Privacy

Scope

This Privacy Policy explains how Ember, LLC. (“Ember,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information when you use our school community marketplace, related websites, and support services.

Information we collect

We collect information you provide directly, including your name, contact details, school community, account details, listings, photos, messages, transaction activity, pickup or delivery confirmations, and support requests.

We also collect technical and usage information such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, interactions, timestamps, and diagnostic logs. We may use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, maintain security, and understand how Ember is used.

Payments and payouts

Stripe processes buyer payments and seller and school payouts. Payment card and bank account details are provided directly to Stripe and are handled under Stripe’s terms and privacy practices. Ember may receive limited payment-related information, such as account identifiers, verification and payout status, transaction amounts, payment method type, and limited card or bank details such as the last four digits.

How we use information

We use personal information to create and secure accounts, verify school access, publish listings, enable buyer and seller communication, process transactions, calculate fees and school donations, arrange payouts, provide support, and send service-related notices.

We also use information to prevent fraud and misuse, enforce our Terms, resolve disputes, improve Ember, comply with legal obligations, and protect our users, schools, and the public.

How we share information

We share information with buyers, sellers, and participating schools when it is necessary to provide the marketplace and complete a transaction. We also share information with service providers that support payments, payouts, hosting, data storage, communications, analytics, security, and customer support.

We may disclose information when required by law; to investigate fraud, safety, or security concerns; to enforce our agreements; or in connection with a merger, financing, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or part of our business. We do not sell personal information for monetary payment or use it for third-party targeted advertising.

Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide Ember, maintain transaction and financial records, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, enforce our agreements, and meet legal obligations. Retention periods vary based on the type of information and why it was collected.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information. No system or transmission method is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your choices and rights

You may update certain account information through Ember and may ask us to access, correct, or delete personal information. Depending on where you live, you may have additional privacy rights. We may need to verify your request and may retain information where permitted or required for payments, security, recordkeeping, or legal compliance.

Children

Ember is intended for adults and authorized school community members. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. A minor may use Ember only through a parent or legal guardian who manages the account and accepts responsibility for its use. If you believe a child has provided personal information without appropriate consent, please contact us.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as Ember evolves. We will post the revised policy with a new effective date and provide additional notice when required by law. Continued use of Ember after an update means the revised policy applies.

Contact us

Questions or privacy requests can be submitted through our Help page.