Polaris Education Data Privacy Policy
The present education marketplace is flooded with AI-powered products that are essentially just ChatGPT “wrappers”, meaning these applications require students to interact directly and risk sharing sensitive data with chatbots. Without regulations and protections, these chatbots are not only open to the internet, allowing for potentially harmful student interactions, but student data may be used to refine those AI models and sold to third-parties for profit.
We collect clear consent on how all data is used, including detailed summaries of risks and benefits. Students actively choose to participate and we provide alternative, non-studied assignments for those who opt out.
We encourage users to avoid naming specific individuals or sharing sensitive details in conversations, while our processing automatically removes personally identifiable information from final reports. Our system monitors for red flags and potentially harmful content to ensure student safety.
We never market or sell student data to third parties, and our nonprofit charter legally prevents us from transforming into a for-profit entity. Your students' voices belong to your school community, not to advertisers or data brokers.
Last Updated: October 2nd, 2025
At Human Restoration Project ('the company', 'we', or 'us'), we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it as described in this privacy policy ('Policy' or the 'Privacy Policy'). This policy describes the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide when you use our product, Polaris Education ('the product', 'the service', 'the website', 'the app', or 'product'), and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information. Your use of the Product and Services and any information you provide on the Services are subject to the terms of this Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into and subject to our Terms of Service.
Geolocation Data | Coarse Location | Account Management Analytics Security & Compliance |
Behavioral Data | Product Interactions | Analytics App Functionality Developer Notifications Security & Compliance |
Sensitive Data | Race / Ethnicity* *We offer an optional demographic data collection feature that districts can choose to enable, allowing students and adults to voluntarily provide information about race/ethnicity before starting a session. This sensitive information is completely anonymized in all data queries and is never shared with third parties, other students, or participating adults. | Analytics App Functionality |
Usage Data | Product Interactions or Behavioral Data Usage Data | Developer Notifications Analytics Security & Compliance App Functionality |
Personal Data | Email Address Name Physical or Mailing Address* User ID *This is only relevant for schools and districts for financial and legal reasons. We do not collect physical or mailing addresses of typical users (e.g. students, educators). | App Functionality Security & Compliance App Functionality |
Web Browser Data | In-App Web Browsing | Analytics App Functionality |
Diagnostic Data | Diagnostics Crash Data | Analytics Security & Compliance App Functionality Developer Notifications |
User Content Data | Files & Documents In-App Content Customer Support In-App Messages Voice or Sound Recording | App Functionality Account Management Analytics Developer Notifications Security & Compliance Product Personalization |
Identifier Data | Digital User ID | App Functionality Developer Notifications Account Management Security & Compliance Analytics Product Personalization |
Financial Data | Transaction History | Account Management |
Calendar Data | Calendar | App Functionality |
We collect Personal Information you provide to us, as well as Personal Information collected automatically and from third-party sources as described below.
For the purpose of this section, Personal Information is defined as information that identifies, relates to or could reasonably be linked with or describes an individual or household, either directly or indirectly. We may combine, augment, or extend the data we collect with additional data from third-party sources.
Personal information of users is collected by a third party. Aggregated or combined information, representing a collective summary of data, is treated with the same level of confidentiality and protection as personally identifiable information (PII) on our platform.
Our product includes features that allow users to create content in the product or upload content to the product. We may ask for additional details to verify the identity of users on our platform.
Some user information may be shared or revealed in order to participate in social interactions. All social interactions of users through the product are logged, including private and direct messages, for review or audit.
We limit the collection of data to what is needed to support the features and functionality of the product and fulfill product requirements. This includes the context or purpose for which data is collected is indicated below. Data is not collected by the product or service for the purpose of tracking.
We do not allow partners and third-parties to create data profiles for personalized advertisements. Yes, we disclose the process by which we notify consumers who use our product of any material changes to our privacy policy. User-created content is reviewed, screened, or monitored by the company.
We maintain a formal Data Retention Policy to establish clear guidelines on the lifecycle management of our data, ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, bolster data security, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible and transparent data management practices within our organization.
Personal Data that we collect will be deleted when it is no longer necessary to provide you with our services. We delete Personal Data upon account cancellation or termination. In some cases, we may retain Personal Data beyond the length of time that you have an account with us in order to resolve disputes, comply with legal and compliance obligations, or otherwise.
Anonymized data, which is no longer attached to you personally, may be retained for longer periods of time.
Collected information is not shared with third parties. Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties. Data is shared for analytics. Data is shared for research and/or product improvement.
Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing. Third-party services are used to support the product. This includes account management, developer notifications, security and compliance, product personalization, analytics, first party marketing, and app functionality.
In the event that user information is shared with a third-party, that information is, or would be, shared in an anonymous or de-identified format. In the event that we de-identify data, the de-identification process is done with a reasonable level of justified confidence. Contractual limits are imposed on third-parties regarding the extent to which they can use personal information that we may disclose to them. User information cannot be transferred to a third party in the event of a merger, acquisition, or bankruptcy.
Third-parties with access to information are required to provide the same security protections as the company. We do not display your personal information that you have submitted to us or that we have collected in the product. This does not prevent users from posting their own personal information through social features or otherwise. Data is not collected by third-parties for the purpose of tracking.
Below is a list of our data sharing partners along with links to their privacy policies for your information.
To use our Products and Services, you are required to create an account. During the account creation process, we will collect certain information to establish and manage your account effectively. This information may include, but is not limited to, your name, email address, and a password of your choice.
Your account allows you to personalize your experience, track your activities, and access additional features. We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your account information in accordance with this privacy policy. We provide authorized employees a method to access or review a user's personal information in accordance with our security and access policies.
Users can control the use of their information through privacy settings. We understand the importance of safeguarding your data, and therefore, we provide methods to control and restrict access to it. Our platform is equipped with access control mechanisms, allowing you to define and manage permissions for your data.
When using Polaris, participants navigate through three distinct levels of consent with clear opt-in and opt-out options at each stage. These consent mechanisms are in addition to informational materials that districts send home to families prior to any Day of Listening session (materials provided by Polaris Education):
Data Authorization: Users must authorize broad data collection for school improvement purposes, understanding how their responses will be used to enhance educational experiences.
Audio Authorization: Users separately consent to voice recording, with clear communication that while all information is anonymized, their voice may be shared for school improvement purposes within the district.
Important Disclosures: Users are clearly informed that information may be de-anonymized in red flag situations or other circumstances as required by law, and that in rare cases their information might be de-anonymized due to false positives in our monitoring systems, with district leaders being notified.
Alternative Activity: Students who decline any level of consent are redirected to a resource page featuring activities focused on purpose-finding and self-reflection, providing a meaningful alternative while other students participate in Polaris sessions.
The Service may contain links to websites, mobile applications, and other online services operated by third parties. These links are not an endorsement of, or representation that we are affiliated with, any third party. In addition, our content may be included on web pages or in mobile applications or other online services that are not associated with us. We do not control websites, mobile applications or online services operated by third parties, and we are not responsible for their actions.
Third-party login is supported for authentication into our Product or Services. When you choose to log in to our services using third-party authentication, such as through social media accounts or other external identity providers, we collect certain information from your chosen third-party platform. This may include basic profile details, such as your name, email address, and profile picture. By opting for third-party login, you grant us permission to access and use this information for the purpose of creating and managing your account, as well as enhancing your overall experience with our services. We may also request additional permissions during the authentication process, depending on the requirements of the third-party provider.
Our Product may use cookies to help you personalize your online experience. A cookie is a text file that is placed on your hard disk by a web page server. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. Cookies are uniquely assigned to you, and can only be read by a web server in the domain that issued the cookie to you.
One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide a convenience feature to save you time. The purpose of a cookie is to tell the Web server that you have returned to a specific page. For example, if you personalize our Product, or register with our Product or Services, a cookie helps our Product to recall your specific information on subsequent visits. This simplifies the process of recording your personal information, such as billing addresses, shipping addresses, and so on. When you return to the Product, the information you previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the features that you customized.
Necessary cookies: Enable the core operation of our Products and Services and cannot be switched off in our systems. They include cookies that we use to help control secure areas of our site and to make sure it is accessible to you. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as a result.
Analytics cookies: These cookies allow us to collect information about patterns of behavior among people using the site. Analytics cookies allow us to count site visits and understand traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. We never collect any information from analytics cookies that could be used to personally identify you.
We do not ask users to participate in any third-party sweepstakes, contests, or other similar promotions.
Reasonable security practices are used to protect data. Employee or physical access to user information is limited. All data in transit is encrypted. Encryption may not be applicable to all data across every system and storage mechanism. Users are provided notice in the event of a data breach. While we currently do not offer multi-factor account protection*, we prioritize your privacy and security by implementing robust and comprehensive security measures.
*Most student devices and school email accounts do not allow third-party emails or phone verification, and requiring multi-factor authentication would likely create a significant burden on school technical staff who would need to help students and teachers access the platform.
