Study Nook

This privacy notice for Study Nook LLC ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") informs you about personal information we collect through our website available at: https://studynook.education ("Website"), our mobile applications for iOS and Android ("Apps"), and through our services ("Services"), including engagement through sales, marketing, or events. It explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information, outlines your rights and choices, and tells you how to contact us about our privacy practices.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and applicable data protection requirements of the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Personal Information We Collect

Personal information refers to data that identifies or relates to you as an individual. This includes but is not limited to your name, postal address, email, phone number, and data collected automatically from your use of our Website and Apps, such as IP address and usage logs.

Personally Identifiable Information

We collect and process:

Name, email address, username
Billing address and contact information
Account preferences and profile information
Academic institution or grade level (if provided)

Authentication Information

To secure your account, we collect:

Passwords (encrypted and hashed)
Login credentials and session tokens
Two-factor authentication data (if enabled)
OAuth tokens from third-party login providers (Google, Apple)

Financial and Payment Information

When you make purchases, we may collect:

Billing address and contact information
Payment method details (processed securely by third-party providers)
Transaction history and subscription status
Subscription preferences and billing cycles

Note: Credit card numbers and sensitive payment data are processed directly by our payment providers (Stripe, Apple App Store, Google Play Store) and are not stored on our servers.

User Activity Information

We track usage patterns to improve our services:

Page views, clicks, and navigation patterns on our website and apps
Feature usage and interaction frequency
Screenshots captured through our Chrome extension
Questions asked and homework sessions created
Time spent on various platform features
Device information (browser type, screen resolution, operating system)

Note: We do not track keystroke logging, mouse position tracking, or monitor your browsing outside our platform.

Website Content and Educational Data

Through our platform and Chrome extension, we process:

Screenshots of homework problems and academic content
Text extracted from uploaded images and screenshots
Questions and homework problems you submit
AI-generated solutions and explanations
Study notes and saved academic content
Files and documents you upload for analysis
Images uploaded directly through our editors in flash cards, tests, and other educational content
User-generated study materials including text, images, and multimedia content

Chrome Extension Specific: Our extension captures screenshots only when you explicitly activate it and select content. Screenshots are temporarily processed for AI analysis and are not permanently stored unless you choose to download them locally.

Image Upload Features: Images uploaded through our platform editors are stored securely and associated with your educational content. We do not scan or analyze these images beyond what's necessary for platform functionality, such as display optimization and content moderation for policy violations.

Device and Technical Information

We automatically collect:

IP address and approximate geolocation
Browser and device information (type, model, operating system version)
Unique device identifiers (see "Device Identifiers" section below)
Cookies and session data
Error logs and performance metrics
App version and installation data
Time zone and language settings

We do not collect sensitive personal data such as biometric, genetic, or health-related information.

Mobile Application Data Practices

When you use the Study Nook mobile application on iOS or Android, we collect the following additional information:

Device Identifiers

iOS: We do not collect the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) for tracking purposes. We may collect a vendor identifier for app functionality and analytics.
Android: We may collect Android ID for analytics and app functionality purposes. We do not use persistent device identifiers for advertising tracking.

App Tracking Transparency (iOS)

Study Nook does not track you across other companies' apps and websites for advertising purposes. We do not request App Tracking Transparency (ATT) permission because we do not engage in cross-app tracking as defined by Apple.

Any analytics we collect are used solely to improve our own services and are not shared with third parties for advertising purposes.

Push Notifications

With your permission, we may send push notifications to:

Remind you about study sessions and due dates
Notify you about class updates and new content
Send important account and subscription notifications

You can disable push notifications at any time through your device settings (iOS: Settings > Notifications > Study Nook; Android: Settings > Apps > Study Nook > Notifications).

In-App Purchases

Subscription purchases made through the iOS App Store or Google Play Store are processed by Apple or Google, respectively. We receive confirmation of your purchase and subscription status but do not have access to your payment method details for in-app purchases.

Offline Data

Some app data may be cached locally on your device for offline access. This data is stored securely on your device and synced with our servers when you reconnect to the internet.

How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information through:

Direct Interactions

Including when you:

Register or access your account (including via social login like Google or Apple)
Subscribe to Services or make purchases
Create or upload educational content
Provide feedback or communicate with us

Automated Technology

Including:

IP address, browser/device type, screen resolution, OS details
Cookies, server logs, session tracking
Mobile app analytics and crash reporting

Third Parties

Including:

Analytics tools (Google Analytics, PostHog)
Payment processors (Stripe, Apple App Store, Google Play Store)
Authentication providers (Google, Apple Sign-In)
Marketing services (Mailgun for transactional emails)

How We Use Your Information

We process your information to:

Provide and personalize our Services
Process your subscription and payments
Communicate with you (support, updates, notifications)
Ensure security and fraud prevention
Monitor and moderate uploaded content for policy compliance
Improve our services through analytics
Comply with legal obligations

Under the GDPR, we act as both a data controller and processor depending on the situation. We rely on lawful bases including consent, contractual necessity, legal obligations, and legitimate interests.

Third-Party AI Services and Data Sharing

Important Disclosure: Study Nook uses third-party artificial intelligence services to power certain features of our platform. When you use AI-powered features, your data may be shared with these services:

OpenAI

We use OpenAI's API services for:

AI-powered test and flash card generation
Study Mate assistant and homework helper
Content analysis and solution generation

Data Shared: When you use these features, the text content you submit (questions, documents, study materials) is transmitted to OpenAI for processing. This may include educational content you create or upload.

