Step2Solve

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 24, 2024

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Welcome to Step2Solve, your AI-powered mathematics learning companion. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your information.

This Privacy Policy explains in detail what information we collect when you use our application (available on web, iOS, and Android), how we use that information, who we share it with, and what choices you have regarding your data.

Important: By using Step2Solve, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our application.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

Mathematical Problems and Queries

When you use Step2Solve, you input mathematical problems, equations, expressions, or questions that you want solved. This includes algebra problems, calculus equations, linear algebra matrices, numerical integration queries, and any text you type into our solver interface.

What we do with it: We process these inputs using Google's Gemini AI to generate step-by-step solutions and explanations.

Retention: We do NOT permanently store your mathematical problems. They are processed in real-time and discarded after the solution is delivered to you.

Communication and Support

If you contact us via email for support, feedback, bug reports, or feature requests, we collect:

  • • Your email address
  • • Your name (if provided)
  • • The content of your message
  • • Any attachments or screenshots you send

Retention: We retain communication records for up to 2 years to provide ongoing support and improve our service.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

Usage Data and Analytics

We automatically collect information about how you interact with Step2Solve:

  • • Problem types you solve (e.g., algebra, calculus, linear algebra)
  • • Features you use most frequently
  • • Time spent on the app
  • • Number of problems solved per session
  • • Which tabs you navigate to (Algebra, Calculus, etc.)
  • • Button clicks and user interface interactions

Purpose: This data helps us understand which features are most valuable, identify bugs, and improve the user experience.

Device and Technical Information

We collect technical details about your device and how you access Step2Solve:

  • • Device type (e.g., iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23, desktop computer)
  • • Operating system and version (e.g., iOS 17, Android 14, Windows 11)
  • • Browser type and version (e.g., Chrome 120, Safari 17)
  • • Screen resolution and device orientation
  • • Unique device identifiers (anonymized)
  • • App version you're using

Purpose: This helps us ensure compatibility across different devices and optimize performance for your specific platform.

Log Data and Error Reports

Our servers automatically record certain information when you use Step2Solve:

  • • IP address (masked for privacy)
  • • Date and time of access
  • • Pages or screens viewed
  • • Time spent on each page
  • • Referring website (if you came from a link)
  • • App crashes or errors (with stack traces)
  • • Performance metrics (e.g., page load times)

Purpose: Log data helps us diagnose technical problems, prevent security issues, and improve app stability.

1.3 Information from Third-Party Services

Google AI (Gemini) Integration

Step2Solve uses Google's Gemini AI to process your mathematical problems and generate solutions. When you submit a problem:

  • • Your problem text is sent to Google's servers via API
  • • Google processes the input and returns a solution
  • • We display that solution to you

Important: Google's own privacy policy applies to how they handle this data. We recommend reviewing Google's Privacy Policy for details on their data practices.

Data minimization: We only send the minimum information necessary (your problem text) to Google—no personal identifiers are included.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

🎯
To Provide and Maintain Our Service

The primary use of your data is to deliver the core functionality of Step2Solve: solving your mathematical problems with step-by-step explanations. This includes processing your inputs, generating solutions via AI, and displaying results in an easy-to-understand format.

📊
To Improve and Optimize Our App

We analyze usage patterns to understand which features are most helpful, identify areas for improvement, and fix bugs. For example, if we notice users frequently encounter errors with a specific type of problem, we'll work to improve that feature.

💬
To Communicate with You

We use your contact information to respond to your support requests, answer questions, provide technical assistance, and send important updates about the app (such as major new features or critical security updates).

🔒
To Ensure Security and Prevent Abuse

We monitor for suspicious activity, prevent fraud, detect and fix security vulnerabilities, and ensure the app is not being used for harmful purposes (e.g., automated bot attacks, spam).

⚖️
To Comply with Legal Obligations

In some cases, we may be required by law to retain certain information or disclose it to authorities (e.g., in response to valid legal requests such as court orders or subpoenas).

🚀
To Develop New Features

Aggregated, anonymized usage data helps us understand what new features would be most valuable to students. For example, if many users are solving trigonometry problems, we might prioritize adding a dedicated trigonometry tab.

What We DON'T Do: We do NOT sell your personal information to third parties. We do NOT use your data for targeted advertising. We do NOT share your mathematical problems with anyone except Google AI (which is necessary to provide the service).

3. Data Sharing and Third-Party Services

We may share your information with the following third parties, but only as necessary to provide and improve our service:

Google AI (Gemini)

What we share: Your mathematical problems (text input only)

Why: To generate AI-powered step-by-step solutions

Their privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Vercel (Hosting Provider)

What we share: Server logs, IP addresses (masked), usage data

Why: Vercel hosts our web application and API endpoints

Their privacy policy: https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy

Analytics Services (Optional)

We may use analytics tools to understand app usage. If we do, we will update this policy and use only privacy-respecting tools that anonymize data.

