Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Tech Innovators of America ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.

Note: This website is primarily intended for users in the United States. While we welcome visitors from around the world, our services and privacy practices are designed in accordance with US laws and regulations.

By using our website and services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number)
• School and grade level information
• Experience and background in STEM/engineering
• Information provided through our contact forms
• Newsletter subscription preferences

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may collect basic usage information through our analytics service, including:

• Pages visited on our website
• Basic website performance data
• General location information (city/country level only)

Important: We do not collect or store your IP address, personal browsing history, or any personally identifiable information through our analytics.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services
• To process chapter applications and mentor registrations
• To communicate with you about our programs and opportunities
• To send newsletters and updates (with your consent)
• To improve our website and services
• To comply with legal obligations
• To protect against fraud and abuse

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

WE DO NOT SELL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. We are committed to protecting your privacy and will never sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing or commercial purposes.

We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights and safety
• Your Consent: We may share information only with your explicit written consent

No Data Selling: We do not and will never sell your personal information to advertisers, marketers, or any other third parties.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication procedures
• Secure hosting and infrastructure

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use minimal cookies and tracking technologies to improve your experience on our website. These technologies help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze basic website traffic and performance
• Improve website functionality

No Advertising Cookies: We do not use cookies for advertising purposes or to track you across other websites.

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences, though disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

7. Third-Party Services

Our website uses trusted third-party services to provide you with the best experience:

• Website Hosting: Secure hosting services for our website
• Database Services: Secure storage for form submissions and data
• Social Media: Links to our Instagram page (external to our website)

Data Protection: All third-party services we use are bound by strict privacy agreements and do not have permission to use your data for their own purposes.

Our website may contain links to external websites (like social media). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for high school students and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age without parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will remove the information.

Student Data: For high school students, we collect only the information necessary to process chapter applications and mentor registrations, and we do not share this information with third parties.

9. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from any communications

No Marketing: We do not send marketing emails or promotional communications. Any emails we send are related to your specific requests (like form submissions).

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

10. Data Storage and Security

Your information is stored securely using trusted cloud services that comply with international data protection standards. We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Data Location: Our data is stored in secure, encrypted databases located in the United States and other countries with strong data protection laws.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

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