iNERDE INC. ("iNERDE," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and the privacy of the children we serve. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information when you use our websites at www.inerde.org and academy.inerde.org (the "Sites") and the iNERDE Academy digital learning platform (the "Platform"), including all related services and features (collectively, the "Services").

Who is iNERDE?
iNERDE INC. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 46-3177885) dedicated to inspiring and empowering African youth through STEM education. We're based in Massachusetts, USA, and serve students across Africa and beyond.

Our Commitment to Privacy
We take privacy seriously, especially when it comes to children. We comply with:

- The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) principles

- Applicable African data protection laws

- Education industry best practices

By using our Services, you accept this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. If you don't agree with this Privacy Policy, please don't use our Services.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Important Information for Parents and Guardians

2.Information We Collect

3.How We Collect Information

4.How We Use Your Information

5.How We Share Your Information

6.Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

7.Student Educational Records (FERPA)

8.Cookies and Tracking Technologies

9.Data Security

10.Data Retention

11.Your Privacy Rights and Choices

12.International Data Transfers

13.Third-Party Services and Links

14.Changes to This Privacy Policy

15.Contact Us

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

1.1 We Protect Children's Privacy

If you are a parent or legal guardian of a child under 13, this section is especially important for you. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.

1.2 What Parents Should Know

Before Your Child Uses iNERDE:

- We require your consent to collect information from children under 13

- You can review, modify, or delete your child's information at any time

- You can refuse to allow further collection of your child's information

- We will not require children to provide more information than is reasonably necessary

What We Collect from Children:

- Basic account information (name, age/grade, username)

- Educational progress data (assignments, quiz scores, learning activities)

- User-generated content (projects, posts, messages)

- Technical information (device type, browser, IP address)

What We DON'T Collect from Children:

- Social Security numbers

- Precise geolocation data

- Photographs of children (unless voluntarily uploaded with consent)

- Information beyond what's needed for educational purposes

1.3 Parental Rights Under COPPA

As a parent or guardian, you have the right to:

- Review your child's personal information

- Request deletion of your child's personal information

- Refuse further collection or use of your child's information

- Consent to collection and use of your child's information without consenting to disclosure to third parties (subject to certain exceptions)

To exercise these rights, contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: iNERDE INC., PO Box 783 | Stoughton, MA 02072 | United States

1.4 How We Obtain Parental Consent

For children under 13, we obtain verifiable parental consent through one of these methods:

- Parent-created accounts: Parents create accounts on behalf of their children

- Consent forms: Parents complete and submit electronic or written consent forms

- Email verification: Parents provide consent via email with additional verification steps

- Payment verification: For paid programs, payment information serves as verification

- We maintain records of parental consent and will provide you with a copy upon request.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We collect different types of information depending on how you use our Services and whether you're a student, parent, teacher, or facilitator.

2.1 Personal Information

"Personal Information" means information that can identify you individually. This includes:

For Students:

Account Information: Full name, username, email address (for students 13+), date of birth or age/grade level

Parent Information: Parent/guardian name and email address (for students under 13)

Educational Information: Grade level, school (if applicable), program enrollment, learning tier (BeeGinner, BeeCurious, BeeNovator, BeeYond)

Academic Records: Assignment submissions, quiz results, test scores, course progress, mastery levels

User Content: Projects, posts, forum discussions, messages, uploaded files, creative work

Progress Data: NerdyCoins earned, XP points, badges, tier advancement, learning streaks

Interaction Data: Sira AI tutor conversations, questions asked, topics explored

For Parents/Guardians:

Account Information: Name, email address, phone number (optional), relationship to student

Payment Information: Payment method details (if enrolling in paid programs)

Communication Records: Messages with facilitators, teachers, or iNERDE staff

For Teachers and Facilitators:

Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, organization/school affiliation

Professional Information: Teaching credentials, experience level, training certifications

Activity Data: Lesson plans created, classes managed, student interactions, Sira Pro usage

Content Created: Saved lesson plans, quizzes, teaching materials in "My Library"

2.2 Non-Personal Information

"Non-Personal Information" means information that cannot identify you individually. This includes:

- Aggregated usage statistics (number of users, popular features, etc.)