We are actively exploring alternative methods to increase security while maintaining accessibility, and may offer multi-factor authentication as an optional feature in the future for districts that have the technical capacity to support it.
Except as otherwise provided, this section applies to residents of states where they have privacy laws applicable to us that grant their residents the rights described below.
For purposes of this section, “personal information” has the meaning given to “personal data”, “personal information” or similar terms under the applicable privacy laws of the state in which you reside. Please note that not all rights listed below may be afforded to all users and that if you are not a resident of the relevant states, you may not be able to exercise these rights. In addition, we may not be able to process your request if you do not provide us with sufficient detail to allow us to confirm your identity or understand and respond to it.
In some cases, we may provide a different privacy notice to certain categories of residents of these states, such as job applicants, in which case that notice will apply with respect to the activities it describes instead of this section.
Verification: Upon receipt of your request, we will initiate the identity verification process to confirm that you are the individual for whom we hold information in our system. This verification procedure necessitates your cooperation in supplying relevant information, allowing us to compare it with the details you previously furnished. Depending on the nature of your request, we may request specific information to align with our existing records, or we may reach out to you using a previously provided communication method (such as phone or email). In certain situations, alternative verification methods may be employed based on the circumstances.
Any personal information disclosed in your request will solely be utilized for the purpose of confirming your identity or validating your authority to make the request. We will make every effort to minimize the need for additional information for verification purposes. However, should it be impossible to verify your identity with the existing information in our records, we may request additional details to ensure security and prevent fraud. Any supplementary information you provide for verification will be promptly deleted upon the completion of the verification process.
Authorized Agents: Your authorized agent may be able to make a request on your behalf. However, we may need to verify your authorized agent’s identity and authority to act on your behalf. We may require a copy of a valid power of attorney given to your authorized agent pursuant to applicable law. If you have not provided your agent with such a power of attorney, we may ask you to take additional steps permitted by law to verify that your request is authorized, such as by providing your agent with written and signed permission to exercise your rights on your behalf, the information we request to verify your identity, and confirmation that you have given the authorized agent permission to submit the request.
Correction: You can request that we correct inaccurate personal information that we have collected about you.
Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information. Please note that once we process a deletion request, we may be unable to provide access or support to any past products or services. You have the option to opt-out of specific tracking activities related to targeted advertising, also referred to as interest-based advertising. According to the CCPA, this involves the 'sharing' of your personal information with advertising partners.
End users have the option to opt-out of their personal information being sold or shared with third parties. You have the right to request details on the personal information that we sold, shared, or disclosed to a third-party for a business purpose.
Users can exercise their privacy rights with Polaris Education by contacting their school district to access, correct, or delete their conversation data, or by opting out of audio recording during the consent process.
This service is designed for children under 13, requiring parental consent before collecting or disclosing personal information. Users cannot interact with untrusted individuals, including strangers and adults. We provide a dedicated section for children in our policies, and parents can withdraw consent for further data collection. Managed accounts are available, and we outline processes for entering education records into the product
Polaris Education will notify users of any material changes to our privacy policy by sending and email notification to the email address associated with their account at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such changes, allowing users adequate time to review the updated terms and make informed decisions about their continued use of our educational services.
In addition to modifying this Privacy Policy and updating the effective date, we will contact you (either through the product or otherwise) to gain your consent if we change or modify the practices in which data is collected.
Our agentic output is designed to solely use our provided database of articles, research, and resources, which is referenceable via the Polaris dashboard. Beyond that, Polaris is trained to exclusively summarize data and to not provide suggestions via other sources.
Therefore, any input to Polaris must correspond with a data inquiry on school (e.g. “What could we do to improve engagement in our 6th grade math curriculum?”). When behaving as programmed, Polaris should only respond to these types of questions. However, due to the nature of LLMs, it may respond to other random inquiries. Misuse of Polaris toward non-specifically designed purposes may result in the suspension and cancellation of services to the user. This extends to any problematic or nefarious uses of student data by the user, such as using data trends to promote incendiary statements.
Further, all suggestion reports and AI outputs are explicitly communicated to the user for use at a district-level. This means that all report information should only be communicated with its respective stakeholders (and not, for example, on a public school website or sent home to families).
Although we do not anticipate school conversations to steer toward crisis, we recognize that in conversations people may share information that goes beyond school feedback. In most cases, this information will simply be filtered out and not included in school reports. However, Polaris has a built-in “red flag detection” to ensure mandated reporting is complied with by school districts.
