Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Terp Notes ("we," "our," or "us") is an independent, student-run platform that facilitates note-sharing among university students. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the University of Maryland or any other educational institution.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our platform. By using Terp Notes, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

• Email Address: Required for account creation and verification
• Name: First and last name for identification
• Username: Unique identifier for your account
• Password: Encrypted and securely stored

2.2 Uploaded Content

• Files: Documents, images, and other materials you upload
• Metadata: File names, descriptions, class codes, upload dates
• User Attribution: Your username is associated with your uploads

2.3 Usage Data

• Activity Logs: Upload, download, and deletion activities
• IP Addresses: For security and rate limiting purposes
• Browser Information: To ensure compatibility

3. How We Use Your Information

• Account Management: Create and maintain your account
• Email Communications: Send verification emails, notifications, and updates
• Platform Security: Detect and prevent abuse, fraud, and violations
• Service Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to improve features
• Content Moderation: Review reported files and enforce policies

4. Data Storage and Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data:

• Encryption: Passwords are hashed using bcrypt
• Secure Transmission: HTTPS encryption for all data transfers
• Cloud Storage: Files stored on AWS S3 with private access controls
• Database Security: MongoDB Atlas with authentication and encryption
• Virus Scanning: Uploaded files scanned with VirusTotal (70+ engines)

Note: No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do NOT sell your personal information. We may share data only in these circumstances:

• Public Visibility: Your username and uploaded files are visible to other users
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or in response to valid legal requests
• Safety and Security: To protect against fraud, abuse, or threats
• Service Providers: Third-party services (AWS, MongoDB, VirusTotal) that help operate the platform

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Access: View your account information and uploaded files
• Modification: Update your name, email, and password
• Deletion: Delete files you've uploaded
• Account Deletion: Contact us to request account deletion
• Email Preferences: Opt out of non-essential communications

Note: Usernames cannot be changed once created.

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies and session management to:

• Keep you logged in to your account
• Remember your preferences
• Ensure platform security

We do NOT use advertising or tracking cookies for third-party purposes.

8. Student Privacy (FERPA)

While we are not an official educational institution, we recognize the importance of student privacy. We do not:

• Share your academic information with educational institutions
• Track your grades or academic performance
• Report your usage to any school or university
• Disclose your educational records without consent

9. Children's Privacy

Terp Notes is intended for college students (18+). We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18. If you are under 18, please do not use this platform.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at:

Contact Support