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Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 23, 2025

Introduction

Financial Pathways Carolina (“we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect personal data through our various programs and services, including the SmartStart Stocks – Live Market Simulator (the “Simulator”), in addition to other programs coordinated via Google Forms.

Event Sign-Ups via Google Forms

We primarily collect personal information voluntarily provided by parents or guardians through Google Forms for event registration and communication purposes. This may include:

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  • Parent or guardian contact information (email, phone number, name)

  • Participant (student) name and grade level

  • Additional details such as state of residence or school, if relevant to the program

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We use this information solely to:

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  • Register participants

  • Organize sessions appropriate to grade level or location

  • Understand participant demographics

  • Fulfill specific program requirements

  • Send updates related to registered events/programs

SmartStart Stocks – Live Market Simulator

Information Collected


When you register and use the Simulator, we collect additional information to provide a personalized, secure, and interactive experience, including:

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  • Firebase Authentication Data:

Your email and password are securely stored and managed by Firebase Authentication to enable account creation, login, password reset, and authentication state persistence across devices.

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  • Portfolio and Trading Data:

Your simulated portfolio, including buying power, holdings, transactions history, and preferences, are stored and synchronized in real-time with Firebase Firestore. This allows your trading data to be saved and accessible from any device or browser where you log in.

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  • Usage Data:

Basic usage and interaction data are processed to enable real-time stock quote lookups (via a proxy API) and market chart rendering (via TradingView’s widgets). This may involve exchanges with Polygon proxy and TradingView’s third-party services solely to retrieve publicly available market data.

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How We Use the Data

 

We use your information in the Simulator to:

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  • Authenticate your identity securely

  • Store and synchronize your portfolio and trade activity

  • Display real-time market prices and charts (with 15-minute delay)

  • Provide password recovery and user assistance features

  • Maintain and enhance Simulator functionality and user experience

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Data Sharing

 

  • We do not sell or share your personal portfolio or authentication data with third parties, except for:

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  • Using Firebase services (Google) to securely manage authentication and database storage

  • Using TradingView for stock chart display

  • Using a proxy API to fetch market quotes

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  • These third-party services adhere to strict privacy and security guidelines.

Data Security and Storage

  • All personal and portfolio data collected via the Simulator and registration forms are secured using industry-standard encryption and stored on secure servers managed by Firebase (Google Cloud).

  • Access to data is limited to authorized personnel and essential service components.

  • We implement reasonable technical and administrative safeguards to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Password Reset and Account Access

  • If you forget your Simulator password, you can use the built-in password reset functionality, which securely sends a reset link to your registered email address. This feature is provided directly via Firebase Authentication.

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  • Your portfolio and account information remain accessible and synchronized following password reset and login.

Cookies and Tracking

  • Essential Cookies:
    We use cookies and similar technologies required for core functionality, including session management and authentication persistence via Firebase.

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  • Functional Cookies:
    May be set by third-party tools such as TradingView for user preferences within stock chart widgets.

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  • No Marketing or Analytics Cookies:
    We do not use cookies for marketing or analytics purposes beyond essential and functional functionality.

Third-Party Services

  • Firebase (Google):
    Provides authentication, database, and hosting services. See Firebase Privacy.

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  • Polygon Proxy API:
    Used solely to retrieve 15-minute delayed stock quotes for Simulator functionality.

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  • TradingView:
    Used to embed stock market charts. See TradingView Privacy Policy.

Data Retention

  • Data collected for event registrations are retained only as long as necessary to complete the event and send related communications.

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  • Portfolio and account data in the Simulator are retained as long as your account exists. You may request deletion by contacting us.

Your Rights and Choices

You may at any time:

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  • Request access to, correction, or deletion of your personal and portfolio data

  • Withdraw consent to receive communications (except where required for program registration)

  • Contact us with questions or data requests

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Please see our Contact section below.

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements. The updated date will be displayed at the top of this policy. Please check back regularly.

Contact

For privacy-related questions, data access, corrections, or deletion requests related to either our event programs or the Simulator, please contact us.

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