Matchtern ("Matchtern," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit matchtern.org (the "Site"), contact us, submit a form or application, book a consultation, or otherwise use our services (collectively, the "Services").

Matchtern helps high school students obtain real internship experience. Our Services are intended for **parents and guardians and for students aged 13 and older**. Please read this Policy carefully. By using the Services, you agree to the practices described here.

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## 1. Information we collect

**Information you give us directly.** When you submit a form, application, or inquiry, book a call, or communicate with us, we may collect:

- Name, email address, and phone number

- The student's grade level, school, academic interests, and goals

- Information you provide in applications, questionnaires, or consultations

- Any other information you choose to share with us

**Information collected automatically.** When you visit the Site, we and our providers may automatically collect:

- Device and browser type, IP address, and general location

- Pages viewed, links clicked, and how you interact with the Site

- Cookies and similar technologies, including advertising pixels (see Section 5)

**Information from third parties.** We may receive information from advertising and analytics partners (for example, when you click one of our ads) and from tools we use to operate the Services.

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## 2. How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

- Respond to your inquiries and provide the Services

- Schedule and conduct consultations and process applications

- Communicate with you about our programs, including updates and marketing (you can opt out at any time)

- Operate, improve, and personalize the Site and Services

- Measure and improve our advertising, including on platforms like Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

- Maintain the security of our Services and protect against fraud or misuse

- Comply with legal obligations

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## 3. How we share information

We do **not** sell your personal information for money. We may share information:

- **With service providers** who perform functions on our behalf — for example, form and scheduling tools, email and messaging providers, customer-relationship and analytics tools, hosting, and advertising platforms. These providers may only use the information to provide services to us.

- **For advertising and measurement** — with platforms such as Meta to deliver and measure ads and to build audiences (see Section 5).

- **For legal reasons** — to comply with applicable law, legal process, or government requests, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of Matchtern, our users, or others.

- **In a business transfer** — in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets.

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## 4. Marketing and SMS/text messages

If you provide your phone number and consent, we may contact you by call or text (SMS) about your inquiry, consultation, or our programs. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies. You can opt out of texts at any time by replying **STOP**, and opt out of marketing emails using the unsubscribe link in any email. We will still send you transactional messages related to a request you initiated.

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## 5. Cookies, advertising, and analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies, including the **Meta Pixel** and analytics tools, to understand how the Site is used and to deliver and measure advertising. These technologies may collect information about your device and activity and share it with advertising partners so we can show relevant ads and measure their performance.

You can:

- Adjust your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies

- Manage ad personalization in your Meta account settings

- Opt out of certain interest-based advertising via tools like the Digital Advertising Alliance (optout.aboutads.info) or Network Advertising Initiative (optout.networkadvertising.org)

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## 6. Data retention

We keep personal information for as long as needed to provide the Services, communicate with you, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify it.

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## 7. Data security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

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## 8. Children's and students' privacy

Our Services are directed to **parents/guardians and to students aged 13 and older**. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

For students under 18, we expect a parent or guardian to be involved in the enrollment process and to consent to the collection and use of the student's information as described in this Policy.

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## 9. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:

- Access the personal information we hold about you

- Correct or update inaccurate information

- Request deletion of your information

- Opt out of marketing communications

- Opt out of the "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising

**California residents (CCPA/CPRA)** and **residents of the EEA/UK (GDPR)** have additional rights, including the rights described above and the right to lodge a complaint with a regulator. To exercise any right, contact us using the details below. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

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## 10. Third-party links

The Site may link to third-party websites or tools we do not control. This Policy does not apply to those third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

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## 11. International users

We operate primarily in the United States. If you access the Services from outside the U.S., you understand your information may be processed in the U.S., where data-protection laws may differ from those in your country.

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## 12. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective date" above and post the updated Policy on this page. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.