Privacy Policy

1. Scope and Applicability

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Visitors to the ScholarLedger website;
• Registered Users with accounts;
• Users who upload, publish, or store academic or creative content;
• Users who access public-facing profiles, portfolios, or works;
• Users of any ScholarLedger browser extensions, APIs, or integrations.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to:

• Third-party websites, services, or platforms linked from the Services;
• Content or data controlled exclusively by third parties;
• Information collected offline or outside the Services unless expressly stated.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in several categories, depending on how you interact with the Services.

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

You may provide the following categories of information:

Account Information

• Name, username, or display name;
• Email address;
• Password or authentication credentials;
• Academic affiliation(s), if provided;
• Profile photo or avatar (optional).

Content and Submissions

• Essays, papers, research projects, writing samples, or other uploaded materials;
• Metadata associated with uploaded content (title, date, course name, tags);
• Visibility settings (public, private, restricted).

Communications

• Messages sent to ScholarLedger support;
• Feedback, feature requests, or survey responses;
• Communications sent through the platform where applicable.

Payment Information (if applicable)

• Billing name and address;
• Payment method details (processed by third-party payment processors; ScholarLedger does not store full card numbers).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access the Services, we automatically collect certain information:

Device and Usage Data

• IP address;
• Browser type and version;
• Operating system;
• Device identifiers;
• Pages viewed, features used, time spent, referring URLs;
• Dates and times of access.

Log Data

• Server logs;
• Error reports;
• Authentication events.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

• Session cookies;
• Persistent cookies;
• Local storage and similar tracking technologies.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit functionality.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Authentication providers (e.g., Google, institutional login systems);
• Analytics providers;
• Payment processors;
• Cloud hosting or infrastructure vendors;
• Academic or institutional partners (where applicable).

We treat such information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

3. How We Use Information

We use information for the following purposes:

3.1 Core Service Functionality

• Creating and managing user accounts;
• Hosting, storing, and displaying content;
• Enabling public and private content visibility settings;
• Generating user profiles, metrics, or scores;
• Enabling browser extension functionality.

3.2 Platform Integrity and Improvement

• Monitoring performance and usage trends;
• Debugging and error correction;
• Developing new features;
• Improving usability, security, and scalability.

3.3 Communications

• Responding to inquiries and support requests;
• Sending administrative or transactional messages;
• Providing updates regarding changes to Services or policies.

3.4 Legal, Safety, and Compliance

• Enforcing the Terms;
• Detecting fraud, abuse, or violations;
• Complying with legal obligations;
• Responding to lawful requests from authorities.

4. Public vs. Private Content — Critical Disclosure

4.1 User-Controlled Visibility

ScholarLedger allows Users to designate content as:

• Public (viewable by anyone);
• Private (accessible only to the User);
• Restricted (accessible to selected parties).

You are solely responsible for selecting appropriate visibility settings.

4.2 Public Content Risks

Public content may be:

• Indexed by search engines;
• Accessed, copied, downloaded, or redistributed by third parties;
• Stored or archived outside ScholarLedger's control;
• Used by others without attribution.

Once content is made public, ScholarLedger cannot control or retract downstream use, even if the content is later made private or deleted.

4.3 No Plagiarism Detection or Policing

ScholarLedger:

• Does not actively monitor public content for plagiarism;
• Does not verify originality, authorship, or ownership;
• Does not guarantee protection against copying or misuse.

Users assume all risks associated with making content public.

5. Disclosure of Information

We do not sell personal information. We may disclose information only as follows:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share information with vendors who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Cloud hosting;
• Analytics;
• Security monitoring;
• Payment processing;
• Email delivery.

Such providers are contractually restricted from using data for any purpose other than providing services to ScholarLedger.

5.2 Legal and Regulatory Disclosures

We may disclose information if required to do so by law or in good-faith belief that such action is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations;
• Protect rights, property, or safety;
• Enforce our Terms;
• Respond to lawful government requests.

5.3 Business Transfers

In connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

6. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to provide the Services, fulfill contractual obligations, comply with legal requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

Deleted content may persist in backups or logs for a limited period.

7. Data Security

We implement commercially reasonable technical and organizational safeguards designed to protect information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration.

However:

• No system is completely secure;
• We cannot guarantee absolute security;
• You use the Services at your own risk.

You are responsible for safeguarding your login credentials.

8. User Rights and Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to:

• Access personal information;
• Correct inaccurate information;
• Request deletion;
• Object to certain processing;
• Withdraw consent.

Requests may be submitted to: yavinfickel at gmail dot com

We may require identity verification and may deny requests as permitted by law.

9. Children's Privacy

The Services are not intended for individuals under 13 (or under 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware of such collection, we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

10. International Users

If you access the Services from outside the United States, you acknowledge that information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions with different data protection laws.

11. Third-Party Links and Integrations

The Services may link to or integrate with third-party services. ScholarLedger is not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. Review their policies independently.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be effective upon posting. Continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact:

Email: yavinfickel at gmail dot com