors’ concerns and ceasing operation.”
The closure of Prosecraft serves as a warning to other companies that try to capitalize on authors’ data. Authors are increasingly demanding to know more about how their data is used and are taking a more active role in calling out companies that fail to follow their privacy guidelines. Companies that want to survive in this new reality need to be more transparent and respectful of authors’ privacy.