Family LensWe care about your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your choices. It covers both our website and mobile app.
Who we are
Family Lens runs this website. Questions? Email us at contact@familylens.org.
What information we collect
Your account information:
- Email address and password (or sign-in through Google, Apple, or Facebook)
- Your name (if you sign in through a social account)
- Account settings and preferences
Information about your children: We collect only what you choose to share:
- Nicknames (not real names—we never ask for children's full names)
- Age ranges (like "7-9 years" or "10-12 years")
- Avatar selection (cartoon characters)
Reading and readiness information:
- Books you check for content readiness
- Books you add to your children's reading lists
- Reading status (want to read, currently reading, finished)
- Your feedback about whether books were appropriate for your child
- History of readiness checks you've run
Website usage data: On our website, we automatically collect technical details like your IP address, browser type, and which pages you view. We use Google Analytics on the website (not in the app).
What we DON'T collect: We don't collect children's real names, photos, location data, contact lists, or any social connections.
Cookies and analytics
Website only: Our website (not the mobile app) uses Google Analytics to understand how people use the site. It sets cookies (small files on your device) to track usage. This data is combined with everyone else's data—we don't use it to identify you personally.
You can:
- Turn off or delete cookies in your browser settings
- Opt out of Google Analytics everywhere using Google's opt-out tool
Mobile app: The Family Lens mobile app doesn't use cookies or third-party analytics tools.
How we use your information
We use your information to:
- Provide the Family Lens service—checking books for content readiness based on your child's thresholds
- Maintain your account and remember your preferences
- Store your children's reading lists and history
- Send you app updates and launch notifications (you can opt out)
- Send optional reading reminders if you enable notifications
- Answer your questions and provide support
- Improve the app and website based on how they're used
- Keep our service safe and secure
We'll only email you about Family Lens. You can unsubscribe from emails anytime by clicking the link in our messages or emailing us.
How we share information
We share your information with:
- Service providers: Companies that help us operate Family Lens:
- Supabase (database and authentication hosting)
- Open Library (book data lookup—we only send book titles/ISBNs, not your personal information)
- Google Analytics (website usage only, not in the app)
- Formspree (website waitlist signups)
- OAuth providers (Google, Apple, Facebook—only if you choose to sign in through them)
- Legal requirements: If the law requires it, or to protect the safety and security of Family Lens, our users, or the public.
- Business changes: If Family Lens is acquired or merged with another company, your information may transfer with that business.
We never sell your data or your children's information to advertisers, marketers, or data brokers.
Children's privacy (COPPA compliance)
Family Lens is designed for parents and caregivers to use—not for children to use directly. We take children's privacy seriously and comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
How we handle children's information:
- Parental control: Parents must create accounts and manage all information about their children. Children don't create accounts or sign in.
- Minimal data: We only collect what parents choose to share—nicknames (not real names), age ranges, and reading preferences.
- Parent consent: By creating a child profile, you (the parent) consent to our collection of that child's information as described in this policy.
- Parent rights: You can view, change, or delete your child's information anytime. See "Your choices and rights" below.
- No direct collection from children: Children under 13 don't interact with our service directly. Parents enter all information.
If you believe a child has provided us with personal information directly without parental consent, please email contact@familylens.org and we'll delete it.
Learn more about protecting children's privacy online at the FTC's website: consumer.ftc.gov.
How long we keep your information
We keep your information as long as your account is active. Specifically:
- Your account and children's profiles: Until you delete them or close your account
- Reading history and readiness checks: Until you delete them or close your account
- Anonymous usage data: We may keep aggregated, non-identifiable data longer for analytics
When you delete your account, we permanently delete all your personal information and your children's information within 30 days. This can't be undone.
Your choices and rights
You have full control over your information and your children's information:
- View and edit: Access and update your account and children's profiles anytime in the app
- Delete child profiles: Remove any child profile from the app settings
- Export your data: Download all your data in the app under Settings → Privacy & Data
- Delete your account: Permanently delete your account and all associated data from Settings → Privacy & Data
- Control notifications: Turn push notifications on or off in your device or app settings
- Unsubscribe from emails: Click the link in any email or update preferences in your account
You can also email us at contact@familylens.org for help with any of these actions.
Depending on where you live (like in California or the EU), you may have additional privacy rights under laws like GDPR or CCPA. We honor those rights as required by law.
Data storage and security
Where your data is stored: Your account information and children's data are stored securely in the cloud using Supabase (a trusted database provider). Some information (like your login session) is stored locally on your device.
How we protect it: We use industry-standard security measures including:
- Encryption for data sent over the internet (HTTPS/TLS)
- Encrypted storage of passwords
- Secure authentication through trusted providers
- Access controls so you can only see your own data
However, no internet transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we take reasonable precautions, we can't guarantee absolute security.
International visitors
We're based in the United States. If you visit from another country, your information will be processed here, where privacy laws may differ from yours.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy occasionally. When we do, we'll change the "Effective date" at the top and notify you (via email or in-app notification) if the changes are significant. Continuing to use Family Lens after changes are posted means you accept the updates.
Contact us
Questions about your privacy? Email us at contact@familylens.org.