Value Lab — Privacy Policy
**Last updated:** 2025-12-25 **Audience:** Library partners (procurement) and end users (patrons/participants)
This Privacy Policy explains how Value Lab (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our platform and related services (the “Service”).
1) Summary
Value Lab is an entrepreneurship learning platform. We collect a limited set of information needed to:
- authenticate users and secure access
- save learning progress (curriculum + founder stories)
- support optional marketplace submissions and moderation
- respond to feedback and support requests
We do **not** sell personal information.
2) Information collection and use
We collect several types of information to provide and improve the Service.
A) Personal data (account information)
Collected through our authentication provider (Clerk) and synced to our database:
- email address
- name (if provided)
- profile image (if provided)
- role (student / organization / admin)
B) Usage & engagement data
Collected to operate the learning experience and improve the platform:
- learning progress signals (e.g., activities/blocks visited)
- timestamps associated with progress events
- founder story block visits
C) User-generated content (optional)
Collected only if you choose to provide it:
- marketplace/solution submission details (title, description, links, images you upload)
- submission status (draft/under review/published/rejected/unpublished)
- feedback you submit (message + optional category)
- basic client context with feedback (page path + user agent) to help debugging
D) Cookies and similar technologies
We (and our service providers) may use cookies or similar technologies for:
- session/authentication (for example, keeping you signed in)
- security
If you disable cookies, parts of the Service may not function correctly.
3) How we collect your data
We collect information when you:
- create an account or sign in
- use the Service (progress and engagement events)
- submit feedback or a marketplace solution
4) Use of data
We use information to:
- provide and maintain the Service
- secure accounts and prevent abuse
- save progress and personalize the experience
- operate marketplace review/moderation workflows
- provide support and respond to requests
- monitor and improve reliability (including error monitoring)
5) Disclosure of data
We share information only as needed to operate Value Lab:
Service providers
We use third-party service providers (for example, authentication and infrastructure providers) to operate the Service. They may process personal data on our behalf and are expected to protect it and use it only to provide services to us.
Admin and organization access (role-based)
Depending on your role and program configuration:
- admins may access data to support programs, moderate marketplace submissions, and triage feedback
- organization users may view program-level information for users they manage (where applicable)
Legal requirements
We may disclose information if required to comply with law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Value Lab, our users, or others.
6) Data retention
We retain information as long as needed to:
- provide the Service
- meet contractual obligations to library partners
- comply with legal requirements
Operational details: Data Retention & Deletion.
7) Security of data
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
Procurement overview: Security Overview.
8) Your rights and choices
You may request:
- a copy of your stored data (export)
- deletion of your data from Value Lab’s application database (with limitations for transactional records)
Operational endpoints (authenticated):
- `GET /api/user/data-export`
- `POST /api/user/delete-data`
**Note:** Deleting data in Value Lab’s database does not automatically delete your identity at the authentication provider (Clerk).
9) Children’s privacy
Value Lab is not intended to be used by children under 13 without appropriate consent and oversight by a parent/guardian and/or participating institution. If we learn we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate authorization, we will take steps to delete that information.
10) Links to other sites
The Service may contain links to third-party sites (for example, external resources). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites.
11) Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last updated” date and may provide additional notice as appropriate.
12) Contact
For privacy questions or requests, contact the Value Lab team through the platform’s feedback channels or your library’s program contact.