- Anonymous demographics (age ranges, geographic regions without identifying individuals)

- Device information (type of device, operating system, browser type)

- General usage patterns (time spent on platform, features used)

2.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information when you use our Services:

- Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version

- Log Data: IP address, date and time of access, pages viewed, actions taken

- Performance Data: Load times, errors encountered, feature usage

- Cookies and Similar Technologies: See Section 8 for details

2.4 Information We DON'T Collect

We do NOT collect:

- Social Security numbers or national ID numbers

- Financial account information (except as needed for payment processing, handled securely by third parties)

- Precise GPS location data

- Biometric data

- Health or medical information

- Political opinions or religious beliefs

- Information about sexual orientation or gender identity

- More information from children than is reasonably necessary for participation

3. HOW WE COLLECT INFORMATION

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

Most information we collect is provided directly by you when you:

- Create an account or register for programs

- Complete your profile

- Upload assignments, projects, or other content

- Participate in forums or send messages

- Contact us for support

- Respond to surveys or feedback requests

- Interact with Sira or Sira Pro (our AI tutors)

- Make payments for programs

3.2 Information from Parents/Guardians

For children under 13, we collect information from parents/guardians when they:

- Create accounts on behalf of their children

- Provide consent for their child's use of the Platform

- Update their child's information

- Communicate with us about their child

3.3 Information Collected Automatically

We automatically collect certain information through technology, including:

- Cookies: Small text files stored on your device (see Section 8)

- Log files: Records of your activity on our Services

- Analytics tools: Usage patterns and feature performance

- Session data: Information about your interactions during a visit

3.4 Information from Third Parties

In limited circumstances, we may receive information from:

- Schools or Educational Institutions: If your school partners with iNERDE, they may provide roster information with proper consent

- Payment Processors: Confirmation of payments (but not your payment details)

- Corporate Sponsors: For sponsored programs, limited information about program participants

- Government Partners: For government-sponsored programs (e.g., UNESCO partnerships)

- We only accept such information if it was collected with appropriate consent.

3.5 Information from AI Interactions

When you interact with Sira (student AI tutor) or Sira Pro (teacher AI assistant):

- Student Interactions: Questions asked, topics explored, problems solved, feedback provided

- Teacher Interactions: Lesson plans requested, quizzes generated, content saved to "My Library"

- Context Data: Grade level, current course, previous topics studied (to personalize responses)

- Important: We do NOT share personally identifiable student information with external AI providers. AI interactions are anonymized and use only necessary educational context.

4. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use your information to provide, improve, and protect our educational services. Here's how:

4.1 To Provide Educational Services

Account Management: Create and maintain your account, authenticate your identity

Course Delivery: Provide access to courses, lessons, and learning materials

Progress Tracking: Monitor learning progress, track mastery, award NerdyCoins and XP

Personalized Learning: Adapt content to your grade level, tier, and learning pace

AI Tutoring: Enable Sira to provide personalized tutoring and Sira Pro to assist teachers

Collaboration: Enable features like forums, messaging, and group projects

Assessments: Administer quizzes, grade assignments, provide feedback

4.2 To Communicate with You

Service Communications: Send account notifications, assignment reminders, progress reports

Educational Updates: Share new courses, features, and learning opportunities

Support: Respond to questions, provide technical assistance, resolve issues

Parent Reports: Send progress updates to parents/guardians (for minor students)

Program Information: Share details about enrolled programs and activities

Note: For students under 13, most communications go to parents/guardians.

4.3 To Improve Our Services

Analytics: Understand how users interact with our Services to improve design and features

Research: Conduct educational research to enhance curriculum and teaching methods

Quality Assurance: Monitor service performance, identify and fix technical issues

User Feedback: Collect and analyze feedback to make improvements

AI Improvement: Use aggregated, anonymized data to improve AI tutor responses

Important: We use only aggregated, de-identified data for research and improvement. Individual students are never identified in research or analytics.

4.4 To Ensure Safety and Security

Security: Protect against unauthorized access, fraud, and abuse

Content Moderation: Review user-generated content for safety and appropriateness

Policy Enforcement: Enforce our Terms of Use and Community Guidelines

Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests

4.5 To Process Payments

Payment Processing: Process payments for paid programs (handled by secure third-party processors)

Financial Records: Maintain records for accounting and tax purposes

Refund Management: Handle payment transfers or disputes (per our no-refund policy)

4.6 With Parental Consent

For children under 13, we will not use their information for purposes beyond those to which parents consented without obtaining additional parental consent.

5. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

We are committed to protecting your privacy. We do NOT sell, rent, or trade personal information. We share information only in the limited circumstances described below:

5.1 Within the iNERDE Learning Community

With Teachers and Facilitators:

- Students' names, progress data, and assignment submissions are visible to their assigned teachers and facilitators

- This is necessary to provide educational services and feedback

With Other Students (Limited):

- Profile information you choose to share (username, profile picture if uploaded)

- Content you post in forums or group projects

Note: We encourage privacy settings and moderate content to protect student safety

With Parents/Guardians:

- Parents have access to their child's account, progress, and activity (for students under 18)

5.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our Services, including:

- Hosting Providers: To store data securely (e.g., cloud servers)

- Payment Processors: To process payments securely (they do not store your payment details on our servers)

- Email Services: To send notifications and communications

- Analytics Tools: To understand usage and improve services (using anonymized data)

- AI Providers: To power Sira and Sira Pro (with anonymized, de-identified data only)

- Security Services: To protect against threats and ensure platform security

Important Protections:

- Service providers are contractually required to protect your information

- They can only use information as needed to perform services for us

- They cannot use your information for their own purposes

- For AI providers, we do NOT send personally identifiable student information

5.3 With Partner Organizations

For sponsored programs, we may share limited information with:

- Corporate Sponsors: (e.g., Dell Technologies) - aggregated program data, not individual student data

- Educational Institutions: If your school partners with iNERDE, with proper consent

- UNESCO and Government Partners: For government-sponsored programs, as required by program agreements

- Nonprofit Partners: Organizations that help deliver programs (e.g., Sci-Bono Discovery Centre)

We share only the minimum information necessary and require partners to protect privacy.

5.4 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose information if required by law or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to:

- Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests

- Enforce our Terms of Use or other policies

- Protect the rights, property, or safety of iNERDE, our users, or the public

- Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues

- Respond to claims that content violates rights of third parties

- Protect against harm to children

5.5 Business Transfers

If iNERDE is involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our Sites before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5.6 With Your Consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent. For children under 13, we will obtain parental consent before sharing information beyond the uses described in this Privacy Policy.

5.7 Aggregated and De-Identified Data

We may share aggregated, de-identified, or anonymous data that cannot identify individuals, including:

- Statistical reports about program impact and student outcomes

- Research findings about educational effectiveness

- Usage trends and analytics

This type of data sharing helps us demonstrate impact to funders and improve education broadly.

6. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY (COPPA COMPLIANCE)

6.1 Our Commitment to COPPA

iNERDE complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We understand that protecting children's privacy requires special care and attention.

6.2 Age Verification

We use age gates during registration to identify users under 13. If a user indicates they are under 13, we:

- Prevent account creation until parental consent is obtained

- Require a parent/guardian to create the account

- Limit data collection to only what's necessary for educational services

6.3 Parental Consent Methods

We obtain verifiable parental consent through:

- Parent-Created Accounts: Parent registers and creates child's account

- Email Plus: Consent email with follow-up verification

- Consent Forms: Signed electronic or paper forms

- Payment Verification: For paid programs, payment serves as verification

6.4 What We Collect from Children Under 13

With parental consent, we collect:

- Registration: Name, username, age/grade, parent email

- Educational Use: Assignment submissions, quiz responses, learning progress

- Platform Use: Technical data (device type, browser), usage patterns

- Communications: Messages to teachers (moderated), forum posts (moderated)

- AI Interactions: Questions to Sira (for tutoring, not for marketing)

6.5 What We DON'T Collect from Children

We do NOT collect from children:

- Precise geolocation beyond general geographic area

- Social Security numbers or government IDs

- Contact information for marketing purposes

- Photos or videos (except if voluntarily uploaded with clear parental consent)

- More information than reasonably necessary for educational participation

6.6 How We Use Children's Information

We use children's information only for:

- Providing educational services

- Tracking academic progress

- Communicating with parents about their child

- Ensuring platform safety

- Improving educational content (using de-identified data)

We do NOT use children's information for:

- Marketing or advertising

- Building behavioral profiles for commercial purposes

- Sharing with third parties for their marketing

6.7 Parental Rights

Parents of children under 13 can:

- Review their child's personal information

- Request deletion of their child's information

- Refuse further collection of their child's information

- Revoke consent at any time

To exercise these rights:

- Log into your parent account dashboard

Email us at [email protected]

Write to us at PO Box 783 | Stoughton, MA 02072 | United States

We will respond within 10 business days.

