In short
- No account, no advertising, no analytics and no tracking.
- Your plans, questions, notes and Backpacks stay on your device unless you choose to export or share them.
- When you choose Check links, the linked websites receive the web addresses saved in the selected Backpack, including any information written in those addresses. Nothing runs automatically.
- Exports go only where you send them with the Share sheet.
- Staff: do not enter student education records unless your institution has approved this use.
Who is responsible
Education Compass is created by Tristin Hassell and published through Gathered Commons Press LLC. The party responsible for this policy is Gathered Commons Press LLC. Contact us through Education Compass support page or at hello@gatheredcommonspress.com.
Information stored on your iPhone or iPad
Education plans, drafts, notes and the Backpacks you import are saved in the app’s private storage on your device. Files the app prepares for saving are protected with iOS file protection, kept out of device backups, and removed from temporary storage after you save or share them. Whether other app data is included in iCloud or computer backups depends on your device’s backup settings. Deleting the app removes its stored information from the device.
Network use on iPhone and iPad
Planning, saved reference search and Backpack editing work offline. The app does not send your work to Gathered Commons Press and contains no analytics or advertising.
Check links is an optional online action. After you choose it and confirm, the app asks the websites linked in the selected Backpack whether those addresses still work. Each website receives the requested address, including its path and any information after a question mark. You can enter or edit these addresses, so keep private information out of them.
The app adds no cookies, plans, questions, notes, recordings or Backpack file to these requests, and no developer account or device identifier. It does not retain cookies or a saved copy of the response. Importing or editing a Backpack does not check its links automatically.
Opening a link in your browser is a separate action, and the destination website’s privacy practices apply.
How link checking is described for privacy
Web addresses you enter or edit and send through Check links fall under Other User Content. They are used only to check the links (App Functionality), are not linked to you, and are not used for tracking. Fixed public reference links contain no information you have entered. The app does not attach your plans or other saved work to either kind of request.
Microphone and Audio Notes
Audio Notes asks for the microphone only when you choose to record. Recording runs while the app is open, the audio stays in the app’s memory until you save a copy or close the notes, and nothing is uploaded. This version does not transcribe audio; you can type or paste a transcript. Recording rules, consent and your institution’s records policies still apply. You can turn microphone access off in Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone.
Semester plan PDF and feedback
A semester plan PDF, including any “Prepared for” name you enter, is created on your device and goes only where you send it with the Share sheet. Send feedback opens an email to us in your mail app; nothing is sent unless you send it.
Imports and exports
You choose which archive or file to import. When you export, the iOS Share sheet sends the file only to the destination you pick, such as Files, Mail or AirDrop. We cannot recall a file after it has been shared.
Student information and FERPA
Education Compass is a planning and reference tool. It is not a student information system, and it is not an official product of a college, district, learning-platform provider or other institution.
If you are a counselor, instructor or staff member, follow your institution’s rules before entering information about a student. Use de-identified examples where you can, keep exports inside systems your institution approves, and do not place education records on a personal device without approval. Students may use the app for their own planning and should confirm official requirements with their institution.
Children
Education Compass is intended for adults and college students. It is not directed to children under 13.
Messages you send us
If you write to us through the contact form or by email, we receive your name, email address and message and use them only to reply and to improve the app. The website privacy policy explains how long we keep these messages. Please leave passwords, access keys and other people’s private records out of your message.
Your requests
Information the app keeps on your own device or computer can be viewed, exported and deleted there. Information held by a service you connect is controlled by them, as described above. To ask about information you have sent us, or to have it deleted, contact us as above. We respond within 30 days. California residents have these rights under California law, and we extend them to everyone.
Changes to this policy
If a future version changes what the app stores or sends, we will update this page before that version is released and change the date above.