Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We minimize the personal data we collect. When you use StudentChat, we may collect:

• Account data: username, password (hashed), age range, gender
• Optional: email address (not required for registration)
• Chat messages: public and private messages (retained for moderation)
• Technical data: IP address, browser type, device information

2. How We Use Your Data

We use collected data solely for the purpose of operating and improving the Platform:

• To provide chat functionality and manage your account
• To enforce our age separation policy (13-17 / 18+)
• To moderate content and investigate reports
• To prevent abuse, spam, and prohibited activity
• To comply with legal obligations

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

3. Children's Privacy (COPPA & GDPR-K)

StudentChat is committed to protecting the privacy of young users. Our Platform is available to users aged 13 and older in compliance with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) and GDPR-K:

• Users under 13 are strictly prohibited and accounts found to be underage are permanently banned
• Teen users (13-17) are kept in separate environments from adults (18+)
• We minimize data collection for all users regardless of age
• Parents may contact us to request deletion of their child's data

4. Data Retention

We retain chat messages and account data as necessary for moderation, safety, and legal compliance. Chat logs are retained for a reasonable period and automatically purged thereafter. You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us.

5. Cookies

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and preferences. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party advertising cookies. You can control cookie settings through your browser.

6. Third-Party Services

StudentChat uses third-party services for core functionality including:

• Font Awesome and BoxIcons for icon rendering
• jQuery and FancyBox for UI components
• Redis for session caching (optional)

These services do not receive your personal data beyond standard web request information.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including HTTPS encryption, password hashing, and rate limiting to protect your data. However, no online service is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction or deletion of your data
• Object to or restrict processing of your data
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time

9. Contact

For privacy-related inquiries, data requests, or concerns, contact us at [email protected].

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Last updated: July 2026