Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account, join a chapter, or interact with our Services, we may collect:

• Account information: full name, email address, password (securely hashed — we never store plain-text passwords), and profile photo (if provided)
• Chapter and role information: your university/chapter affiliation and your role within ABSA Network (e.g., member, chapter board member, regional leader)
• Communications: messages you send through our chat features, direct messages to other members, and content you post in chapter or network channels
• Event information: RSVPs, event check-ins, and attendance records
• Forms and inquiries: information submitted through contact forms, membership applications, chapter registration forms, testimonials, and event reports
• Payment information (donations/merchandise): if you make a donation or purchase through our Services, payment processing is handled by third-party processors (see Section 5). We do not store full credit card numbers.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our Services, we may automatically collect:

• Device and usage information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, pages visited, and time spent on pages
• Cookies and similar technologies: used to maintain your session, remember preferences, and understand how our website is used (see Section 6)

1.3 Information from Third-Party Sign-In

If you choose to sign in using Google, we receive basic profile information (name, email address, profile photo) as permitted by your Google account settings and your consent at the time of sign-in.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account
• Connect you with your selected chapter and display chapter-relevant content
• Enable communication features (chat, direct messages, announcements)
• Process event RSVPs and track attendance
• Send you important updates about ABSA Network, your chapter, and events (you may opt out of non-essential communications)
• Respond to inquiries submitted through contact and chapter forms
• Maintain the security and integrity of our Services, including detecting and preventing fraud or abuse
• Improve our Services through aggregated, anonymized analysis of usage patterns
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

3. How We Store and Protect Your Information

Your information is stored using Supabase, a secure cloud database and authentication provider. We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information, including:

• Encrypted storage of passwords
• Row-level security policies that restrict access to your data based on your account and chapter affiliation
• Access controls limiting which ABSA staff and chapter leaders can view certain information

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

4. Information Sharing Within ABSA Network

Because ABSA Network is organized around university chapters, certain information is visible to other members based on your chapter and role:

• Chapter members may see your name, profile photo, and chapter affiliation within chapter directories and communication channels
• Chapter board members and administrators (e.g., chapter presidents, vice presidents) may have access to chapter member lists, attendance records, and event RSVPs for their chapter in order to manage chapter activities
• Network-level administrators may have broader access across chapters for the purposes of network administration, support, and safety

We limit this internal sharing to what is reasonably necessary for ABSA Network's community and educational purposes.

5. Third-Party Services

We work with the following categories of third-party services, each of which has its own privacy practices:

• Supabase (database, authentication, and storage)
• Google (optional sign-in via Google OAuth)
• Payment/donation processors (e.g., for processing donations made through our Services)
• Email services (for account verification, password resets, and communications)
• Form services (for certain inquiry and registration forms, which may be hosted by a third-party form provider)
• Social media platforms (e.g., embedded Instagram content)

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third parties, as we are not responsible for their privacy practices.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you signed in
• Remember your preferences
• Understand how visitors use our website (analytics)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some features, including staying signed in.

7. Children's Privacy

ABSA Network chapters may include high school students who are minors. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all users, including minors, and we:

• Do not knowingly collect more information from minors than is necessary to provide our Services
• Limit visibility of minors' information according to the chapter-based access described in Section 4
• Encourage parents/guardians of minors to review this policy and contact us with any questions or concerns at the email listed in Section 11

If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information beyond what is described here without appropriate consent, please contact us so we can address it.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information (you can update most profile information directly in your account settings)
• Delete your account and associated personal information
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your information
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent (e.g., Google sign-in)

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in Section 11. We will respond to requests in accordance with applicable law.

Account Deletion

You may delete your account at any time through your account settings, or by contacting us. Deleting your account will remove your profile information and revoke your access to chapter-specific content. Some information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., financial records related to donations).

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our Services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable timeframe, except where retention is required for legal, accounting, or security purposes.

10. International Users

ABSA Network operates chapters across the United States and Canada. Your information may be stored and processed in either country, or in other countries where our service providers (such as Supabase) operate. By using our Services, you consent to this transfer and processing.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. If we make material changes, we will provide additional notice (such as an email notification or in-app notice) where appropriate.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us at:

ABSA Network
Email: missiondirector@absanetwork.com