6.8 Retention of Children's Information

We retain children's information only as long as necessary for educational purposes or as required by law. When a child's account is deleted or when they turn 18, we:

- Delete or de-identify personal information

- Retain only aggregated, anonymous data for research

- Maintain records of parental consent for compliance purposes

7. STUDENT EDUCATIONAL RECORDS (FERPA)

7.1 FERPA Principles

Although iNERDE is not a school subject to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), we follow FERPA principles for protecting student educational records.

7.2 Educational Records

"Educational records" include:

- Academic performance data (grades, test scores, assignments)

- Attendance and participation records

- Progress reports and assessments

- Individualized learning plans

7.3 Access to Educational Records

Students and Parents Can:

- View their own (or their child's) educational records

- Request corrections to inaccurate information

- Receive progress reports and transcripts

- Control disclosure to third parties

Teachers and Facilitators Can:

- Access records of students they teach (legitimate educational interest)

- View data necessary to provide instruction and support

7.4 Directory Information

We treat the following as "directory information" (may be shared without consent unless you opt out):

- Student's name (first name only in public contexts)

- Program participation

- Achievements and awards

- Grade level

You can opt out of directory information disclosure by contacting us at [email protected].

7.5 Educational Research

We may use de-identified educational records for research to improve:

- Curriculum effectiveness

- Teaching methods

- Platform features

- Educational outcomes in Africa

All research complies with ethical standards and does not identify individual students.

8. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

8.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize you and remember your preferences. We use cookies and similar technologies (web beacons, pixels, local storage) to provide and improve our Services.

8.2 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Required):

- Authentication: Keep you logged in securely

- Security: Detect fraudulent activity and secure the platform

- Functionality: Remember your preferences and settings

Analytics Cookies (Optional):

- Usage Analytics: Understand how you use our Services

- Performance Monitoring: Identify and fix technical issues

- Feature Testing: Test new features with user groups

Preferences Cookies (Optional):

- Language Settings: Remember your language preference

- Display Settings: Remember your viewing preferences

- Educational Settings: Remember your learning tier and course progress

8.3 What We Track with Cookies

- Pages you visit and features you use

- Time spent on different activities

- Device and browser information

- Referring website (where you came from)

- General location (country/region, not precise GPS)

8.4 What We DON'T Track

- Activity on other websites (we don't use cross-site tracking)

- Precise GPS location

- Sensitive personal information

- Information for targeted advertising (we don't advertise)

8.5 Managing Cookies

Your Choices:

- Browser Settings: Most browsers let you block or delete cookies

- Platform Settings: You can adjust cookie preferences in your account settings

Do Not Track: We respect Do Not Track (DNT) signals

Note: Disabling essential cookies may prevent you from using some features. Analytics cookies are optional and can be disabled without affecting functionality.

8.6 Third-Party Cookies

We minimize third-party cookies. When used, they're only for:

- Analytics (e.g., aggregated usage data, anonymized)

- Security services

- Payment processing (secure, encrypted)

We do NOT allow third-party advertising cookies on our platform.

9. DATA SECURITY

9.1 Our Security Commitment

We take data security seriously and implement industry-standard measures to protect your information. However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9.2 Technical Security Measures

Encryption:

- Data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using TLS/SSL

- Sensitive data at rest is encrypted in our databases

- Payment information is encrypted and handled by PCI-compliant processors

Access Controls:

- Multi-factor authentication for staff accounts

- Role-based access (users only see data they need)

- Regular access reviews and audits

- Password requirements (strong passwords, regular updates)

Infrastructure Security:

- Secure cloud hosting with reputable providers

- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems

- Regular security updates and patches

- Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection

Monitoring:

- 24/7 system monitoring for suspicious activity

- Automated alerts for potential security incidents

- Regular security audits and penetration testing

- Incident response plan in place

9.3 Organizational Security Measures

- Background checks for staff with access to sensitive data

- Employee training on data security and privacy

- Confidentiality agreements with all staff and contractors

- Limited access on a "need-to-know" basis

- Secure disposal of data no longer needed

9.4 Your Security Responsibilities

You can help protect your information by:

- Using Strong Passwords: Unique, complex passwords for your account

- Not Sharing Accounts: Keep your login credentials private

- Logging Out: Especially on shared devices

- Updating Contact Info: Keep your email address current for security alerts

- Reporting Issues: Immediately report suspected security breaches

9.5 Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will:

