Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 8, 2025

Welcome to Àbulę, a program of the Floating Freedom Foundation. We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of all students, families, educators, and volunteers who participate in our virtual learning environment.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, including data related to minors, and your rights regarding that information.

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1. Who This Policy Covers #

This policy applies to:

• Students enrolled in Àbulę (grades 6–12)
• Parents and legal guardians
• Teachers, advisors, and volunteers
• Visitors to our website and community platform

It covers all activities on abule.education, our associated platforms (e.g., Student Community, LMS, Google Meet), and communications through integrated tools (e.g., email, chat, learning management systems).

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2. What Personal Information We Collect #

We collect the minimum information necessary to deliver educational services. This includes:

For Students: #

• Full name, grade level, and age
• Parent/guardian contact information
• Usernames (for platform logins)
• Class enrollment details
• Assignment submissions, grades, attendance
• Activity within the student community (forums, groups, messages)
• Uploaded media (if applicable)

For Parents/Guardians: #

• Full name and email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Billing and payment information
• Records of enrollment decisions and communication preferences

For Teachers/Volunteers: #

• Full name, email address, and date of birth
• Credentials/resumes (when applicable)
• Background check confirmations (if required)
• Communication logs (e.g., forum posts, emails, teacher portals)

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3. How We Use This Information #

We use your data to:

• Create and manage student and parent accounts
• Enroll students in classes and activities
• Track progress, issue feedback, and generate transcripts (upon request)
• Enable communication between students, teachers, and families
• Maintain a secure and moderated student community
• Customize student experiences and course recommendations
• Provide technical and administrative support
• Evaluate program effectiveness and make improvements

We do not use personal data for advertising or marketing purposes, and we never sell your information to third parties.

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4. Communications & Messaging #

We use tools like Google Chat, email, and community notifications to communicate with users. These tools are monitored to ensure safety and compliance with community guidelines.

Private messages are never shared publicly but may be reviewed by administrators if there’s a concern about safety, bullying, or rule violations.

We no longer use Google Guardian Summaries.

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5. How We Handle Student Privacy #

We are committed to complying with all applicable student privacy laws, including:

• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act): We obtain verifiable parental consent for students under 13 and limit data collection to educational purposes only.
• FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act): We protect the confidentiality of student records and allow parents or eligible students to request access to, review, or delete records.

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6. Use of Google Meet & Class Recordings #

• Google Meet is used for live class meetings and club sessions.
• Select classes may be recorded for enrolled students to review material.
• Recordings are stored securely and are only accessible to authorized users.
• Families may opt out of having a student appear in recorded sessions by turning off cameras or contacting us for support.

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7. Student Work & Media Consent #

Student work (writing, art, performances, etc.) may be showcased on our website or in newsletters with permission. Students will never be publicly identified by last name without explicit parental consent.

Families can opt out of student media use at any time by contacting: info@abule.education.

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8. Payment Information #

Payments are securely processed through trusted third-party services. Àbulę does not store or directly handle full credit card numbers or banking information.

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9. Cookies & Website Analytics #

We use basic cookies for:

• User authentication (to keep you logged in)
• Platform functionality (to remember your settings)
• Performance tracking (e.g., to improve our site)

We do not use cookies for targeted advertising. Analytics data (e.g., page visits, time on site) is anonymous and used solely to improve the website.

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10. Data Sharing & Third Parties #

We may share limited data with trusted service providers that help us operate Àbulę, such as:

• Google (Meet, Chat, Workspace)
• BetterMessages (community messaging)
• WordPress (community forums and social groups)

These providers must comply with strict privacy standards and may not use your data for any purpose beyond Àbulę services.

We never sell or rent your information to anyone.

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11. Data Security #

We take security seriously and implement industry-standard measures to protect data, including:

• Encrypted connections (SSL)
• Password protection and two-factor authentication for admins
• Regular backups and data access monitoring
• Limited access to sensitive data by staff on a need-to-know basis

No system is 100% secure, but we continually monitor and update our tools to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.

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12. Data Retention #

We retain user data for as long as needed to provide educational services, fulfill legal obligations, and maintain academic records.

Families may request deletion of accounts and personal data by contacting us. We will delete or anonymize information unless retention is required by law or for academic records (e.g., transcripts or scholarship eligibility).

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13. User Rights #

You and your family have the right to:

• Access your data and request corrections
• Request deletion of personal or student data
• Withdraw consent for optional data uses (e.g., student work sharing)
• Ask questions about our privacy practices

To make a request, email us at: privacy@abule.education

We aim to respond within 10 business days.

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14. International Users #

Àbulę serves students across the U.S. and in other countries (e.g., UK, UAE). By using our platform, you consent to the transfer and processing of your data in the United States under U.S. privacy standards, which may differ from your local laws.

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15. Changes to This Policy #

We may occasionally update this Privacy Policy. When we do, we will:

• Post the new version here
• Notify families and educators via email or platform announcement
• Highlight any major changes for transparency

We encourage you to review this page periodically.

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16. Contact Us #

For questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy:

📧 Email: privacy@abule.education
🌐 Website: https://abule.education

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Thank you for trusting Àbulę. We are committed to creating a safe, enriching, and inclusive learning experience for every student.