What Does This Policy Cover?
This Privacy Policy applies to Globe Simulator, operated by GlobeSimulator (“we,” “us,” or “our”), a platform. It explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you use our Service, including Globe Simulator for Education, and your choices regarding your information. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings given in our Terms of Service. If you do not agree with this policy, you must not use the Service.
1. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information:
(a) Information You Provide Directly
When you register for a Globe Simulator account, contact us, or use the Service, we may collect your username, first and last names, email address, birthdate (for paid account verification), and payment information (for paid accounts via Stripe). We also collect content you create or upload (e.g., playlists, visual designs, search queries, feedback).
(b) Information from Third-Party Applications
If you access the Service via Spotify, we may receive your Spotify user ID, access token, or public profile data you’ve authorized Spotify to share. You can unlink your Spotify account through Spotify’s settings to stop this data sharing. Always review third-party privacy settings before connecting to the Service.
(c) Information from Other Third Parties
We may collect information from public sources or third-party providers (e.g., social media platforms like X or Instagram) to personalize the Service. This may include your location, interests, or music preferences. You can opt out by emailing [email protected].
(d) Information Collected Automatically
We collect usage data (e.g., pages visited, music played, search queries) and device information (e.g., IP address, browser type) using cookies, web beacons, and device identifiers. This helps us improve the Service and personalize your experience. See our Cookies Policy [link to be added] for details.
(e) Location Data
We may collect approximate location data (e.g., from your IP address or payment provider) to personalize content, comply with local laws, and analyze usage trends.
(f) Content Within Your Account
We collect content you create to provide and enhance the Service.
2. How We Use Your Information
We might use your information to:
- Provide the Service, including account management, payment processing (via Stripe), and Spotify integration.
- Improve the Service through analytics, machine learning (with consent for user content), and troubleshooting.
- Personalize your experience by recommending music or visuals based on your preferences.
- Communicate with you about service updates, security alerts, or promotions (opt-out available for marketing).
- Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms of Service or Acceptable Use Policy, including analyzing content for copyright infringement or harmful material.
- Comply with legal obligations, such as responding to law enforcement requests or protecting our rights and users.
For Globe Simulator for Education, we do not use student data for advertising or AI training.
3. Sharing Your Information
(a) With Third-Party Service Providers
We share your information with vetted providers (e.g., Stripe for payments, Amazon Web Services for storage, Zendesk for support, Sentry for error monitoring) to operate the Service. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and comply with applicable laws.
(b) With Spotify
We share limited data (e.g., access tokens) with Spotify for music features, governed by Spotify’s Privacy Policy. You can revoke access via Spotify’s settings.
(c) Publicly Shared Content
Content you share publicly (e.g., playlists) may be visible to others and indexed by search engines. Copies may persist even after deletion.
(d) Business Transactions
Your information may be transferred during a merger, acquisition, or sale. We will notify you of any such changes via email or website notice.
(e) With Authorities
We may share your information with regulators or law enforcement to comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, address illegal activity (e.g., copyright infringement, harmful content), or protect Globe Simulator, our users, or others.
(f) Aggregated Data
We may share anonymized, aggregated data with third parties for analytics or research purposes.
(g) Administered Accounts
If you use an email address associated with an employer or organization (e.g., a school for education users), we may share your name, email, and account activity with that entity, which may control your account and content.
4. Globe Simulator for Education
Globe Simulator for Education is designed for students of all ages to use under the supervision of their teachers or educational institutions. A “Student” is an individual enrolled in a K-12 school (or equivalent) invited to use the Service by a teacher or administrator. We collect student data, such as names, school-provided email addresses, and educational content (e.g., playlists or designs), only when authorized by schools or teachers for educational purposes. We do not use student data for advertising or for training artificial intelligence models.
We share student data with third-party service providers (e.g., Amazon Web Services for data storage, Zendesk for user support, Sentry for error monitoring, Stripe for institutional payments) only as necessary to provide the Service. These providers are required to protect student data and comply with our privacy and security standards.
Schools may request to access, modify, or delete student data by contacting us at [email protected] using the authorized school email address. We verify the requester’s identity to protect student privacy. If a school terminates its Globe Simulator for Education account, we will delete associated student data as soon as reasonably practicable, subject to any legal obligations. If a student account remains inactive for 12 months, we will notify the associated email address and may delete the account after 3 months if no login occurs.
Student designs are private by default, accessible only to those specifically added by the student or teacher. Students may share designs publicly (e.g., via a link) only with teacher approval, and designs are not indexed by search engines unless explicitly enabled by the teacher. We may communicate with students for technical support purposes when requested by their teacher or school.
We are committed to protecting student privacy and work with schools to ensure data is handled responsibly. Parents or schools with questions about our data practices may contact us at [email protected].
5. Data Storage and Transfers
Your information may be stored and processed in Australia, the United States, the European Union, or other countries where our affiliates or providers operate. We use safeguards, such as contractual agreements, to protect data during cross-border transfers, ensuring compliance with applicable privacy laws.
6. Data Security
We implement industry-standard measures, including encryption and secure servers, to protect your data. You are responsible for securing your account credentials. While we strive to ensure security, no system is fully immune to breaches, and we are not responsible for third-party security failures.
7. Your Choices and Rights
(a) Managing Your Account
You can update your account information, adjust privacy settings, or opt out of marketing communications via your account settings or by emailing [email protected]. Service-related communications (e.g., security alerts) cannot be opted out of.
(b) Opting Out of Tracking
You can disable cookies or tracking via your browser or device settings, but this may affect Service functionality. See our Cookies Policy [link to be added] for details.
(c) Data Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or request portability of your data. Contact [email protected]. You can object to marketing uses of your data. We may not fulfill requests that infringe on others’ rights or violate legal obligations.
8. How Long We Keep Your Information
We retain your information as needed to provide the Service, comply with legal obligations, or for archival purposes. Upon account termination, we may keep data for a reasonable period to meet these needs. For Globe Simulator for Education, student data is deleted upon school request or after a period of inactivity, subject to legal requirements.
9. Additional Information for European Users
For users in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, GlobeSimulator, based in Victoria, Australia, is the data controller. We process data based on contractual necessity (e.g., to provide the Service), legitimate interests (e.g., improving the Service, preventing fraud), consent (e.g., for certain data uses), or legal obligations. You can withdraw consent or object to processing by emailing [email protected]. Data transfers outside the EEA/UK use safeguards like contractual agreements.
10. Additional Information for U.S. Users
Some U.S. states may grant you rights to access, delete, correct, or opt out of data sharing. We do not sell your data. To exercise these rights, contact [email protected]. We verify requests using your account email and, if needed, proof of residency.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements. Material changes will be notified via email or website notice. For Globe Simulator for Education, we will notify schools of changes affecting student data.
12. How to Contact Us
For questions, complaints, or to exercise data rights, contact:
Email: [email protected]