Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Shinobi Open-Source Academy ("SOS Academy", "we", "us", or "our") operates shinobi-open-source.academy and related community platforms. This policy explains what personal data we collect when you interact with our website, why we collect it, and how you can control it.

By using our website or submitting a form on it, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Joining the Academy — email address, name, GitHub handle, and the communities you select when you sign up through our "Join Academy" form.
• Mentor applications — email address, name, GitHub handle, areas of expertise, and any additional information you share about your motivation to mentor.
• Newsletter subscription — your email address, if you choose to subscribe to updates.

We also automatically collect limited, aggregated usage data (such as page views and general traffic patterns) through Vercel Analytics to help us understand how the website is used. This does not include cookies for tracking individuals across other websites.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your membership in SOS Academy communities
• Review and respond to mentor applications
• Send community event invitations, weekly updates, and announcements — only if you have opted in to receive them
• Match you with the right community and mentors
• Understand and improve how our website is used

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. How We Store and Share Information

Information submitted through our forms is sent securely to our backend systems and stored for as long as needed to operate the Academy and communities described above. We do not share your personal data with third parties except:

• With service providers who help us operate the website (such as hosting and analytics providers), under obligations to protect your data
• When required by law or to protect the rights and safety of SOS Academy and our community

5. The Hacker Platform

Some links on this website (such as "Start Hacking") take you to our separate member platform, where you sign in with your GitHub account. That platform has its own authentication flow governed by GitHub's own privacy practices for OAuth sign-in; we only receive the profile information GitHub shares with us to create and manage your account.

6. Your Choices

You can:

• Unsubscribe from emails at any time using the link in any message we send
• Ask us to access, correct, or delete your personal data by contacting us at contact@shinobi-open-source.academy

7. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date above.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, reach out at contact@shinobi-open-source.academy.