When We Might Disclose Your Information:

  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or government request
  • Safety and Security: To protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public
  • Business Transfers: If we merge with or are acquired by another company (users will be notified)
  • With Your Consent: In any other situation, only with your explicit permission
4. Data Storage and Security

How We Protect Your Data

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

🔐 Encryption in Transit

All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS (Transport Layer Security). This ensures that even if someone intercepts the data, they cannot read it.

🛡️ Secure Hosting

Our application is hosted on Vercel, a trusted cloud platform with enterprise-grade security infrastructure, DDoS protection, and regular security audits.

🔒 Access Controls

Access to user data is strictly limited to authorized personnel who need it to maintain and improve the service. We use secure authentication and follow the principle of least privilege.

📊 Regular Security Audits

We regularly review our security practices, update dependencies to patch vulnerabilities, and monitor for suspicious activity or potential breaches.

Data Retention

Mathematical Problems: NOT stored—processed in real-time and discarded immediately
Usage Analytics: Retained for up to 12 months, then automatically deleted
Support Communications: Retained for up to 2 years to provide ongoing assistance
Log Data: Retained for 90 days for security and debugging purposes

Important Disclaimer: While we implement robust security measures, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we are committed to protecting your data to the best of our ability and will notify you promptly in the event of any data breach.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide a better experience. We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

Essential Cookies (Required)

These cookies are necessary for the app to function. They enable core features like maintaining your session, remembering your preferences (e.g., dark mode), and ensuring secure access to the application.

Examples: Session tokens, authentication cookies, preference settings

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

These cookies help us understand how users interact with Step2Solve. They collect anonymized information about page views, feature usage, and user flow.

Examples: Google Analytics (if used), page visit tracking, feature usage statistics

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us monitor app performance, identify slow pages, and detect errors to improve speed and reliability.

Examples: Load time tracking, error logging, performance metrics

How to Manage Cookies

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block all cookies or accept only certain cookies. However, disabling essential cookies may prevent some features of Step2Solve from working properly.

Browser Cookie Settings:

6. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. We respect these rights and make it easy for you to exercise them.

✓ Right to Access

You can request a copy of the personal information we have about you.

✓ Right to Correction

You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.

✓ Right to Deletion

You can request that we delete your personal information (subject to legal obligations).

✓ Right to Portability

You can request your data in a portable, machine-readable format.

✓ Right to Opt-Out

You can opt out of certain data collection practices (e.g., analytics).

✓ Right to Object

You can object to certain processing activities based on legitimate interests.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please email us at: adotennyson@yahoo.com

Include "Privacy Rights Request" in the subject line and specify which right you wish to exercise. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Children's Privacy

Step2Solve is designed to help students of all ages learn mathematics. We recognize that many of our users may be minors, and we take special care to protect their privacy.

Children Under 13 (COPPA Compliance)

We do NOT knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent, in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

What This Means: We do not require children to create accounts or provide personal information to use Step2Solve. The app can be used anonymously—students simply enter math problems and receive solutions.

For Parents and Guardians

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at adotennyson@yahoo.com.

We will promptly delete such information from our records. Parents have the right to review, delete, or refuse further collection of their child's information.

Educational Use: Step2Solve is commonly used in schools and by parents helping their children with homework. We encourage educators and parents to supervise children's use of technology and discuss online privacy.

8. International Data Transfers

Step2Solve is available worldwide, and your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your own. This may include the United States and other jurisdictions where our service providers operate.

Data Protection Standards

When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws (such as GDPR for European users and CCPA for California residents).

For EU/EEA Users: We comply with GDPR requirements and use standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission when transferring data outside the EU/EEA.

For California Users: We comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and provide California residents with specific rights regarding their personal information.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or new features. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by:

  • Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
  • Displaying a prominent notice in the app (for material changes)
  • Sending an email notification (if we have your email address)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of Step2Solve after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Version History: You can request previous versions of this Privacy Policy by contacting us at adotennyson@yahoo.com.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, we're here to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out.

Contact Information

Privacy Inquiries: adotennyson@yahoo.com

General Support: danybeloved@gmail.com

Response Time: We aim to respond within 48 hours (usually faster)

Privacy Rights Requests: Responded to within 30 days as required by law

Your Privacy Matters: We take every inquiry seriously and are committed to addressing your concerns. Whether you have a question about how we use data, want to exercise your privacy rights, or simply want to provide feedback on our practices—we want to hear from you.

© 2024 Step2Solve. All rights reserved.