This policy applies to all FamilyNet member platforms and provincial sites.

At FamilyNet, privacy is not a feature — it is a foundational right.
We are committed to protecting personal information through clear, respectful, and transparent practices.

This Privacy Policy explains how FamilyNet collects, uses, stores, and protects information on FamilyNet platforms, including all provincial sites. 

FamilyNet is operated by the Safe Social Networking Society, a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to privacy, safety, and digital dignity.

Our Privacy Principles

FamilyNet is built on the following principles:

• Privacy by design and by default
• Minimal data collection
• No advertising or tracking
• No algorithms or behavioral profiling
• No sale or sharing of personal data
• Transparent and responsible data handling

FamilyNet is not a data-driven, advertising-based, or surveillance-oriented platform.

No Tracking

FamilyNet does not track your activity on the platform or across other websites, apps, or services.

• Your behavior is not monitored, profiled, or analyzed.
• We do not record usage patterns for marketing or engagement purposes.

Safety investigations (limited and manual)

To maintain a safe and respectful environment:

• If a member reports abuse or harmful conduct, moderators may review the reported content only.
• Any review is limited in scope and does not involve behavioral tracking, profiling, or automated monitoring.
• If serious or illegal activity is suspected, the matter may be escalated to appropriate legal or regulatory authorities.

All investigations are handled discreetly and only when necessary to protect community safety and dignity.

No Ads or Sponsored Content

FamilyNet does not display:

• Third-party advertisements
• Sponsored posts or paid placements
• Affiliate links or commercial promotions

There is no commercial targeting of members.

No Algorithms

FamilyNet does not use predictive algorithms to influence what you see.

• No recommendation engines
• No automated engagement feeds
• No popularity-based amplification

Content visibility is not manipulated by algorithms.

Information We Collect

FamilyNet collects only the information necessary to operate a school-connected, private community platform.

This may include:

• Name and basic contact information
• School ID or Organization ID (used solely for access validation)
• Account credentials and identifiers
• Information required for security, authentication, and access control
• Content you choose to share within your permitted communities

FamilyNet does not build behavioral profiles or collect analytics for marketing purposes.

Information Provided by Schools and Organizations

Participating schools and organizations may provide:

• Organizational details
• Authorized contact information
• Verification information required to enable member access

Schools and organizations are responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide.

How We Use Information

Information collected by FamilyNet is used only to:

• Provide and operate the platform
• Verify access through School ID or Organization ID
• Enable secure communication within approved communities
• Maintain platform safety, integrity, and reliability
• Communicate essential service-related notices

FamilyNet does not use personal information for advertising, profiling, or monetization.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

FamilyNet does not use:

• Advertising cookies
• Tracking cookies
• Third-party analytics or behavioral monitoring tools

Limited technical cookies may be used strictly for:

• Login and session management
• Authentication and security

These cookies are essential to the operation of the service.

Data Sharing

FamilyNet does not sell, rent, trade, or share personal information.

Information may be disclosed only when:

• Required to operate essential platform services
• Necessary to comply with legal or regulatory obligations
• Responding to lawful requests from courts or authorized authorities
• Explicitly authorized by the user or participating organization

All disclosures are reviewed internally and limited in scope.

Data Storage and Security

FamilyNet applies reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards, including:

• Role-based access controls
• Secure hosting environments
• System monitoring and logging
• Restricted internal access to data

While no system can guarantee absolute security, FamilyNet prioritizes proactive protection and risk reduction.

Data Retention

Information is retained only as long as necessary to:

• Operate the service
• Meet legal or regulatory obligations
• Resolve disputes or enforce platform rules

Data may be deleted or anonymized when no longer required.

Certain data may be retained in secure backups for system integrity, disaster recovery, or legal compliance.

Communication with Members

FamilyNet uses email only for essential service-related communications, such as:

• Platform outages or service interruptions
• Updates to Terms of Service or Privacy Policy
• Security notices
• Major infrastructure or operational changes

FamilyNet does not send promotional emails, marketing content, or newsletters unless explicitly requested.

Your Data, Your Control

Users have the right to:

• Access their personal information
• Correct inaccurate data
• Manage or disable their account

Please note:

• Disabling an account does not guarantee immediate removal from all systems
• Some information may remain in encrypted backups
• Certain data may be retained as required by law or regulatory obligations

Children and Minors

FamilyNet operates through verified schools, organizations, and families.

Where minors participate:

• Access is governed by the policies of the participating school or organization
• Parental and organizational oversight is expected
• Applicable laws and regulations are respected

FamilyNet does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children without appropriate authorization.

Transparency and Policy Changes

FamilyNet is committed to transparency.

If significant changes are made to this Privacy Policy, members will be notified in advance where reasonably possible.

Continued use of the platform indicates acceptance of the current version.

Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Canada and the applicable provincial jurisdiction.

Contact and Administration

Questions or concerns regarding privacy may be directed to FamilyNet administrators through the designated contact channels on the site.

We aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe.