Privacy Policy of The Empathy Set App

Privacy Policy

The Empathy Set® App

Effective Date: February 6, 2026 | Last Updated: February 6, 2026

Trademark Notice: The Empathy Set® is a federally registered trademark of John Ford. Registrations include printed educational flash cards (Class 16, Principal Register) and downloadable software and mobile applications (Class 9, Supplemental Register).

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how The Empathy Set® App (“the App,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information from users (“you” or “your”). The Empathy Set® App is a free mobile application that provides educational content related to emotional literacy, feelings, and needs. By downloading or using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly. We recently completed a comprehensive third-party security audit and have implemented improvements based on its findings to enhance the protection of your information.

2. Data Controller and Owner

John Ford

7405 Sunkist Drive, Oakland, CA 94605, USA

Contact Email: john@johnford.com

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide

When you use The Empathy Set® App, you may voluntarily provide us with certain information, including:

• Your email address, if you choose to subscribe to our mailing list or contact us

• Any information you voluntarily submit through in-app forms or communications

• Donation transaction information, if you choose to make a voluntary donation through the App

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the App, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the App, such as features used, pages viewed, time spent, and actions taken within the App.

• Device Information: Information about your device, including device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.

• Cookies and Similar Technologies: The App and associated services may use cookies, pixels, or similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, remember preferences, and collect usage analytics. You can manage cookie preferences through your device or browser settings.

• Log Data: In the event of an error or crash, the App may collect log data including your device’s Internet Protocol (IP) address, device name, operating system version, App configuration, time and date of use, and other diagnostic statistics.

3.3 Information from Third-Party Services

If the App integrates with third-party services (such as app store platforms for donations), those services may share limited information with us in accordance with their own privacy policies.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Improve the App: To operate, maintain, and improve The Empathy Set® App’s features and functionality.

• Analytics: To understand how users interact with the App, identify trends, and improve the user experience. We may use third-party analytics tools for this purpose.

• Communications: If you provide your email address, we may use it to send you information about The Empathy Set® App, related products and services within The Empathy Set® ecosystem (including educational materials, card sets, and workshops), and other offerings from John Ford, including information about publications such as upcoming books. You may opt out of these communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly.

• Hosting and Infrastructure: To store and process data on secure servers.

• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, and security vulnerabilities.

• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your data for advertising purposes. The Empathy Set® App does not display third-party advertisements.

5. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating the App, conducting analytics, processing donations, or providing hosting and infrastructure services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency).

• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

We do not share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

6. Data Storage and Security

We take the security of your information seriously. Following a comprehensive third-party security audit, we have implemented industry-standard security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information. These measures include encryption of data in transit and at rest, regular security assessments, and access controls limiting who can view your data.

Data may be stored on servers located in various geographic locations. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When your data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it. You may request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at john@johnford.com.

8. Device Permissions

The Empathy Set® App may request access to certain features or data on your device. These permissions are used solely to deliver the App’s core functionality. You can review and revoke these permissions at any time through your device’s settings. Revoking certain permissions may limit the App’s functionality.

9. Your Rights

9.1 General Rights

Regardless of your location, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you

• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

• Request deletion of your personal information

• Opt out of marketing communications at any time

• Withdraw consent where processing is based on your consent

9.2 California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to Know: You have the right to request that we disclose what personal information we have collected about you in the preceding 12 months, including the categories of information collected, the sources of that information, the business purpose for collecting it, the categories of third parties with whom we share it, and the specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

• Right to Delete: You have the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions provided by law.

• Right to Correct: You have the right to request that we correct inaccurate personal information that we maintain about you.

• Right to Opt Out of Sale or Sharing: We do not sell or share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Therefore, there is no need to opt out of such activity.

• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA/CPRA rights.

• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: We do not collect or process sensitive personal information as defined under the CPRA beyond what is necessary to provide the App’s services.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at john@johnford.com. We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within 45 days as required by law. You may also designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf.

Categories of Personal Information Collected (preceding 12 months):

• Identifiers (e.g., email address, device identifiers, IP address)

• Internet or other electronic network activity information (e.g., usage data, interaction with the App)

• Geolocation data (general location derived from IP address)

We do not collect: Social Security numbers, financial account information, precise geolocation data, biometric information, protected classification characteristics, or other categories of sensitive personal information.

10. Third-Party Personal Data

If you share any third-party personal data through The Empathy Set® App, you are responsible for ensuring you have obtained appropriate consent from such third parties before sharing their information.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Empathy Set® App is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at john@johnford.com, and we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

12. “Do Not Track” Signals

Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” signals to websites and online services. We honor Do Not Track signals where technically feasible and encourage you to review your browser settings for this feature.

13. 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. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Privacy Policy within the App and updating the “Effective Date” above. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

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

John Ford

7405 Sunkist Drive, Oakland, CA 94605, USA

Email: john@johnford.com