In any incident where a participant mentions: physical/sexual abuse, child neglect, emotional/psychological abuse, exposure to family violence, sex traffiking, suicidal ideation/attempts, serious threats of physical violence, threats against school personnel, carrying firearms/explosives, drug or alcohol use, and/or any other major violent or hate-driven act, Polaris will automatically trigger the following process:
When young people sign up for Polaris, our data consent agreement clearly communicates that this type of data input may result in de-anonymization.
Further, it is worth noting that we are taking all steps necessary to ensure the accurate logging of data. That said, there may be extraneous circumstances that lead to missed detection or false detection (e.g. poor audio quality, hypothetical stories, AI misidentification).
Polaris is designed as a supplementary tool to support existing safeguarding processes and does not replace mandatory reporting obligations or professional judgment. Polaris serves as one tool among many in comprehensive student safety protocols. Schools should maintain multiple detection and intervention systems rather than relying solely on any single technology. All school personnel remain legally required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or safety concerns through established protocols regardless of what Polaris detects or fails to detect.
Although we have built Polaris with the highest possible security measures, we recognize that there is always a chance of cybersecurity breaches. In the event of a data breach (the unauthorized access, disclosure, acquisition, or loss of personal data that compromises student or school information), our team will take the following steps:
Immediately (within 24 hours)
Breach Notifications (within 72 hours)
Ongoing
Data is retained for at least the duration of the school year in which the information is uploaded. Districts are required to re-authorize the use of this data each year or else risk automatic deletion of retained data. Data may be frozen or deleted earlier if in conjunction with Red Flag Detection (see above) or student/family/district request.
Unlike typical services that may require scrolling through pages of a Terms of Service and checking “yes”, we summarize our information in clear, easy to understand ways, and provide alternatives for students who do not want to participate.
This student-centered approach builds trust through transparency, empowerment through choice, and protection through robust safeguards that prioritize student welfare above all other considerations.
When using Polaris, participants are clearly instructed through three levels of consent, with preset opt-in and opt-out components in the tool. Note that these consent options are in addition to materials sent home to families by the district prior to a Day of Listening (provided by Polaris Education):
Authorization of broad data collection by the user for school improvement purposes.
Audio
Authorization of voice recording. All information is anonymized, but a user’s voice may be shared for school improvement purposes.
It is clearly communicated to the user that information is de-anonymized in “red flag situations” and/or any other circumstance as required by law; and that in rare circumstances their information may be de-anonymized by “false positives” to district leaders
In the event a user does not agree to any of the above, they will be redirected to a resource page with activities promoting purpose-finding and self-reflection, which serves as an alternative activity to complete while other students utilize Polaris
Polaris Education and Human Restoration Project are committed to creating tools that can be used by everyone. Our work is independently tested and audited by third party experts to ensure the highest quality of accessibility – both in terms of physical accessibility and Polaris outputs, use-cases, and its research library.
Polaris analyzes empathy interview data in four situations: 1) when we receive large amounts of data from a district, 2) when we get data from new unique question sets, 3) during regular testing periods, or 4) when a district conducts empathy interviews for the first time.
During analysis, our team manually tags the data and compares results with our automated process. This comparison shows us whether our automated system provides accurate information to schools and helps us improve our methods.
If you have questions on concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us using the means described in this section.
A grievance or remedy mechanism is available for users to file a complaint in the event their content or account is restricted or removed. Please use the information below to contact us.
Email: support@polariseducation.ai
Address: 1333 Buckeye Ave #1040, Ames, IA, 50010
Last Updated: October 2nd, 2025
By accessing or using Human Restoration Project's Polaris Education platform and services (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.
These Terms incorporate by reference our Privacy Policy, which details how we collect, use, and protect your information.
Polaris Education transforms student conversations into instant, actionable insights. It's data that drives real change instead of sitting in spreadsheets. Polaris Education is a robust tool to hear directly from students (and adults) about their school experience through three seamless phases:
The Service is owned and operated by Human Restoration Project, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
For Administrators: Administrators may only use Polaris Education to:
Administrators agree to:
For All Users: You agree to:
You agree not to:
Platform Manipulation:
Data Misuse:
Inappropriate Content:
Note: We actively monitor AI usage patterns and track the questions being asked on our platform to ensure appropriate use and student safety.
We reserve the right to immediately cancel access to Polaris Education if:
Such violations may be reported to appropriate authorities, school administration, and relevant oversight bodies.
Our complete data collection, use, and protection practices are detailed in our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy carefully to understand how we handle student information.
We comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Student data is used solely for the educational purposes outlined in these Terms and our Privacy Policy.