- Investigate and contain the breach promptly

- Notify affected users within 72 hours of discovery (or as required by law)

- Notify parents/guardians for children under 13

- Report to relevant authorities as required

- Provide information about steps we're taking and steps you can take

10. DATA RETENTION

10.1 How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy or as required by law.

10.2 Retention Periods by Type

Active Accounts:

- Personal information is retained while your account is active

- Educational records are retained throughout your enrollment and for a reasonable period after (typically 3-7 years for educational records)

Inactive Accounts:

- If you don't log in for 24 months, we may archive or delete your account after providing notice

- Parents can request account deletion at any time

Children Under 13:

- Personal information is deleted within a reasonable time after parental consent is revoked

- Educational records may be retained in de-identified form for research

Account Deletion:

- Upon deletion request, we delete or de-identify personal information within 30 days

- Some information may be retained in backups for up to 90 days

- We retain aggregated, de-identified data for research and improvement

Legal Requirements:

- Financial records retained for 7 years (tax and accounting requirements)

- Consent records retained to demonstrate COPPA compliance

- Legal documents retained as required by law

10.3 What Happens to Data After Retention Period

Personal information is securely deleted or de-identified

Educational records may be aggregated for research (de-identified)

Backups are securely destroyed after retention period

Some metadata may be retained for security and fraud prevention

11. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS AND CHOICES

11.1 Access Your Information

You have the right to access your personal information. You can:

- View and update your profile in account settings

- Download your educational records

- Request a copy of all information we have about you

How to Request:

Log into your account and visit "Privacy & Data" settings

Email [email protected]

We will respond within 30 days.

11.2 Correct Your Information

You have the right to correct inaccurate information. You can:

- Update your profile information directly in account settings

- Contact your teacher/facilitator to correct educational records

- Request corrections by emailing [email protected]

11.3 Delete Your Information

You have the right to request deletion of your information (with some exceptions). You can:

- Delete your account through account settings

- Request deletion by emailing [email protected]

Parents can request deletion of their child's information

Exceptions (We May Not Delete):

- Information required by law (e.g., financial records for 7 years)

- Information needed for legal claims or compliance

- De-identified information used for research

- Information in backups (deleted within 90 days)

11.4 Opt Out of Communications

You can opt out of certain communications:

- Marketing Emails: Unsubscribe link in each email (we send minimal marketing)

- Educational Updates: Manage preferences in account settings

- SMS Notifications: Reply STOP or manage in account settings

- Note: You cannot opt out of essential service communications (e.g., security alerts, policy changes, account confirmations).

11.5 Object to Processing

You can object to certain uses of your information:

- Marketing Use: We don't use student information for marketing

- Research Use: You can opt out of research participation (using only de-identified data)

- Third-Party Sharing: Request limits on sharing (where feasible)

11.6 Data Portability

You have the right to receive your information in a portable format. We can provide:

- Educational records in PDF or CSV format

- Account information in JSON format

- Exported content (assignments, projects) in standard formats

- Request by emailing [email protected].

11.7 Rights for African Users

Depending on your location in Africa, you may have additional rights under local data protection laws (e.g., POPIA in South Africa, Data Protection Act in Ghana). Contact us to learn about rights specific to your country.

11.8 How to Exercise Your Rights

Multiple Ways to Contact Us:

- Email: [email protected]

- Mail: iNERDE INC., PO Box 783 | Stoughton, MA 02072 | United States

What We Need:

- Your name and account email

- Nature of your request

- Verification of your identity (for security)

- For children under 13: verification of parental authority

Response Time: We respond within 30 days (or as required by local law).

12. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

12.1 Where We Process Data

iNERDE is based in the United States (Massachusetts), but we serve students globally, primarily in Africa. Your information may be:

- Stored on servers in the United States

- Transferred to and processed in the United States

- Accessed by staff in the United States and Africa

12.2 Cross-Border Data Transfers

- When we transfer data internationally, we:

- Use Standard Contractual Clauses approved by relevant authorities

- Ensure adequate security measures are in place

- Comply with applicable data protection laws

- Limit transfers to only what's necessary

12.3 Data Protection in Different Countries

For African Users: We comply with applicable African data protection laws, including:

- South Africa: Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)

- Ghana: Data Protection Act

- Kenya: Data Protection Act

- Nigeria: Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR)

- For U.S. Users: We comply with COPPA, FERPA principles, and other U.S. laws.

