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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 27, 2025

At PhonicsMaker, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and share information when you use our services—including our AI-powered phonics story creation tool, educational resources, and any associated mobile or web applications (collectively, the "Services").

This Privacy Policy complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Account Information: When you sign up for PhonicsMaker, we collect information such as your name and email address.
  • Educational Content: Stories, word lists, and other content you create using our tools.
  • Feedback: If you contact us or provide feedback, we collect the information you share with us.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Usage Data: When you interact with our website or app, we may collect non-identifiable information such as browser type, operating system, IP address, and timestamps.
  • Cookies: We use cookies to improve your experience, track preferences, and analyze traffic.

1.3 Payment Information

We use Stripe to process all payments. We do not store your credit card details on our servers. All payment information is handled directly by Stripe in accordance with PCI-DSS standards. For more information, see Stripe's Privacy Policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

  • To deliver PhonicsMaker's AI-powered phonics story creation service.
  • To improve and personalize our services.
  • To communicate with you about your account or service updates.
  • To analyze trends and gather insights to enhance the user experience.
  • To process payments and manage subscriptions.

We only collect and retain the minimum information necessary to provide our Services.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data with third parties in the following cases:

  • Service Providers: To deliver our services (e.g., Stripe for payments, cloud hosting providers).
  • Legal Obligations: If required by law or to protect our rights.
  • With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share your information.

4. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside the United Kingdom, including in the United States. Where we transfer your data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR, including the use of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or transferring data to countries that have been deemed to provide an adequate level of protection by the UK government.

5. Children's Privacy

PhonicsMaker is designed for use by teachers and parents, not directly by children. Our Services are intended to be used by adults (teachers, parents, guardians) to create educational content for children.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at support@phonicsmaker.com and we will take steps to delete such information.

Any student names or personal details entered into story generators are the responsibility of the adult user and are processed as part of the educational content they create.

6. Google API Services

PhonicsMaker may use Google API Services to enhance our offerings. By using our Services:

  • You agree to Google's Privacy Policy.
  • We will only access and use Google API data in ways that comply with Google's API Services User Data Policy.
  • We will not share or use your data for advertising purposes without your explicit consent.

7. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your information only as long as necessary to provide our Services or as required by law.

Your Right to Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and all associated data at any time by contacting us at support@phonicsmaker.com. We will process deletion requests within 30 days, except where we are required by law to retain certain information.

8. Your Rights Under UK Data Protection Law

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you (Subject Access Request).
  • Rectification: Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten") (see Section 7).
  • Restriction: Request restriction of processing of your personal data.
  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.
  • Objection: Object to the processing of your personal data for certain purposes.
  • Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications using the link provided in each message.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@phonicsmaker.com. We will respond within one month as required by UK GDPR.

9. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit and at rest. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Third-Party Links

Our app or website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be communicated through email or on our website. The "Effective Date" at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last updated.

12. Complaints

If you believe we have breached your data protection rights, you may lodge a complaint with us at support@phonicsmaker.com. We will investigate and respond to your complaint within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

  • Website: ico.org.uk
  • Phone: 0303 123 1113
  • Email: icocasework@ico.org.uk

13. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Your Time Matters. Your Privacy Does Too.

PhonicsMaker is committed to safeguarding your information and ensuring your data remains private and secure. Thank you for trusting us with your educational content creation.

Need help with anything? Contact us at support@phonicsmaker.com and we'll be happy to assist you.

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