Introduction and Scope
ClassCircles operates a privacy-first alumni networking platform for Japanese school graduates. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform that integrates with Facebook to create verified cohort-based communities.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining transparency about our data practices. This policy applies to all users of ClassCircles, including individual members, school chapter administrators, and business partners.
Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us when you create an account, including your Facebook login credentials (used solely for authentication), school affiliation, graduation year, and profile information you choose to share with your cohort.
We automatically collect certain technical information when you access our platform, including your IP address, browser type, device information, and usage patterns. This data helps us maintain security, improve our services, and provide a better user experience.
When you interact with other members through reunion planning, mentorship matching, or job board features, we collect the communications and interactions necessary to facilitate these connections within your verified alumni network.
How We Use Your Information
Your information is used primarily to verify your school affiliation and graduation year, automatically grouping you with your authentic classmates. We use your data to facilitate connections within your cohort, enable reunion planning, match mentorship opportunities, and provide access to alumni-exclusive job listings and local business discounts.
We analyze aggregated, anonymized usage data to improve our platform features, develop new tools that serve alumni communities better, and ensure the security and integrity of our network. We may use your contact information to send service-related announcements, updates about your school chapter, and notifications about relevant opportunities within your network.
Facebook Integration and Data Handling
ClassCircles layers on top of Facebook to streamline authentication and initial profile setup. We only access the minimum Facebook data necessary to verify your identity and facilitate your connection to the appropriate school cohort. We do not store your Facebook password or access information beyond what you explicitly authorize.
Your Facebook data is used solely for authentication purposes and to pre-populate basic profile information that you can review and modify. We maintain our own independent database for alumni network interactions, ensuring that your ClassCircles activities remain separate from your broader Facebook presence.
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We share your information within your verified school cohort as necessary to facilitate alumni connections, reunion planning, and mentorship opportunities. Your profile visibility within your cohort can be controlled through your privacy settings.
We may share aggregated, anonymized data with school chapter administrators to help them understand community engagement and plan events more effectively. We work with trusted service providers who assist in operating our platform, but these partners are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and may only use your information to perform services on our behalf.
We will disclose your information when required by law, to protect our rights and property, to investigate potential violations of our terms, or to protect the safety of our users or the public.
Data Retention and Storage
We retain your personal information for as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide you with our services. If you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 90 days, except where we are required to retain certain data for legal compliance, dispute resolution, or fraud prevention.
All data is stored on secure servers with industry-standard encryption. We implement regular backups to prevent data loss and maintain redundancy systems to ensure service continuity. Our data storage practices comply with applicable Japanese data protection regulations.
Your Rights and Choices
You have the right to access, update, or delete your personal information at any time through your account settings. You can control what information is visible to other members of your cohort and adjust your notification preferences.
You may request a copy of all personal data we hold about you, and we will provide this information in a portable format within 30 days of your request. You have the right to object to certain processing of your data and can request that we restrict how we use your information.
If you wish to close your account entirely, you can do so through your settings or by contacting our support team. Upon account closure, we will delete your data in accordance with our retention policy outlined above.
Security Measures and Protection
We employ industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encryption of data in transit and at rest, regular security audits, and strict access controls for our personnel.
We use secure authentication protocols, monitor for suspicious activities, and maintain incident response procedures to address any potential security breaches promptly. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children's Privacy
ClassCircles is intended for use by adults who have graduated from school. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If we become aware that we have collected information from a minor, we will take immediate steps to delete that information.
School chapters that serve recent graduates must ensure that all members meet the minimum age requirement before creating accounts. Parents or guardians concerned about potential unauthorized access by minors should contact us immediately.
International Data Transfers
While ClassCircles primarily serves Japanese alumni communities, our platform infrastructure may involve international data transfers to ensure service reliability and performance. When we transfer data outside of Japan, we implement appropriate safeguards to ensure your information receives an adequate level of protection.
We use standard contractual clauses approved by relevant data protection authorities and work only with service providers who commit to maintaining data protection standards consistent with Japanese law.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain your session, remember your preferences, and analyze platform usage. Essential cookies are necessary for our platform to function, while analytics cookies help us understand how users interact with our features.
You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings, though disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some platform features. For detailed information about our cookie practices, please review our Cookie Policy.
Third-Party Services and Links
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites, including local business partners offering alumni discounts and external job listing platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
When you engage with promoted posts or job listings from external organizations, those parties may collect information about your interactions subject to their own privacy policies. We facilitate these connections but do not control how third parties handle your data.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or business operations. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our platform and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
For significant changes that affect how we handle your personal information, we will provide additional notice through email or prominent platform notifications. Your continued use of ClassCircles after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
Contact Information and Data Protection Officer
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at info@sarilake.com or call +81 6-6324-7702. Our team is committed to addressing your privacy concerns promptly and transparently.
Our office is located at Chome-13-43-106 Higashinakajima, Higashiyodogawa Ward, 大阪市東淀川区 Osaka 533-0033, Japan. For formal data protection inquiries or to exercise your rights under applicable data protection laws, please direct your correspondence to our Data Protection Officer at the same address.
Compliance with Japanese Data Protection Laws
ClassCircles complies with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) and other applicable Japanese data protection regulations. We are committed to handling personal information in accordance with these legal requirements and industry best practices.
We maintain appropriate organizational and technical measures to ensure ongoing compliance and regularly review our practices to align with evolving legal standards and regulatory guidance. Users have the right to file complaints with relevant Japanese data protection authorities if they believe their rights have been violated.