For users under thirteen (13) years old, we comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Parental or guardian consent must be obtained by the school or district before these students participate in Polaris Education. This consent process is the responsibility of the participating school or district.
Consent First:
Strategic Data Collection:
No Marketing or Selling of Data:
We use the following third-party services to support platform functionality, all of which are contractually required to provide the same security protections:
For complete details on our data sharing practices and links to third-party privacy policies, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
All content, features, and functionality of Polaris Education, including but not limited to the software, algorithms, design, text, graphics, and user interface, are owned by Human Restoration Project and protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.
Ownership:
License to Us:
Data Privacy Protections:
Student Recordings:
Data Constellation Dashboard:
AI-Generated Content:
Pricing for Polaris Education is determined on a district-by-district basis through direct negotiation between Human Restoration Project and the participating school or district. Fees are based on factors including but not limited to:
Payment terms, billing cycles, and invoicing schedules are established in the service agreement between Human Restoration Project and your institution. All billing is conducted at the institutional level, not at the individual user level.
Refunds may be issued within thirty (30) days of invoice date if requested in writing. Refund requests made after this period will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Free trials may be offered to interested districts upon inquiry. Trial terms, duration, and conditions will be communicated directly during the trial setup process.
AI-Generated Content: Polaris Education uses artificial intelligence to analyze student conversations and generate insights. While we implement robust measures to ensure accuracy, all AI systems have limitations:
Hallucination Mitigation: We limit the potential for AI "hallucination" (generating inaccurate information) by:
Educator Responsibility: Educators and administrators remain responsible for:
The only third-party content integrated into Polaris Education consists of analytics tools as outlined in our Privacy Policy. These tools collect usage data to help us improve the platform and do not provide educational content directly to users.
Definition: User-generated content in Polaris Education includes:
Content Guidelines:
Content Ownership and Use:
School Responsibility:
Human Restoration Project Verification:
Platform Access:
Information Access:
Data Deletion Requests: Parents and guardians have the right to request removal of their child's data from Polaris Education. To exercise this right:
Effect of Data Removal:
Parents may withdraw consent for their child's continued participation at any time by:
Upon consent withdrawal, no new data will be collected from the child, and existing data will be handled according to the parent's wishes and applicable law.
We reserve the right to modify, update, or discontinue features of Polaris Education at any time. For significant changes that materially affect functionality:
Uptime Commitment: Polaris Education is designed to be available as often as possible to support your educational needs. However, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service due to:
Communication:
No Warranties: We make no guarantees regarding service uptime percentages or availability during specific time periods. Service availability is provided on an "as is" basis.
Your institution may terminate its use of Polaris Education at any time by:
We may suspend or terminate institutional access to Polaris Education for:
Immediate Termination: We reserve the right to immediately terminate access without notice in cases of severe violations that could harm students or compromise platform integrity.
Notice for Other Violations: For non-emergency violations, we will typically:
Upon termination of service:
Data Handling:
Access:
Payments:
Survival: The following provisions survive termination: Intellectual Property Rights, Indemnification, Limitation of Liability, Dispute Resolution, and any other provisions that by their nature should survive.
No Guaranteed Results: While Polaris Education is designed to provide valuable insights into student experiences, we make no guarantees regarding:
Tool, Not Solution: Polaris Education is a tool to assist educators in understanding student perspectives. It does not replace:
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
Specific Disclaimers:
Your Responsibility: You are responsible for:
Maximum Liability: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HUMAN RESTORATION PROJECT'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY.
Excluded Damages: IN NO EVENT SHALL HUMAN RESTORATION PROJECT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:
This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise) and even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Exceptions: These limitations do not apply to:
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or damages. In such cases, our liability will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law. You may have additional rights that vary from state to state.
Human Restoration Project is committed to making Polaris Education accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We strive to follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards.
Accessibility Features:
Ongoing Commitment: We continuously work to improve the accessibility of our platform. If you encounter accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at support@polariseducation.ai.
Accommodations: Schools are responsible for ensuring that appropriate accommodations are provided to students with disabilities in accordance with IEP, 504, and other legal requirements when using Polaris Education.
For questions about these Terms, the Service, or to file a complaint:
Human Restoration Project
Email: support@polariseducation.ai
Address: 1333 Buckeye Ave #1040, Ames, IA, 50010
For privacy-related questions or to exercise privacy rights: Please see our Privacy Policy or contact us at the email address above.
For support or technical issues: Contact your school or district administrator, who will work with us to address your concerns.
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or Service features. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of these Terms.
For material changes to these Terms: