PRIVACY POLICY
Last updated: June 26, 2026
This privacy notice for START Americas Together, Inc. (“we,” “us,” or “our”) describes how and why we collect, store, use, and share your information when you use our STARTERS Volunteer App (“App”), available on the Google Play Store, or engage with us in other related ways.
Questions or concerns? Contact us at info@startamericastogether.org.
1. WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?
Personal Information You Provide
When you register and use the App, we collect the following personal information:
Account & Identity
- Full name
- Email address and password, or Google account credentials via Google Sign-In
- Government-issued identity document (ID card, passport, or equivalent) — uploaded as a photo or captured with your device camera. This image is processed by Google Cloud Vision API for automated identity verification and is not stored on our servers after verification is complete.
Contact & Location
- Phone number
- City and country of residence
- Emergency contact name and phone number
Device & Usage Information
- Device type and operating system version
- App usage logs for performance monitoring and troubleshooting
- Push notification preferences
Camera & Storage Permissions
The App requests camera and storage permissions solely to allow you to photograph or upload your identity document for verification. We do not access your camera for any other purpose.
Sensitive Information
Identity document images are considered sensitive personal information. We process them exclusively for identity verification and delete them from our processing pipeline immediately after verification is complete. We do not process biometric data such as fingerprints or voiceprints.
2. HOW DO WE PROCESS YOUR INFORMATION?
We process your personal information to:
- Create and manage your account — to register you as a volunteer and allow secure login.
- Verify your identity — to confirm your identity before activating your volunteer profile, using Google Cloud Vision API.
- Coordinate volunteer activities — to assign events, send updates, and manage your participation.
- Emergency contact — to reach your designated emergency contact if needed during volunteer activities.
- Communicate with you — to send App notifications, program updates, and service-related messages.
- Analytics and improvement — we use Google Analytics to understand how the App is used and improve our services.
- Safety and compliance — to maintain the integrity of our community and comply with applicable law.
- Protect vital interests — to prevent harm when necessary.
We do not use your personal information for advertising, profiling, or any commercial purpose.
3. LEGAL BASES FOR PROCESSING (EEA, UK & Canada)
If you are located in the EU, UK, or Canada, we rely on the following legal bases:
- Consent — when you have given permission for a specific purpose. You may withdraw consent at any time.
- Contractual necessity — to fulfill our obligations as a volunteer platform.
- Legal obligations — to comply with applicable law.
- Vital interests — to protect your safety or that of others.
4. IDENTITY VERIFICATION — GOOGLE CLOUD VISION
To verify your identity, the App uses the Google Cloud Vision API, a machine learning service provided by Google LLC. When you submit your identity document:
- The image is transmitted securely to Google Cloud Vision for automated text and document recognition.
- Extracted data (such as your name and document number) is used solely to confirm your identity.
- Processing is subject to Google’s Privacy Policy.
- The image is deleted from our processing pipeline immediately after verification is complete.
- Your identity document image is never shared with third parties for any other purpose.
5. WHEN AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION?
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share data only in these limited circumstances:
- Google Firebase — for secure authentication and cloud data storage.
- Google Cloud Vision — for identity document verification.
- Google Analytics — to analyze App usage. You may opt out at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
- Legal obligations — when required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
- Safety — to protect the rights, safety, or property of START, our volunteers, or the public.
- Business transfers — in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
- Authorized START staff — coordinators may access your volunteer profile to manage activities.
All third-party service providers are contractually bound to protect your data and process it only as instructed.
6. HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION?
We retain your personal information for as long as your volunteer account is active or as needed to provide services. If you request account deletion, we will remove your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.
Identity document images are deleted immediately after verification is complete. When we have no ongoing legitimate need to process your information, we will delete or anonymize it.
7. HOW DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SAFE?
We implement industry-standard security measures including:
- Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS / TLS)
- Secure authentication via Google Firebase
- Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel
- Organizational policies for data handling and breach response
No electronic transmission or storage technology is 100% secure. While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correct — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Delete — request deletion of your account and associated personal data.
- Restrict — object to or restrict certain processing of your data.
- Portability — receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Withdraw consent — at any time, without affecting prior lawful processing.
- Non-discrimination — we will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.
To exercise any of these rights, email info@startamericastogether.org. We will respond within 30 days.
If you are in the EEA or UK, you may also contact your local data protection authority. In Switzerland, contact the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner.
9. US STATE PRIVACY RIGHTS
The following applies to residents of US states with specific privacy laws. All requests may be submitted at startamericastogether.org/portal or by emailing privacy@startamericastogether.org.
|
Category |
Examples |
Collected |
|
A. Identifiers |
Name, email, phone, account name, IP address |
YES |
|
B. California Customer Records |
Name, contact info, employment, financial info |
Partial (name, contact only) |
|
C. Protected classifications |
Gender, date of birth |
NO |
|
D. Commercial information |
Purchase/transaction history |
NO |
|
E. Biometric information |
Fingerprints, voiceprints |
NO |
|
F. Internet activity |
Browsing history, online behavior |
NO |
|
G. Geolocation data |
Precise device location |
NO |
|
H. Audio/visual information |
Images, audio, video recordings |
YES (ID document only, deleted after verification) |
|
I. Professional information |
Job title, work history |
NO |
|
J. Education information |
Student records |
NO |
|
K. Inferences |
Profiles or preference summaries |
NO |
|
L. Sensitive personal information |
Identity document image (processed for verification only) |
YES (deleted after verification) |
California Residents (CCPA)
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, California residents have the right to: know what personal information is collected; request deletion; opt out of sale or sharing (we do not sell data); and non-discrimination. California Civil Code §1798.83 (“Shine The Light”) allows residents to request information about disclosures to third parties for direct marketing purposes once per year at no charge. Users under 18 in California may request removal of publicly posted content.
Verification: We will verify your identity before processing requests. You may designate an authorized agent with valid proof of authorization.
Colorado Residents (CPA)
Colorado residents have the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of their data, and to opt out of targeted advertising or sale of personal data. Appeals must be submitted within 45 days and we will respond within 45 days (extendable by 45 more days).
Connecticut Residents (CTDPA)
Connecticut residents have the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of their data, and to opt out of targeted advertising or profiling. We will respond to appeals within 60 days.
Utah Residents (UCPA)
Utah residents have the right to access, delete, and obtain a copy of their data, and to opt out of targeted advertising or sale of personal data.
Virginia Residents (VCDPA)
Virginia residents have the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of their data, and to opt out of targeted advertising, sale, or profiling. We will respond within 45 days (extendable by 45 more days). Appeals may be submitted to info@startamericastogether.org; if denied, complaints may be filed with the Virginia Attorney General.
10. DO-NOT-TRACK FEATURES
Most web browsers and some mobile operating systems include a Do-Not-Track (“DNT”) feature. No uniform technology standard for DNT has been finalized, and we do not currently respond to DNT signals. If a standard is adopted that we must follow, we will update this notice accordingly.
11. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
The App is intended for volunteers who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18. If we become aware that we have collected data from a minor, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a minor has registered, please contact us immediately at info@startamericastogether.org.
12. DO WE MAKE UPDATES TO THIS NOTICE?
Yes. We may update this privacy notice from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by the revised date at the top of this page. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or by email. We encourage you to review this notice periodically.
13. HOW CAN YOU CONTACT US?
If you have questions or comments about this notice, please contact us:
- Email: info@startamericastogether.org
- Website: https://startamericastogether.org
14. HOW CAN YOU REVIEW, UPDATE, OR DELETE YOUR DATA?
You have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information at any time. To submit a request, email info@startamericastogether.org.