Privacy Policy
At ChuoAI, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our service. Please read this policy carefully.
1. Introduction
ChuoAI ("we," "us," or "our") operates an AI-powered academic assistance platform accessible at our website. This Privacy Policy describes our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of information when you use our Service.
By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.
Scope: This Privacy Policy applies to all users of ChuoAI, including visitors, registered users, and subscribers. It covers information collected through our website, web application, and any related services.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
We collect information that you provide directly to us when you:
- • Account Information: Name, email address, password (hashed and encrypted)
- • Profile Information: Optional profile details you choose to provide
- • Content: Text, documents, and other materials you input into our AI tools
- • Payment Information: Payment method details (processed securely by third-party providers)
- • Communications: Messages, feedback, and support requests you send to us
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you use our Service, we automatically collect certain information, including:
- • Usage Data: Features used, timestamps, session duration, and interaction patterns
- • Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version
- • IP Address: Your Internet Protocol address and approximate location
- • Log Data: Server logs, error reports, and performance metrics
- • Cookies & Tracking: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies (see Section 8)
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third-party services:
- • Payment Processors: Transaction status and payment confirmation
- • Authentication Providers: If you sign in using third-party services
- • Analytics Services: Aggregated usage statistics and insights
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
3.1 Service Provision
- • Process and deliver AI-generated content and responses
- • Manage your account, subscriptions, and credit balance
- • Process payments and manage billing
- • Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
- • Send service-related notifications and updates
3.2 Service Improvement
- • Analyze usage patterns to improve our AI models and features
- • Train and refine AI algorithms (using anonymized and aggregated data only)
- • Identify and fix technical issues
- • Develop new features and functionality
3.3 Communication
- • Send important updates about your account or the Service
- • Respond to your questions and support requests
- • Send marketing communications (with your consent, which you can opt out of)
- • Notify you about changes to our Terms or Privacy Policy
3.4 Legal & Security
- • Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
- • Enforce our Terms of Service and prevent fraud or abuse
- • Protect the rights, property, and safety of users and our company
- • Investigate security incidents and prevent unauthorized access
AI Training: We may use anonymized and aggregated data to improve our AI models. We do not use your personal information or identifiable content for AI training without your explicit consent.
5. Data Storage & Security
5.1 Security Measures
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- • Encryption: Data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest (AES-256)
- • Access Controls: Role-based access and authentication requirements
- • Secure Infrastructure: Hosted on secure, compliant cloud platforms
- • Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing
- • Password Security: Passwords are hashed using bcrypt and never stored in plain text
5.2 Data Location
Your data is stored on secure servers located in:
- • Primary: United States (Supabase, Vercel)
- • Backups: Multiple geographic regions for redundancy
By using our Service, you consent to the transfer and storage of your data in these locations.
5.3 Security Limitations
Important: While we implement robust security measures, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information. You use our Service at your own risk.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:
6.1 Account Data
- • Active Accounts: Retained while your account is active
- • Deleted Accounts: Deleted within 30 days of account deletion request
- • Inactive Accounts: May be deleted after 2 years of inactivity
6.2 Content Data
- • User Inputs: Retained for service functionality and history
- • Generated Outputs: Stored for your access and reference
- • Deleted Content: Permanently deleted within 30 days
6.3 Legal Requirements
We may retain certain information longer if required by law, legal process, or to resolve disputes. This includes:
- • Payment and transaction records (7 years for tax purposes)
- • Legal compliance data (as required by applicable law)
- • Security and fraud prevention records
7. Your Rights & Choices
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
7.1 Access & Portability
- • Access: Request a copy of your personal information
- • Portability: Export your data in a machine-readable format
7.2 Correction & Deletion
- • Update: Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- • Delete: Request deletion of your account and data
7.3 Opt-Out & Preferences
- • Marketing: Unsubscribe from marketing emails (link in footer)
- • Cookies: Manage cookie preferences in your browser settings
- • Notifications: Adjust notification preferences in account settings
7.4 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@chuoai.co.tz. We will respond to your request within 30 days.
Verification: For security purposes, we may require verification of your identity before processing certain requests.
9. Third-Party Services
Our Service integrates with third-party services. These services have their own privacy policies:
Payment Processors
ZenoPay, M-Pesa, Airtel Money, TigoPesa
AI Providers
OpenAI, Anthropic
Hosting & Infrastructure
Supabase, Vercel
Analytics
Vercel Analytics
Note: We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
10. Children's Privacy
Our Service is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. We will delete such information upon verification.
Age Requirement: Users under 18 must have parental or guardian consent to use our Service, as stated in our Terms of Service.
11. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States and other jurisdictions where our service providers operate.
These countries may have different data protection laws than your country. By using our Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.
Safeguards: We implement appropriate safeguards (contractual, technical, and organizational) to protect your information during international transfers.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:
- • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- • We will notify you via email and/or in-app notification
- • Material changes will be announced 30 days before taking effect
- • Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
Your Rights: If you disagree with modified Privacy Policy, you may terminate your account before the changes take effect. Continued use after the effective date means you accept the new Privacy Policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Mailing Address
ChuoAI
Data Protection Officer
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
East Africa
Response Time: We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within 48 hours during business days (Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM EAT).