Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information Academia ("we", "us", "our") collects when you use our website and application, why we collect it, how we store and protect it, and the choices you have. By using Academia you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information we collect

Account information. When you sign up we collect your email address, display name, profile picture (if you add one), year level, and the password or sign-in provider credentials used to secure your account.

Content you create or upload. Subjects, tasks, assessments, notes, timetable entries, calendar events, flashcards, goals, files, books and any other material you add to the app.

Payment information. Purchases are processed by our payment provider (Stripe). We never see or store your full card number; we receive only your subscription status, billing period, and the last few card details the provider shares with us.

Usage and device information. Basic technical information such as browser type, device type, and app preferences (for example your appearance and time-format settings) used to operate and improve the service.

2. Google user data

If you choose to connect your Google account, Academia requests access to specific Google services with your explicit consent. Our use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Depending on the features you enable, we may request these Google scopes:

• Basic profile (openid, email, profile) — used to identify your account and display which Google account you connected. We do not use this for advertising.
• Google Drive (drive) — used only to list files for you to choose, import files you explicitly select into your Academia classes, and save copies of files you upload to Academia into an "Academia" folder in your own Drive. This permission is required because Google's narrower permission cannot list existing files for import. We do not inspect or modify Drive files unless you choose an action in the app.

We do not:

• Sell, rent, or share Google user data with third parties for advertising or any other purpose.
• Use Google user data to train AI or machine-learning models.
• Read your Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, or any Google data outside the scopes listed above.
• Allow humans to read your Google data, except with your explicit request for support, for security or legal compliance, or where the data is aggregated and anonymised.

Your Google connection is stored as an encrypted credential linked only to your account. You can disconnect Google Drive at any time from Settings, which revokes our access and deletes the stored credential. You can also revoke access directly from your Google account's security settings.

3. How we use your information

• To provide, operate and sync the app's features across your devices.
• To process payments and manage your subscription.
• To respond to support requests you send us.
• To send service-related notices (for example account or billing emails).
• To maintain security, prevent abuse, and enforce our Terms.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not show you third-party ads.

4. AI features

Academia includes AI-assisted features (for example flashcard generation). Content you submit to these features is processed to produce the output you requested. We do not use your content to train third-party models.

5. Data storage and security

Your data is stored on secure, access-controlled servers. Passwords are handled by our authentication provider and are never stored in plain text. Connections to the app are encrypted in transit (HTTPS), and sensitive credentials such as your Google connection are stored encrypted at rest.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we apply industry-standard measures to protect your information.

6. Data retention and deletion

We keep your data for as long as your account is active. When you archive a term, your content stays readable in the archive, except uploaded books, which are removed to free up storage. Deleting your account removes your profile and content from active systems, subject to records we must keep for legal, tax, or fraud-prevention purposes.

7. Third-party services

We rely on a small number of providers to run the service:

• Stripe — payment processing (governed by Stripe's privacy policy).
• Google — only if you connect Google sign-in or Google Drive (governed by Google's privacy policy).
• Hosting and database infrastructure — secure cloud hosting that stores and serves the app and your data.

These providers only receive the information needed to perform their function and are bound by their own privacy obligations.

8. Your rights and choices

• Access, correct, or export your information from within the app.
• Delete individual items (files, notes, tasks) at any time.
• Disconnect third-party accounts (such as Google Drive) from Settings.
• Cancel your subscription at any time from the Billing page.
• Request account deletion by contacting us through the support page.

9. Children

Academia is a study tool that may be used by students. If you are under the age of digital consent in your region, please use the app with a parent or guardian's permission. We do not knowingly collect more information from children than is needed to provide the service.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes we will update the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the app or by email. Continued use after changes means you accept the updated policy.

11. Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Reach us through the support page.