Introduction
InitiateHub Ltd ("we," "us," or "our") operates the Encyclopedia: Kids Learning mobile app and the initiatehub.com website (together, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy describes what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Service, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
Social login
Encyclopedia: Kids Learning lets you sign in using Google or Apple authentication. When you use social login, we may receive your email address, your name, your profile picture (if available), and a unique identifier from the authentication provider. We do not collect personal data beyond what is necessary for authentication and account management.
User progress and activity data
We collect and store the in-app activity needed to power the learning experience: study progress, achievements, leaderboard standings, and (if a parent enables it) behavior-reward activity. This data is used solely to operate the Service and is never shared with or sold to third parties.
Payments and subscriptions
Where premium features exist, we collect the data necessary for processing payments and managing subscriptions: payment information and subscription type and duration. Payment processing itself happens through Apple App Store, Google Play, or RevenueCat — we do not store full card numbers.
Automatically collected information
We use Firebase Analytics (configured for child-directed treatment) to monitor app stability and aggregate feature usage. Data collected includes device type, operating system version, anonymized usage statistics, and IP-based country-level location for content localization. We do not use Google Analytics or any advertising-network analytics.
YouTube API
Encyclopedia integrates the YouTube API to display the educational video paired with each topic. Through this integration we access publicly available video and channel metadata only. Data accessed via the YouTube API is subject to Google's Privacy Policy; users are also subject to YouTube's Terms of Service while interacting with YouTube content through the Service.
How We Use Your Information
- To process transactions and manage access to any premium features
- To analyze aggregate usage and improve the Service
- To track learning progress, display achievements, sync across devices, and (where enabled) generate parent insight summaries
Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your information to outside parties, except for the limited purposes of operating the Service (see "Service providers" below) or complying with legal requirements.
User Rights
You have the right to access a copy of your personal data, request correction or deletion, request your data in a portable format, and withdraw consent at any time by deleting your account. You can delete your account immediately from inside the app (Parent Dashboard → Settings → Delete Account), and the app also includes a built-in tool for sending feedback and bug reports. To exercise these rights, manage your account in the app or contact us at [email protected]. We respond within 30 days.
Data Retention
We retain personal data while your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. You can delete your account at any time directly in the app (Parent Dashboard → Settings → Delete Account); your account and personal data are removed immediately, and any backups are purged within 30 days, except where retention is required for legal or regulatory purposes.
Children's Privacy (COPPA)
Encyclopedia: Kids Learning is designed for children ages 5–12. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar international regulations including GDPR-K. Children's privacy is the most carefully designed surface of the product.
Information we collect from children
With parental consent, we collect:
- Child's first name or nickname (for profile display only)
- Age (to personalize content difficulty)
- Learning progress (topics read, quiz scores, achievements)
- Avatar selection
- Flashcard study progress
- Behavior-rewards activity (if enabled by parent)
We do NOT collect from children:
- Email addresses (only parent accounts have emails)
- Physical addresses or phone numbers
- Photos, videos, or audio recordings
- Precise geolocation data
- Advertising identifiers
- Social media account information
How we use children's information
- To personalize learning content for the child's age level
- To track educational progress and display achievements
- To show leaderboard rankings using nickname only — never real names
- To sync progress across devices linked to the parent account
We do not use children's data for advertising, marketing, or any purpose other than providing the educational service.
Service providers
| Service | Purpose | Data shared |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Authentication | Parent account login | Parent email only (not children) |
| Firebase Analytics | App performance monitoring | Anonymized usage data (child-directed treatment enabled) |
| MongoDB | Secure data storage | Encrypted learning progress |
| RevenueCat | Subscription management | Parent payment info only (behind PIN gate) |
| YouTube API | Educational video display | Public video metadata only |
Encyclopedia does not use advertising networks. No ads are shown to children, ever.
Parental consent
Parents provide verifiable consent when:
- Creating a parent account using Google or Apple Sign-In (adult authentication)
- Creating child profiles within the app
- Accepting these terms during account setup
Parents can withdraw consent at any time by deleting child profiles in the app or contacting us.
Parental rights
Parents and legal guardians have the right to:
- Review their child's personal information
- Request deletion of their child's data
- Refuse further collection of their child's information
- Request a copy of their child's data in a portable format
To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We respond within 30 days.
Data retention for children
- Active accounts: data retained while the account is active
- Deleted profiles & accounts: removed immediately when deleted in the app; any backups purged within 30 days
- Inactive accounts: accounts inactive for 24 months may be deleted with prior notice to the parent email
Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information, including secure servers, encrypted transport, and at-rest encryption of stored progress data.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be announced in the app and on this page, with the "Last updated" date revised above.
Contact
Questions, deletion requests, or anything else: [email protected].