Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Chad Knowlton d/b/a Knowtopia (“we,” “us,” “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use Knowtopia on the web and in our mobile apps (the “Service”). By using the Service, you agree to the practices described here.

1) Who We Are & Contact

Data Controller/Business Operator: Chad Knowlton d/b/a Knowtopia (operated in Japan)
Email: contact@knopub.com

Last updated: 2025-02-12

2) Scope & Audience

Knowtopia is purchased by schools and individual consumers. Student users may access the app under the supervision of a parent/guardian or school. Only adults (18+) create accounts and manage purchases/subscriptions.

We operate primarily for customers in Japan. This policy is intended to align with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) and app store requirements. If you access the Service from other regions, your data may be processed outside your country.

3) Data We Collect

Account & Profile

Account identifiers (email, name) and authentication data.
Role/relationship info (e.g., parent/guardian, teacher/school).

Service Usage

Activity and progress metrics (e.g., quiz attempts, timestamps).
App settings and feature usage.
Aggregated usage analytics (e.g., screens visited, session counts).
Diagnostic/crash data to improve stability (may include device model/OS info).

Payments & Orders

Web store payments via Stripe (we receive order/payment status, not full card numbers).
In-app subscription status via RevenueCat/App Store/Google Play.
Fulfillment details for physical products (e.g., shipping name/address) when provided by you.

Automatically Collected

Log data (e.g., IP address, browser/app version, timestamps).
Cookies or similar technologies for essential functions (e.g., session state).
No personalized advertising and no ad-based profiling.

We do not intentionally collect persistent device identifiers beyond what platforms or integrated SDKs minimally require for security, analytics, subscriptions, or payments.

4) How We Use Data

Provide, operate, and improve the Service (e.g., quizzes, progress tracking).
Authenticate users, prevent fraud/abuse, and ensure security.
Process orders, subscriptions, and customer support requests.
Analyze aggregate usage to improve features and stability.
Comply with legal obligations and app store policies.

6) Children & Schools

Only adults (18+) create accounts and manage purchases. Students, including children, may use the Service under supervision of a parent/guardian or school. We minimize data collection for student use and do not serve personalized ads.

Where a child’s use requires personal data (e.g., progress), the supervising adult or school is responsible for obtaining any consent and providing any notices required by law in their jurisdiction.

7) Retention

Account/profile: retained while the account is active; deleted or anonymized after account deletion and any required settlement periods.
Usage analytics & logs: kept for a limited period needed for operations and improvement, then aggregated or deleted.
Orders & billing records: retained as required by tax/accounting laws.

8) Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature of the data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

9) International Transfers

Our processors (e.g., Firebase, Stripe, RevenueCat, Sanity) may process data on servers located outside Japan. By using the Service, you understand your information may be transferred internationally where protections may differ from those in your country. We take steps to handle such transfers consistent with applicable law.

10) Your Rights (APPI / Japan)

Subject to legal conditions/exceptions under APPI, you may request:

Access/Disclosure of retained personal data we hold about you.
Correction/Addition/Deletion of retained personal data that is inaccurate, etc.
Suspension of Use or Erasure of retained personal data (where requirements are met).
Suspension of Third-Party Provision of retained personal data.

To exercise these rights, email contact@knopub.com. We may need to verify your identity (and relationship to a student, if applicable). Some records (e.g., tax/transaction data) cannot be deleted while required by law.

11) Your Choices

Account deletion: You can delete your account on the “Delete Account” page. This removes access and schedules deletion of associated personal data subject to legal retention.
Cookies/Analytics: You can use browser settings to limit cookies. Some features require essential cookies. If you are supervising a child, configure device settings accordingly.
Marketing messages: If we send service-related announcements, you may not be able to opt out of strictly necessary communications (e.g., receipts, legal notices).

12) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes. If changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice (e.g., in-app notice or email). Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.