1. Introduction

SchoolNotify is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users, including students, parents, guardians, teachers, and school staff. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information in connection with the SchoolNotify app. Our goal is to ensure transparency and compliance with applicable laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

By using SchoolNotify, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you have any questions, please contact us at mudelly@mopay.rw or +1 (253) 656-5045.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide our services, enhance school communication, and ensure a safe educational environment. The types of data we collect include:

Student Information: Name, date of birth, grade level, attendance records, emergency contact details, and barcode data for check-in purposes.
Parent/Guardian Information: Name, contact details (email, phone number), and relationship to the student.
Teacher/Staff Information: Name, contact details, role, and account credentials.
Usage Information: Data on how you interact with the app, such as messages sent, notifications viewed, or permission forms submitted.
Device Information: Device type, operating system, and IP address to ensure app functionality and security.
Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies or similar technologies to improve user experience and analyze app performance. You can manage these through your device settings.

We do not collect sensitive data beyond what is required for educational purposes, and we avoid collecting information like financial data or precise geolocation unless explicitly needed and consented to.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect data through:

Account Creation: Information provided during registration (e.g., name, email, role).
App Usage: Data generated from interactions like messaging, attendance tracking, or permission form submissions.
Automated Tools: Device information and analytics collected via cookies or similar technologies.
School Systems: Integration with school databases (e.g., Student Information Systems) to sync data like attendance or student profiles.

4. How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

Facilitate school communication (e.g., sending alerts, messages, or event updates).
Track and manage student attendance via barcode scanning.
Process permission requests for school activities.
Provide user support and improve app functionality.
Comply with legal obligations, such as reporting to educational authorities.
Analyze usage to enhance app performance and user experience.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell or rent personal information. We may share data only in the following cases:

With Schools: To provide services like attendance tracking or student updates to authorized school personnel.
With Service Providers: With trusted vendors (e.g., cloud storage or messaging platforms) who assist in app operations, bound by strict data protection agreements.
With Consent: When you explicitly agree to share data for specific purposes.
For Legal Compliance: To meet regulatory requirements or respond to lawful requests from authorities.

Third-party providers are carefully vetted to ensure compliance with privacy standards, and we limit data sharing to what is necessary for the authorized educational purpose.

6. Data Security

We implement robust measures to protect your data, including:

Encryption of data during transmission and storage.
Role-based access controls to limit data access to authorized users only (e.g., parents see only their child’s data).
Regular security audits and staff training on data privacy.
Secure storage of physical and digital records.

Despite these measures, no system is completely secure. We strive to minimize risks and promptly address any breaches.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for educational purposes or as required by law. For example:

Student data is kept during enrollment and may be retained for a period post-graduation as required by local regulations.
Inactive accounts are deleted after 2 years of non-use.
Upon request or when no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymized.

8. Your Rights

Depending on applicable laws, you may have the right to:

Access your or your child’s personal information.
Request corrections to inaccurate data.
Opt out of certain data collection (e.g., analytics cookies).
Request deletion of your data, subject to legal retention requirements.
Withdraw consent for specific data uses.
Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.

To exercise these rights, contact us at mudelly@mopay.rw. Parents can access their child’s data via the app’s settings or by contacting their school.

9. Third-Party Services

SchoolNotify integrates with third-party services (e.g., cloud providers, messaging platforms) to deliver features like push notifications or data storage. These providers are contractually obligated to comply with our privacy standards and applicable laws. We disclose third-party data sharing in our app settings and ensure users can opt out where possible (e.g., for non-essential analytics).

10. Advertisements

SchoolNotify does not display advertisements or engage in behavioral advertising. We avoid sharing data for marketing purposes to ensure a safe and focused educational environment.

11. Children’s Privacy

As an educational app, SchoolNotify prioritizes the protection of children’s data. We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and FERPA by:

Obtaining parental consent for users under 13 where required.
Limiting data collection to what is necessary for educational purposes.
Ensuring parents can review and manage their child’s data.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify users of significant changes via the app, email, or our website (www.besoft.rw). Continued use of the app after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, please contact:

Email: mudelly@mopay.rw
Phone: +1 (253) 656-5045
Website: www.besoft.rw

We are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and transparently.

Note

This policy is accessible within the SchoolNotify app (Settings > Privacy) and on our website (www.besoft.rw/privacy). For iOS and Android compliance, a link is also provided on our App Store and Play Store listings.