12.4 Your Rights

You have rights under the laws of your country. These may include:

- Right to access your data

- Right to correction

- Right to deletion (right to be forgotten)

- Right to data portability

- Right to object to processing

- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Contact us to exercise your rights or with questions about international data transfers.

13. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND LINKS

13.1 Third-Party Services We Use

To operate our Services, we use trusted third-party services including:

Essential Services:

- Cloud hosting (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)

- Email delivery (e.g., SendGrid)

- Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, PayPal)

- Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics with anonymized IPs)

AI Services:

- Google Gemini (for Sira AI tutor)

- Grok (backup AI provider)

Important: We share only the minimum information necessary with third parties, and we contractually require them to protect your data.

13.2 Third-Party Links

Our Sites and Platform may contain links to third-party websites, resources, or services (e.g., external educational resources, partner organizations).

We Are Not Responsible For:

- Privacy practices of third-party sites

- Content on third-party sites

- Security of third-party sites

Before Visiting Third-Party Sites:

- Review their privacy policies

- Understand their data practices

- Supervise children's use (for parents)

This Privacy Policy does NOT apply to third-party sites.

13.3 Partner Organizations

We work with partner organizations to deliver programs, including:

- Dell Technologies: Corporate sponsor and hardware provider

- UNESCO: Government partnership programs

- Computer Aid International: Technology deployment

- Educational Institutions: Schools and learning centers

Partners have their own privacy policies. We share only necessary information with partners and require them to protect privacy.

13.4 No Third-Party Advertising

We Do NOT:

- Use advertising networks

- Allow third-party advertisers

- Track users across websites for advertising

- Build advertising profiles

- Show targeted ads to children

iNERDE is a nonprofit focused on education, not advertising.

14. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

14.1 How We Update This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

- Changes in our Services

- Changes in privacy laws

- New features or practices

- Feedback from our community

14.2 Notice of Changes

Material Changes:

- We will notify you at least 30 days before changes take effect

- Notification via email to your account email address

- Prominent notice on our Sites and Platform

For children under 13: notification to parents

Non-Material Changes:

- Updated immediately with notice on our Sites

- We encourage you to review periodically

14.3 Effective Date

Changes take effect on the date stated in the updated Privacy Policy

Your continued use after changes means you accept the updated policy

For children under 13: we will obtain renewed parental consent for material changes

14.4 Previous Versions

We maintain an archive of previous Privacy Policy versions. You can request older versions by emailing [email protected].

15. CONTACT US

15.1 Privacy Questions

If you have questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

Privacy Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: "Privacy Inquiry"

General Contact:
iNERDE INC.
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization (EIN: 46-3177885)

Mailing Address:
iNERDE INC.
PO Box 783
Stoughton, MA 02072
United States

Website: www.inerde.org

15.2 Complaints

If you believe we have violated your privacy rights or mishandled your personal information, please contact us first. We take complaints seriously and will investigate promptly.

You Also Have the Right to:

- File a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

- Contact your local data protection authority (for users outside the U.S.)

- Seek legal remedies in accordance with applicable law

15.3 Response Time

We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within:

- Urgent Security Issues: 24 hours

- COPPA/Children's Privacy: 10 business days

- Access/Deletion Requests: 30 days

- General Inquiries: 5-10 business days

SPECIAL NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These include:

- Right to know what personal information we collect and how we use it

- Right to delete personal information (with exceptions)

- Right to opt out of "sale" of personal information (we don't sell information)

- Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

For CCPA-specific requests, email [email protected] with "California Privacy Rights" in the subject line.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

Here's a quick summary of how we protect your privacy:

- We Comply with COPPA for children under 13 with parental consent
- We Follow FERPA Principles for student educational records
- We Use Information for Education not marketing or advertising
- We Don't Sell Information to anyone, ever
- We Secure Your Data with encryption and industry-standard protections
- We Give You Control over your information with access, correction, and deletion rights
- We're Transparent about our practices and committed to your trust
- We Put Children First with safety and privacy as top priorities

Thank You for Trusting iNERDE!

At iNERDE, we believe that every child deserves access to quality STEM education. Privacy and safety are foundational to that mission. Thank you for being part of the iNERDE learning community.

Questions? We're here to help! Contact us at [email protected].

iNERDE INC. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering African youth through STEM education.

Last Updated: April 8th, 2026
Effective Date:February 4th, 2026