JEFFERSON EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY — Mobile Application

Last Updated: 6/17/2026

1. Introduction

The Jefferson Educational Society ("JES," "we," "our," or "us") is a nonprofit civic and educational organization based in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with transparency and care.

This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you use the JES mobile application (the "App"). By downloading, installing, or using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

This Policy applies to information collected through the App and does not govern information collected through other JES channels (e.g., our website, in-person events) unless expressly stated.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily

We collect information you provide directly when you:

Create an account or user profile (name, email address, password)
Register for events, lectures, or programs (name, contact details, event preferences)
Make a donation (name, billing address, payment details — processed by a third-party payment processor)
Subscribe to newsletters, Substack content, or communications
Contact us through the App's support or feedback features
Participate in surveys or provide ratings and reviews

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the App, we may automatically collect:

Device information (device type, operating system, unique device identifiers)
Usage data (screens viewed, features used, session duration, timestamps)
App performance data (crash logs, error reports)
IP address and general geographic location (city/region level)
Push notification preferences and interaction data

2.3 Information from Third-Party Services

If you access content linked through the App (such as YouTube videos or Substack articles), those platforms may collect information pursuant to their own privacy policies. We do not control such collections. We may receive aggregate or anonymized data from analytics partners.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To provide, operate, and improve the App and its features
To process event registrations and confirm attendance
To process donations and issue donation receipts or acknowledgment letters
To send you transactional communications (registration confirmations, receipts)
To send newsletters, program announcements, and event reminders (with your consent where required)
To personalize your experience and surface relevant content (events, articles, speakers)
To maintain the Fellows and Speakers Directory and associated profiles
To analyze usage trends and improve App functionality
To detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, or security incidents
To comply with applicable legal obligations

We will not use your personal information for purposes incompatible with those listed above without providing prior notice and, where required, obtaining your consent.

4. Legal Bases For Processing (Where Applicable)

To the extent required by applicable law (including, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation or similar frameworks), we process personal information on the following legal bases:

Performance of a contract — to fulfill event registrations and donation transactions
Legitimate interests — to operate and improve the App, ensure security, and communicate about our programs, where such interests are not overridden by your rights
Consent — for marketing communications and optional data processing activities
Legal obligation — to comply with applicable law, court orders, or regulatory requirements

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party vendors to help operate the App, including payment processors, cloud hosting providers, email delivery services, and analytics providers. These vendors are contractually obligated to use your information only as directed by JES and in accordance with this Policy.

5.2 Linked Platforms

The App may link to or embed content from YouTube and Substack. Accessing such content may transmit data to those platforms under their respective privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party platform you use.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to: (a) comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request; (b) enforce our Terms of Use; (c) protect the rights, property, or safety of JES, our users, or the public; or (d) detect or prevent fraud or security threats.

5.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or transfer of assets, your information may be transferred to a successor organization, subject to the same privacy protections described herein.

5.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your express consent.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. When determining retention periods, we consider:

The nature and sensitivity of the data
The purposes for which we collected it and whether we can achieve those purposes through less data
Legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations

When personal information is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymize it in a secure manner. You may request earlier deletion subject to Section 8 below.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption of data in transit (TLS/HTTPS), access controls, and secure data storage practices.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. If you suspect a security breach affecting your information, please contact us immediately using the information in Section 12.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 Access and Portability

You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you and, where technically feasible, request that it be provided in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.

8.2 Correction

You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information. You may also update certain information directly through the App's account settings.

8.3 Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to our need to retain certain data for legal, contractual, or legitimate business purposes (e.g., donation records required for nonprofit tax compliance).

8.4 Opt-Out of Communications

You may opt out of marketing or promotional emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our messages or adjusting notification preferences in the App's Settings. Transactional communications (e.g., event confirmations, donation receipts) are not subject to opt-out.

8.5 Push Notifications

You may enable or disable push notifications through your device's settings or the App's Settings/About screen at any time.

8.6 Account Deletion

You may delete your account through the App's Settings screen or by contacting us. Account deletion will result in the removal of your profile and associated data, subject to our legal retention obligations.

To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us as described in Section 12. We will respond to verifiable requests within the timeframe required by applicable law (generally 30–45 days). We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

9. Children's Privacy

The App is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at the address in Section 12.

10. Third-Party Links and Content

The App may contain links to external websites, videos (YouTube), articles (Substack), and other third-party content. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through the App. JES is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of third-party services.

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you by:

Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy
Displaying a notice within the App
Sending an email notification to your registered address (for significant changes)

Your continued use of the App after the effective date of the revised Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the revised Policy, please discontinue use of the App and delete your account.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Jefferson Educational Society

3207 State Street

Erie, Pennsylvania 16508

United States

Phone: 814.459.8000

Fax: 814.459.8006

We are committed to working with you to resolve any concerns about your privacy in a timely and transparent manner.

13. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and applicable federal law, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising under this Policy shall be resolved in the courts located in Erie County, Pennsylvania.