Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how EssayGuard (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, and protects information when institutions, instructors, and students use our browser-based writing platform and academic integrity tools.

The platform allows students to write assignments within a controlled writing environment while providing instructors with tools to review the writing process. This policy explains what data is collected, why it is collected, and how it is protected.

1. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to the EssayGuard writing platform used by educational institutions, instructors, and students.

When the platform is used through a school or university, the institution controls the student education records. EssayGuard processes this data on behalf of the institution as a service provider.

2. Information We Collect

The platform may collect the following categories of information:

Student account information (provided by the institution):

• name
• email address

Assignment and writing activity:

• text written in the document editor
• document revision history
• timestamps of writing activity
• paste events and pasted text within the document

Technical information:

• IP address
• browser type
• device metadata
• session logs used for system security and reliability

The platform records activity only within the assignment editor and does not capture activity outside the document environment.

3. How Information Is Used

Collected information is used solely to provide and operate the educational service, including:

• enabling students to compose and submit assignments
• providing instructors with tools to review the writing process
• identifying pasted content or unusual writing patterns
• maintaining system security and reliability
• supporting academic integrity review

We do not use student information for advertising or marketing.

4. FERPA Compliance

When the platform is used by an educational institution, EssayGuard acts as a “School Official” with Legitimate Educational Interest under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Student education records are processed only for purposes authorized by the institution and remain under the control of the institution.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell or rent student data.

Student data may be shared only with:

• the educational institution using the platform
• instructors reviewing student assignments
• infrastructure providers necessary to operate the service (such as secure cloud hosting providers)

All service providers are required to maintain appropriate data protection safeguards.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect data from unauthorized access, including:

• encrypted connections (HTTPS / TLS)
• access controls limiting employee access
• secure infrastructure and monitoring
• internal confidentiality obligations for personnel with access to data

7. Data Retention

Student data is retained only as long as necessary to provide the service.

Educational institutions may request deletion of student data at any time. Upon termination of the service agreement, student data will be deleted or returned to the institution within a reasonable period of time.

Data can be deleted per semester, or per month, or at any interval the school prefers.

8. Student Rights

Students using the platform through a school or university should direct privacy requests to their institution.

Because student records are controlled by the institution, requests regarding access, correction, or deletion of education records must be handled by the institution in accordance with FERPA.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect improvements to the platform or changes in legal requirements.

Updated policies will be posted within the platform or provided to institutions using the service.

10. Contact Information

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to: