Privacy Policy

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Personal Information

We collect the following types of personal information:

• Student Information: Name, class, roll number, date of birth, admission number, photograph, academic records, attendance records, examination results, homework assignments, and behavioral records.
• Parent/Guardian Information: Name, email address, phone number, residential address, relationship to student, and emergency contact details.
• Account Information: Username, password (encrypted), and login credentials.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, mobile network information.
• Usage Data: App features accessed, time spent on the app, interaction data, and crash reports.
• Log Data: IP address, access times, app version, and diagnostic information.

1.3 Communication Data

• Messages sent through the app between parents and teachers
• Notifications and announcements
• Feedback and support requests

1.4 Information We Do NOT Collect

• We do not collect financial or payment information (the app is free)
• We do not use facial recognition or biometric data

2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 Educational Services

• Provide access to student attendance records, academic performance, and examination results
• Display homework assignments and project deadlines
• Share school announcements, events, and notifications
• Facilitate communication between parents and teachers
• Track student progress and generate reports

2.2 App Functionality and Improvement

• Maintain and improve app performance and functionality
• Troubleshoot technical issues and fix bugs
• Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Develop new features and services

2.3 Communication

• Send important school updates and emergency notifications
• Respond to parent inquiries and support requests
• Notify parents about attendance issues, disciplinary matters, or academic concerns
• Share monthly attendance reports and progress updates

2.4 Safety and Security

• Verify user identity and prevent unauthorized access
• Detect and prevent fraudulent activities
• Protect against security threats and violations
• Comply with legal obligations and school policies

3. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

We respect your privacy and limit information sharing as follows:

3.1 Within the School

• Authorized school administrators and teachers have access to relevant student information
• Class teachers and subject teachers can view academic performance and attendance
• School counselors may access information for student support services

3.2 Service Providers

• Cloud hosting providers for secure data storage
• Technical support and maintenance service providers
• Push notification service providers
• Analytics providers (with anonymized data only)

All service providers are contractually obligated to maintain data confidentiality and security.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, such as:

• In response to valid legal process (court orders, subpoenas)
• To protect the rights, safety, or property of the school, students, or others
• To comply with regulatory authorities or government agencies
• In emergencies to protect the safety of any person

3.4 What We Do NOT Share

• We do NOT sell student or parent information to third parties
• We do NOT share data with advertisers or marketing companies
• We do NOT allow unauthorized access to student records
• We do NOT share information with other schools without consent

4. DATA SECURITY

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

4.1 Technical Security Measures

• Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on secure, encrypted servers
• Password Protection: User passwords are hashed and encrypted
• Firewall Protection: Network security measures prevent unauthorized access
• Regular Backups: Data is regularly backed up to prevent loss

4.2 Access Controls

• Role-based access restrictions for school staff
• Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Employee training on data protection and privacy

4.3 Your Responsibility

• Keep your login credentials confidential
• Use a strong, unique password for your account
• Do not share your account with others
• Log out after using the app on shared devices
• Report any security concerns immediately

Important: While we implement robust security measures, no system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of data transmitted over the internet.

5. DATA RETENTION

5.1 Retention Period

• Current Students: Student data is retained throughout their enrollment at GSAS Academy
• Former Students: Academic records are retained for 7 years after graduation or leaving the school, as required by educational regulations
• Communication Records: Messages and notifications are retained for 2 years
• Usage Data: Anonymized usage statistics may be retained indefinitely for analytical purposes

5.2 Data Deletion

• When a student leaves the school, parent access to the app is deactivated
• Personal information no longer needed for educational purposes is securely deleted
• You may request deletion of your account and associated data (see Section 8)

6. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

The GSAS Academy App is designed for parents and guardians to access their children's educational information. We are committed to protecting children's privacy in accordance with applicable laws.

6.1 Parental Consent

• The app is intended for use by parents/guardians only (18 years or older)
• By enrolling their child at GSAS Academy, parents consent to the collection and use of student information as described in this policy
• Students should not create their own accounts or access the parent app

6.2 Student Data Protection

• Student information is accessible only to authorized parents/guardians and school staff
• We do not use student data for advertising or marketing purposes
• We do not create behavioral profiles for commercial purposes
• Student data is used solely for educational and administrative purposes

6.3 COPPA Compliance (U.S. Users)

If you are located in the United States, we comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.

7. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

7.1 Third-Party Links

The app may contain links to third-party websites or resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

7.2 Third-Party Services Used

• Google Play Services: For app distribution and updates
• Firebase Cloud Messaging: For push notifications
• Cloud Storage Provider: For secure data hosting

These services have their own privacy policies and may collect information as described in their respective policies.

8. YOUR RIGHTS AND CHOICES

You have the following rights regarding your information:

8.1 Access and Correction

• You can view and update your profile information within the app
• You can request access to your child's complete educational records
• You can request correction of inaccurate information

8.2 Communication Preferences

• You can manage push notification settings in your device settings
• You can opt out of non-essential communications
• Note: You cannot opt out of important school announcements and emergency notifications

8.3 Account Deletion

• You may request deletion of your account by contacting the school office
• Account deletion will remove your access to the app
• Student academic records will be retained as per legal requirements even after account deletion

8.4 Data Portability

• You may request a copy of your child's data in a portable format
• Requests should be made in writing to the school administration

8.5 Withdraw Consent

• You may withdraw consent for certain data processing activities
• Note: Withdrawal may limit your ability to use certain app features
• Essential educational functions may require continued data processing

9. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Your information may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside your country of residence. By using the app, you consent to such transfers. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

• The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised
• Material changes will be notified through the app or via email
• Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
• We encourage you to review this policy periodically

11. GOVERNING LAW

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising from this policy or the app shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in [Your City/State], India.