OpenAI's Data Practices: OpenAI processes this data according to their API data usage policies. API data is not used to train OpenAI's models. For more information, see OpenAI's Privacy Policy.

Your Control Over AI Data Sharing

By using AI-powered features in Study Nook, you consent to the transmission of your submitted content to our AI service providers. If you do not wish to share data with third-party AI services, you may:

Use non-AI features of Study Nook (manual flash card and test creation)
Avoid using the Study Mate, homework helper, or AI generation features

We will not share your personal data (name, email, account information) with AI services—only the content you explicitly submit for AI processing.

Screenshot and Image Data

For users of our Chrome extension and screenshot-based homework helper tools:

Screenshots captured through the extension are temporarily processed
Image data is transmitted securely to our AI analysis services
Screenshots are not permanently stored on our servers
Users may choose to download screenshots to their local device
Image analysis is performed to extract educational content and provide solutions

All image processing occurs over secure HTTPS connections and follows the same data protection standards as our other services. Downloaded screenshots are stored locally on your device and are under your control.

Content Moderation and Image Policy Enforcement

To maintain a safe and appropriate learning environment, we may review uploaded images and user-generated content for compliance with our Terms of Service. This includes:

Automated scanning for inappropriate content
Manual review of reported or flagged content
Removal of content that violates our community guidelines
Account restrictions or suspensions for policy violations

Content moderation is performed in accordance with our legitimate business interests and legal obligations. We retain the right to remove any content that violates our policies, regardless of when it was uploaded.

If your content is removed due to policy violations, we may retain certain information about the violation for security and enforcement purposes, in accordance with our data retention policies.

Sharing Your Information

We may share your information with:

Service providers: Payment processors (Stripe), cloud hosting (AWS), analytics providers, AI services (OpenAI)
Authentication providers: Google and Apple for Sign-In services
Government agencies: When required by law or legal process

We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties for their marketing purposes.

All third parties must agree to process your data securely and according to this notice. We require our service providers to use your data only for the purposes we specify.

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience:

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies: Required for the website and app to function (authentication, security)
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our services (Google Analytics, PostHog)
Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Managing Cookies

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our services.

To opt out of analytics tracking, visit:

Google Analytics Opt-Out

Third-Party Logins

If you log in via Google, Apple, or similar services, we receive limited profile information (name, email, profile picture). We do not receive your password for these services. You may revoke Study Nook's access through those platforms' privacy settings:

Google: Google Account Permissions
Apple: Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Apps Using Apple ID

Data Retention

We retain your information for the following periods:

Retention Periods

Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for up to 30 days after deletion request to allow for account recovery
User-Generated Content: Retained while your account is active; deleted or anonymized upon account deletion
Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and legal compliance
Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized after 26 months
Support Communications: Retained for 3 years after resolution
Security Logs: Retained for 1 year for fraud prevention

Data no longer needed is securely deleted or anonymized. Some information may be retained longer if required by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as resolving disputes or enforcing our agreements).

Account Deletion

You have the right to delete your account and associated personal data. You can request account deletion through:

How to Delete Your Account

In the App (iOS/Android): Go to Account Settings > Delete Account
On the Website: Go to Account Settings > Delete Account
By Email: Send a request to [email protected]

What Happens When You Delete Your Account

Your account will be deactivated immediately
Personal data will be permanently deleted within 30 days
Any active subscriptions will be cancelled (you may need to also cancel through Apple/Google for in-app subscriptions)
User-generated content (flash cards, tests, etc.) will be deleted
Some data may be retained as required by law (e.g., transaction records)
Anonymized or aggregated data may be retained for analytics

Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:

Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
Secure password hashing (bcrypt)
Access controls and authentication requirements
Regular security assessments
Secure cloud infrastructure (AWS)

However, no system is 100% secure. If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

International Transfers

Your data may be stored or transferred to the United States, where our servers are located. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that your data will be transferred to and processed in the United States.

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or other regions with data transfer restrictions, we rely on:

Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
Your consent to the transfer when you create an account

Your Rights

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

Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
Deletion: Request deletion of your data (see Account Deletion section)
Portability: Request your data in a portable format
Objection: Object to certain processing of your data
Restriction: Request restriction of processing
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We may ask for identity verification before processing your request. We will respond within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

Do-Not-Track Signals

We do not currently respond to browser Do-Not-Track (DNT) signals due to lack of an industry standard. However, you can control tracking through your browser cookie settings and the opt-out links provided in the Cookies section.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know: Request disclosure of personal information collected, used, and shared
Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the "sale" of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
Right to Non-Discrimination: You will not be discriminated against for exercising your rights

To exercise your California privacy rights, email [email protected] with "California Privacy Request" in the subject line.

Children's Privacy

Study Nook is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.

Users between 13 and 18 should review this privacy policy with a parent or guardian.

Updates to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes:

We will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy
We will notify you by email or through the app for significant changes
We may ask for your consent if required by applicable law

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of Study Nook after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Company: Study Nook, LLC
Address: 10629 Hardin Valley Rd Suite #184, Knoxville, TN 37932
Email: [email protected]

For privacy-specific inquiries, you may also email [email protected].