🔒 Privacy Policy
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information while you use our platform.
🎯 1. Introduction
USA Science Olympiad ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website UOly.org and use our services.
This policy applies to all users of our platform, including students, educators, parents, coaches, and administrators. We are especially committed to protecting the privacy of students and comply with applicable privacy laws including COPPA and FERPA.
📊 2. Information We Collect
🔹 Personal Information
We may collect the following personal information:
- Name, email address, phone number
- School name and address
- Grade level and academic information
- Competition registration and participation data
- Payment information (processed through secure third-party providers)
🔹 Automatically Collected Information
- IP address and device information
- Browser type and version
- Usage patterns and navigation data
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
- Performance and error logs
🎓 3. Student Privacy Protection
COPPA Compliance
We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for users under 13 years of age. Parental consent is required before collecting personal information from children under 13.
FERPA Compliance
We protect student educational records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and work with schools to ensure proper handling of student data.
🔹 Special Protections for Students
- Minimal data collection - only what's necessary for competition participation
- Parental consent required for users under 13
- No behavioral advertising to students
- Secure data storage with restricted access
- Data deletion upon graduation or withdrawal
🎯 4. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information for the following purposes:
🔹 Service Provision
- Competition registration and management
- User account creation and maintenance
- Communication about events and updates
- Score reporting and certificates
🔹 Platform Improvement
- Website performance optimization
- User experience enhancement
- Technical support and troubleshooting
- Security monitoring and fraud prevention
🤝 5. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in the following circumstances:
✅ With Your Consent
When you explicitly agree to share information with specific third parties.
✅ Service Providers
With trusted vendors who help us operate our platform (payment processors, email services, hosting providers).
✅ Legal Requirements
When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and safety.
✅ Competition Results
Publicly sharing competition results, rankings, and achievements (with participant consent).
🍪 6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our platform:
🔹 Essential Cookies
Required for basic website functionality, login sessions, and security.
🔹 Analytics Cookies
Help us understand how users interact with our website to improve performance.
🔹 Preference Cookies
Remember your settings and preferences for a personalized experience.
🔹 Third-Party Cookies
From integrated services like payment processors and analytics providers.
Cookie Control: You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
🛡️ 7. Data Security
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:
🔹 Technical Safeguards
- SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
- Encrypted data storage
- Regular security audits and updates
- Secure payment processing
- Access controls and authentication
🔹 Administrative Safeguards
- Staff training on privacy protection
- Limited access on a need-to-know basis
- Background checks for personnel
- Incident response procedures
- Regular privacy impact assessments
Important: While we implement strong security measures, no system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of data transmitted over the internet.
⏳ 8. Data Retention
We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
Student Records
Retained while the student is actively participating, then archived according to educational record requirements.
User Accounts
Deleted within 30 days of account closure request, unless legally required to retain.
Analytics Data
Aggregated, anonymized usage data may be retained indefinitely for platform improvement.
⚖️ 9. Your Privacy Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
🔍 Access
Request a copy of the personal information we have about you.
✏️ Correction
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
🗑️ Deletion
Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements).
📦 Portability
Request transfer of your data to another service provider.
How to Exercise Your Rights: Contact us at [email protected] with your request. We will respond within 30 days.
🔗 10. Third-Party Services
Our platform integrates with various third-party services to enhance functionality:
💳 Payment Processors
Stripe, PayPal, and other secure payment providers process financial transactions. They have their own privacy policies and security measures.
📧 Email Services
We use email service providers to send notifications and updates. Your email address is shared only for this purpose.
📊 Analytics
Google Analytics and similar services help us understand website usage. These services use cookies and may collect anonymized data.
External Links: Our website may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party websites.
📞 11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
🏢 USA Science Olympiad Privacy Team
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 1-800-USA-PRIVACY
📬 Mail: USA Science Olympiad Privacy Officer
[Organization Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
🌐 Website: https://uoly.org/privacy
📋 Privacy Requests
For data access, correction, or deletion requests, please include your full name and email address.
⏱️ Response Time
We will respond to privacy inquiries within 30 days of receipt.
🔄 12. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements:
Notification of Changes
We will notify users of material changes via email and website notice at least 30 days before they take effect.
Effective Date
The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when the most recent changes were made.
Continued Use
Your continued use of our services after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
✅ Privacy Commitment
Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to transparent data practices and protecting your personal information. Thank you for trusting USA Science Olympiad with your privacy!
🔗 Related Information
Additional policies and resources for your privacy protection