1. Introduction

Collinear Learning, Inc. ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our AI-powered grading service. We understand the sensitive nature of educational data and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection and privacy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Name and contact information (email address, school affiliation)
• Account credentials and authentication information
• Professional information (school, teaching position, zip code)
• Payment and billing information (processed securely through third-party providers)

2.2 Educational Data

In providing our grading services, we may process:

• Student assignments, assessments, and submissions
• Grading rubrics and evaluation criteria
• Student performance data and feedback
• Classroom and assignment metadata

2.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Device information, IP address, and browser type
• Usage data and service interaction logs
• Performance metrics and error reports
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Providing and maintaining our AI-powered grading services
• Processing assignments and generating feedback
• Managing user accounts and authentication
• Improving our algorithms and service quality
• Providing customer support and technical assistance
• Sending service-related notifications and updates
• Ensuring security and preventing fraud
• Complying with legal obligations and educational regulations

4. FERPA Compliance and Educational Privacy

We are committed to complying with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable educational privacy laws:

• We act as a school official with legitimate educational interests when processing student data
• Student educational records are used solely for educational purposes
• We do not disclose personally identifiable information from education records without proper consent
• Parents and eligible students have rights to inspect and review educational records
• We maintain appropriate security measures for educational data
• Educational data is deleted or returned upon service termination

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our service, including:

• Cloud infrastructure and hosting providers
• Payment processing services
• Analytics and performance monitoring tools
• Customer support platforms

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes or government requests
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Prevent fraud or security threats
• Respond to emergencies involving personal safety

6. Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Employee training on data protection practices
• Incident response and breach notification procedures
• Compliance with industry security standards

While we strive to protect your information, no security measures are 100% effective. We encourage users to maintain strong passwords and report any suspected security incidents.

7. Data Retention

We retain information for the following periods:

• Account information: Until account deletion or as required by law
• Educational records: As directed by the educational institution or until service termination
• Usage data: Up to 3 years for service improvement purposes
• Security logs: Up to 1 year for security monitoring

Upon request or service termination, we will delete or return educational data according to institutional requirements and applicable laws.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
• Account Control: Update your account settings and preferences

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 12.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain user sessions and authentication
• Remember user preferences and settings
• Analyze service usage and performance
• Improve user experience and functionality

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences, though disabling certain cookies may limit service functionality.

10. Third-Party Services

Our service may integrate with third-party platforms and services. This Privacy Policy does not cover the privacy practices of third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use in connection with our platform.

11. Children's Privacy

Our service is designed for use by educators and educational institutions. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. When processing student educational records, we do so under the direction of educational institutions in compliance with FERPA and other applicable laws.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your own. We ensure that any international transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and include appropriate safeguards to protect your information.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify users of material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.

14. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

For urgent privacy concerns or data breach notifications, please contact us immediately at the above email address.