Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At Character Coach, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and handle your personal information when you use our Service. We are committed to protecting your data and being transparent about our practices.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide and improve our Service:

• Account Information: Email address, name, and password when teachers create an account
• Educational Data: Quiz results, progress tracking, practice sessions, and learning analytics
• Classroom Information: For teachers, we collect class names, student names (provided by teachers), and assignment data you create
• Student Access: Students do not create accounts. They access learning activities through links shared by their teacher, and we only collect their name (provided by the teacher) and their learning progress data
• Usage Data: How you interact with our Service, including pages visited and features used, to improve our platform
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and cookies for security and functionality
• Payment Information: Processed securely through our payment provider (Lemon Squeezy); we do not store your credit card details

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information solely to provide and improve our educational services:

• To create and maintain your account
• To provide personalized learning experiences and track your progress
• To enable classroom management features for teachers
• To process subscription payments and send receipts
• To send important service updates and security notifications
• To respond to your support requests and questions
• To improve our Service through anonymized usage analytics
• To prevent fraud, abuse, and maintain security

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your data. Period.

We only share your information in these limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share specific information
• Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party services that help us operate:
  • Lemon Squeezy (payment processing)
  • Amazon Web Services (hosting)
  • Email service providers (transactional emails only)
  These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services we request.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Safety and Security: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Character Coach, our users, or the public

We will never share your educational records, student data, or personal information with advertisers or marketing companies.

5. Student Privacy and Educational Records

We prioritize student privacy with a simplified approach:

• No Student Accounts: Students do not create accounts or provide personal information directly to us. They access learning activities through secure links provided by their teacher
• Teacher-Managed Data: Teachers add student names to their class roster, and students access activities using these teacher-provided links
• Limited Data Collection: We only collect student names (provided by teachers) and learning progress data (quiz scores, practice results) to enable the educational experience
• Student progress and quiz data is private to their classroom and teacher
• We comply with educational privacy laws including FERPA and COPPA where applicable
• Student data is never used for advertising or marketing purposes
• Teachers control their classroom data and can export or delete it at any time
• Parents may request access to their child's educational records through their teacher

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS
• Passwords are securely hashed and never stored in plain text
• Our databases and servers are protected by firewalls and access controls
• We regularly monitor for security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access
• Employee access to user data is strictly limited on a need-to-know basis

While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to maintaining the highest standards.

7. Your Data Rights and Choices

You have control over your personal information:

• Access: View and download your personal data from your account settings
• Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete information at any time
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and personal data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Export: Download your classroom data and educational records
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails (service emails are required for account security)
• Cookies: Control cookie preferences through your browser settings

To exercise these rights, contact us at our support page or through your account settings.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary:

• Active Accounts: Data is retained while your account is active
• Inactive Accounts: May be automatically archived after extended inactivity
• Deleted Accounts: Personal data is deleted within 30 days of account deletion
• Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax records, fraud prevention)
• Anonymized Data: We may retain anonymized usage statistics indefinitely for research and improvement

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for login, security, and basic functionality
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our Service to improve it

We do not use third-party advertising cookies or sell your browsing data to advertisers. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling essential cookies may affect functionality.

10. International Data Transfers

Character Coach is operated by Chinese Buddy LLC (中文知音有限公司), based in Taiwan. Your data may be stored and processed in Taiwan or other countries where our service providers operate. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data wherever it is processed.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Service is designed for educational use and may be used by children under 13 with appropriate parental or teacher consent:

• No Student Accounts Required: Students do not create accounts. They access learning activities through links provided by their teacher, eliminating the need for children to provide personal information directly to us
• Teachers act as agents for schools and parents when adding student names to their class roster
• We only collect student names (provided by teachers) and learning progress data necessary for the educational experience
• We do not knowingly collect email addresses, passwords, or other personal identifiable information directly from children
• Parents may review and request deletion of their child's information by contacting their teacher or our support team

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Material changes will be communicated through:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on our website
• In-app notification for active users

The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. Continued use of our Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us: