Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide to Us

Since Ascent is designed for frictionless onboarding, you are not required to create an account to start using the basic features of the App. However, we may collect:

• Preferences & Interests: Topics, categories, and custom interests you select to personalize your feed.
• Support Inquiries: Information you provide when contacting us for support or feedback.
• Subscription Information: If you choose to subscribe to premium features, relevant transaction details. Payment processing is handled securely by third-party app stores and we do not store your payment information directly.

B. Information Collected Automatically

When you use Ascent, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns to improve your experience:

• Usage Data: Videos watched, watch time and completion rates, interaction history (such as saves, skips, and quiz results), and search queries.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and general diagnostic data to ensure app stability and performance.
• Analytics & Crash Reporting: We use third-party analytics tools (which may include Firebase or similar services) to understand how users interact with the App and to diagnose technical issues. These tools may collect device identifiers and usage data subject to their own privacy policies.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Personalization: To curate and deliver a tailored educational video feed that matches your interests and learning goals.
• App Functionality: To provide, maintain, and improve the core features of Ascent.
• Communication: To send you updates, security alerts, and support messages.
• Safety & Compliance: To enforce our Terms of Service, age requirements, and community guidelines.
• Analytics: To understand usage patterns, diagnose issues, and make informed product decisions.

3. Use of Anonymized Data for Algorithm Training

To continually enhance the quality and relevance of the educational content we serve, we analyze usage patterns. We may use anonymized, aggregated data derived from your app usage to train, fine-tune, and improve our algorithms and classification systems. This data is stripped of personally identifiable information and cannot be traced back to you individually.

4. Advertising

We do not currently display third-party advertisements within the App. If this changes in the future, this Privacy Policy will be updated accordingly and you will be notified.

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our application, performing data analytics, or securely managing infrastructure. These vendors are contractually obligated to protect your information.
• Legal Requirements: If required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or a government agency).
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

6. Data Retention

We retain your usage data and preferences for up to 24 months, or until you request deletion, whichever comes first. Anonymized and aggregated data may be retained indefinitely for analytics and algorithm improvement purposes.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate data.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data.
• Opt-Out: Opt out of certain data collection practices.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at keesara.aryan@gmail.com.

8. California Residents — CCPA

If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to request deletion of your personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell personal information. To submit a request, contact us at keesara.aryan@gmail.com.

9. Security of Your Data

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Children's Privacy

Ascent implements strict age requirements. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data without your consent, please contact us immediately at keesara.aryan@gmail.com and we will promptly delete that information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, via an in-app notification.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
keesara.aryan@gmail.com