This Privacy Policy explains how Studyfound (“Studyfound”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you use our website, apps, and services (the “Service”).
By using the Service, you agree to this Privacy Policy
Privacy Notice at Collection (Summary)
This summary is provided for transparency. Full details appear in the sections below.
What we collect
- Identifiers & account info: name, email, login credentials (password stored hashed), country, profile details
- Application & usage info: saved programs, deadlines, checklists, notes, activity on the platform
- Documents & text you provide: SOP drafts, resumes/CVs, transcripts or other uploads, prompts/inputs you enter
- Technical data: IP address, device/browser info, log data, cookies and similar tracking technologies
- Billing metadata (if paid): subscription status, transaction IDs, plan type (payment card details are typically handled by payment processors)
Why we collect it
- Provide the Service (accounts, tracking, document tools, AI features)
- Provide AI-assisted features you request
- Security, fraud prevention, and enforcing terms
- Analytics and improving the Service
- Customer support
- Legal compliance
- Marketing communications (only where permitted; opt-out available)
Who we share it with
- Service providers (hosting, analytics, payment processors, AI infrastructure, support tools) under contractual safeguards
- Legal/safety disclosures if required by law or to protect users/platform
- Business transfers (merger/acquisition) with appropriate safeguards
Your choices/rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may request access, correction, deletion, portability, restriction/objection, and withdrawal of consent. Contact: [email protected]
Contact: [email protected]
1. Who We Are (Controller)
Data Controller: Studyfound
Contact (Privacy): [email protected]
If you are using Studyfound on behalf of an organization, that organization may also control certain data you provide.
2. Scope
This Policy applies to:
- our website and web app
- our mobile apps (if any)
- our AI-assisted tools (SOP/resume/email drafting, summaries, recommendations)
- support, communications, and marketing related to the Service
It does not apply to third-party websites (including university sites) you may access via links on Studyfound.
3. Information We Collect
A. Information you provide
- Account data: name, email, password (stored in hashed form), country, profile details
- Application tracking data: saved universities/programs, deadlines, checklists, notes, status updates
- Documents & content: SOP drafts, resumes/CVs, transcripts or other files you upload, and any text you enter
- Support communications: messages you send to support, feedback, survey responses
B. Information collected automatically
- Device & usage data: IP address, device type, browser, pages viewed, time spent, clicks, referral URLs
- Log data: access logs, error logs, security events
- Cookies & similar technologies: for login/session, preferences, analytics, and (if enabled) marketing
C. Payment information (if you pay)
Payments are typically processed by third-party payment processors. We may receive limited billing metadata (e.g., plan type, payment status, transaction IDs) but we do not store full card details on our servers if a processor handles them.
D. University/public data
We may display program and university information from publicly available sources. This generally isn’t your personal data unless it is linked to you (e.g., your saved lists/notes)
4. How We Use Information
We use your information to:
- Provide and operate the Service (accounts, dashboards, tracking, document tools)
- Enable AI features (generate/edit/summarize text you request)
- Personalize your experience (saved items, preferences, recommendations)
- Customer support (respond to messages, troubleshoot issues)
- Security and fraud prevention (detect abuse, enforce Terms, protect accounts)
- Analytics and improvement (understand usage, improve features, performance, UX)
- Legal compliance (meet legal obligations, respond to lawful requests)
- Marketing (optional) (send updates/offers where permitted; opt out anytime)
5. AI Features: How Your Data Is Processed
Depending on your location, we process personal data under one or more legal bases, such as:
- Contract to provide the Service you requested
- Legitimate interests to secure and improve the Service, prevent fraud, and operate our business
- Consent for certain cookies and marketing communications where required
- Legal obligation to comply with applicable laws and lawful requests
6. Legal Bases (Where Required)
When you use AI features:
- the text/documents you input may be processed to generate AI Output for you
- we may use trusted service providers to help provide AI functionality (under contract and confidentiality obligations)
Important:
- You control what you submit. Avoid uploading highly sensitive information unless
- We may use aggregated or de-identified usage patterns to improve the Service (e.g., performance, safety, quality).
- We do not intentionally publish your private documents (SOPs/CVs/files) publicly.
7. How We Share Information
We do not rent your personal data. We may share personal data only as follows:
A. Service Providers (Processors)
We may share information with vendors that help us run the Service, such as:
- hosting and cloud infrastructure
- analytics and performance monitoring
- customer support tools
- payment processors
- AI/ML service providers (for AI features)
They may process data only on our instructions and for service delivery.
B. Legal and safety
We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to:
- comply with law, regulations, or legal process
- enforce our Terms
- investigate fraud, security incidents, or abuse
- protect rights, safety, and property of Studyfound, users, or the public
C. Business transfers
If Studyfound is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to appropriate safeguards.
8. International Transfers
Your data may be processed in countries other than your own (e.g., where our hosting/providers operate). Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.
9. Data Retention
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described above.
Typical retention:
- Account data: retained while your account is active
- User documents/content: retained while your account is active or until you delete it (subject to backups and legal holds)
- Logs/security records: typically up to 24 months (may be shorter/longer depending on necessity)
- Backups: may persist for up to 90 days after deletion due to technical backup cycles
We may retain certain data longer if needed for legal compliance, dispute resolution, or fraud prevention.
10. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on where you live, you may have rights such as:
- access to your personal data
- correction of inaccurate data
- deletion
- objection or restriction of certain processing
- data portability (where applicable)
- withdrawing consent (where processing is based on consent)
How to exercise rights
Email [email protected] with:
- your account email
- the request (access, deletion, correction, etc.)
We may ask you to verify identity before fulfilling requests.
11. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies for:
- essential functions (login, session, security)
- preferences (language, settings)
- analytics (understanding usage and improving performance)
- marketing (only if enabled and permitted)
You can manage cookies via browser settings and, where required, via our cookie banner/consent tool.
12. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational security measures to protect personal data. However, no system can be guaranteed 100% secure. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure.
13. Children’s Privacy
The Service is not intended for children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under the age of majority in their jurisdiction. If you believe a child has provided data, contact us and we will take reasonable steps to delete it.
14. Third-Party Links (Universities and Others)
Our Service may link to university websites or third-party services. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy handling.
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the Service after changes means you accept the revised Policy.
16. Contact
For privacy questions or requests:
Email: [email protected]