Your privacy, in plain words.

This Privacy Policy applies to Hello, It's Me® and the services we provide through our website, mobile applications, and related platforms (collectively, the "Services").

Hello, It's Me® is operated by Focus EduSolutions, Inc. ("Focus EduSolutions," "we," "us," or "our"). We are a technology and services company that partners with organizations serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to deliver social connection, skill-building, and coaching tools in a safe, supportive environment.

This policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information when you use our Services. This applies whether you are a member using the app, a family member or caregiver supporting a member, or a coordinator or agency partner working with us.

We collect information that you provide directly, information generated through your use of the Services, and limited technical data needed to operate and secure the platform.

Account and profile data

• Name, email address, and account credentials
• Profile photo, bio, interests, and preferences you choose to share
• Date of birth (to confirm you are 18 or older)
• City-level location (we do not collect or display home addresses)

Communication and activity data

• Messages you send and receive through the app (private chats and group chats)
• Story choices and skill-building activity within the app
• Coaching session scheduling and participation records
• Reports you submit about other users or content

Payment and billing data

• Subscription plan, billing history, and payment method details (processed by our payment provider, and we do not store full credit card numbers)

Technical and device data

• Device type, operating system, app version, and browser type
• IP address and general usage logs (for security, troubleshooting, and service improvement)
• Cookies and similar technologies on our website (see our cookie practices in the parent site documentation)

Information from partners and caregivers

• When a family member, coordinator, or agency helps a member sign up or manage an account, we may receive contact information and role details for that supporter

Read the full HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices on the parent site.

Hello, It's Me® is designed with HIPAA-aligned safeguards because many of our partner organizations are covered entities or business associates under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Depending on how you access the Services, certain information (such as coaching notes, wellness-related communications, or data shared through a partner organization) may be treated as protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA.

When PHI is involved:

• We operate under Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with covered entity partners
• We limit use and disclosure of PHI to what is permitted under HIPAA and our agreements
• We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards consistent with the HIPAA Security Rule
• Members and authorized representatives may exercise HIPAA rights (access, amendment, accounting of disclosures, restriction requests, and complaint rights) as described in our Notice of Privacy Practices

If you have questions about how HIPAA applies to your information, contact us at privacy@hello-itsme.com or review the full Notice linked above.

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Hello, It's Me® platform and its features
• Create and manage your account and profile
• Enable social connection, messaging, stories, coaching, and group activities
• Review profiles and moderate content to keep the community safe
• Process subscriptions, billing, and payment
• Send service-related communications (account updates, safety alerts, and support responses)
• Respond to your requests, reports, and support inquiries
• Monitor for fraud, abuse, and violations of our community standards
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our policies
• Generate aggregated, de-identified analytics to improve the Services (we do not use de-identified data to re-identify individuals)

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your data for third-party advertising.

When we process PHI on behalf of a covered entity partner, we do so under a Business Associate Agreement that defines permitted uses, required safeguards, and breach notification obligations.

We use carefully selected subprocessors (such as cloud hosting, payment processing, email delivery, and analytics providers) to operate the Services. Each subprocessor is contractually required to protect data at a level consistent with this policy and applicable law. A current list of subprocessors is available upon request by contacting privacy@hello-itsme.com.

We share personal information only in these circumstances:

• With other members, as you choose. Your profile, messages, and group participation are visible according to the app's design and your settings
• With authorized caregivers or coordinators, when a member's account is set up or managed with their involvement and consent
• With partner organizations, when you access the Services through an agency or program that sponsors your membership (limited to what is needed for enrollment, support, and compliance)
• With service providers, who process data on our behalf under strict contractual terms (hosting, payments, email, security tools)
• For legal and safety reasons, when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of members, our team, or the public
• In connection with a business transaction, such as a merger or acquisition, with notice to affected users where required by law

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

We implement industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Access controls and role-based permissions for our team
• Regular security reviews and monitoring
• Profile and content moderation by trained staff
• Automated filtering of harmful language and sensitive data in messages
• Audit-ready logging for HIPAA-aligned environments

No system is completely secure. If we become aware of a breach affecting your information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

Depending on where you live and how you use the Services, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information in your profile
• Delete your account and associated data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Export a copy of your data
• Opt out of non-essential communications
• Restrict or object to certain processing where applicable under state privacy laws

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@hello-itsme.com. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

If your information is processed as PHI under HIPAA, you may also exercise rights described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Hello, It's Me® is intended exclusively for adults age 18 and older. We verify age during registration and do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we learn that a user is under 18, we will delete their account and associated data promptly.

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

When you delete your account, we remove or de-identify your information within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law, for legitimate safety investigations, or under HIPAA record-keeping requirements for PHI.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you through the app, by email, or by posting a notice on our website with an updated "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us:

Focus EduSolutions, Inc.
Email: privacy@hello-itsme.com
General support: hello@hello-itsme.com