✅ The short version
We collect only what's necessary to run the app — your email address, and the student first names and grade levels you choose to enter. We never sell your data, never share it with advertisers, and never use student information for any purpose other than displaying it back to you inside the app. Free accounts display ads served by Google AdMob; Pro subscribers see no ads.
1. Who We Are
The Bus Buddy ("we," "us," or "our") is a school bus seating chart application available at thebusbuddy.com. The app is developed and operated by Michelle Minor.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at: privacy@thebusbuddy.com
2. What Information We Collect
We collect the minimum information needed to provide the service:
- Account information: Your email address and a hashed password, collected when you create an account.
- Seating chart data: Route names, driver names, bus numbers, school names, route numbers, and student entries you create — which may include student first names, grade level (K–12), and gender (M/F).
- Usage data: Basic app activity such as which tabs you use, stored only to improve the experience. We do not use third-party analytics trackers.
- Subscription data: If you upgrade to Pro or Enterprise, your payment is processed entirely by Stripe. We do not store credit card numbers or payment details.
We do not collect: student last names, student ID numbers, addresses, photos, behavioral records, academic grades, or any other information that would constitute a detailed education record under FERPA.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect solely to:
- Authenticate your account and keep your data secure
- Save and sync your seating charts across devices
- Process and manage your subscription through Stripe
- Respond to support requests you send us
- Send transactional emails (password resets, account confirmations)
We do not use your data or student data for advertising, profiling, machine learning training, or any purpose beyond operating the app.
4. How We Store and Protect Your Data
Your account and seating chart data is stored in Google Firebase Firestore, a cloud database with industry-standard encryption at rest and in transit (TLS/HTTPS).
Access controls are enforced at the database level — each user's data is locked to their authenticated account. No other user, including other drivers on the same Enterprise account unless explicitly granted access, can read or write your data.
Passwords are never stored in plain text. Authentication is handled by Firebase Authentication using bcrypt hashing.
5. FERPA Considerations
⚠️ Important note for school districts
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) governs how schools handle student education records. The Bus Buddy is designed as an individual driver tool. If your school district requires a formal Data Processing Agreement (DPA) or Business Associate Agreement before using third-party tools with any student data, please contact us at privacy@thebusbuddy.com before using the app in an official capacity.
The Bus Buddy collects only student first names and grade levels — information that drivers already have access to through their district. We treat this data with the same seriousness as any student information.
Individual drivers who use the app on their own initiative, rather than as part of a district-mandated system, take personal responsibility for the student information they choose to enter.
6. Data Sharing and Third Parties
We do not sell, rent, or trade your data or student data to any third party. Period.
We use the following third-party services to operate the app:
- Google Firebase (authentication and database) — Firebase Privacy Policy
- Stripe (payment processing for Pro subscriptions) — Stripe Privacy Policy
- Google AdMob (ads shown on free accounts) — Google Privacy Policy · AdMob Data Usage
- Google Fonts (typography) — fonts are loaded from Google's CDN
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of users.
7. Advertising (Google AdMob)
Free accounts on The Bus Buddy display advertisements served by Google AdMob (ca-app-pub-3369325088487087). Pro subscribers see no advertisements.
📋 What AdMob collects
To serve and measure ads, Google AdMob may collect: your device's advertising ID, IP address, approximate location, app usage data, and interaction data (e.g. whether you tapped an ad). This data is processed by Google under their own privacy policy.
Consent (GDPR / CCPA): When you first open the app, you will see a consent dialog powered by Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP). This dialog explains what data AdMob collects and asks for your permission before personalized ads are shown. You may choose to see non-personalized ads instead.
Personalized ads: If you consent, AdMob may use your advertising ID and browsing signals to show ads relevant to your interests. If you decline, you will still see ads but they will not be personalized.
Children: The Bus Buddy is not directed at children under 13. AdMob's child-directed treatment settings are not enabled because this app is used exclusively by adult drivers and school staff.
Student data is never used for advertising. Seating chart data, student names, and grade levels are never shared with AdMob or used for ad targeting in any way.
You can manage or opt out of ad personalization at any time at adssettings.google.com or through your device's advertising settings.
8. Cookies, Local Storage & Device Identifiers
The Bus Buddy uses browser local storage (not traditional cookies) to:
- Keep you signed in between sessions via a secure authentication token
- Remember your light/dark theme preference
- Store your selected demo subscription tier
Google AdMob may access your device's Advertising ID (GAID on Android) to serve and measure ads. You can reset or opt out of your Advertising ID at any time in your device settings under Privacy → Ads.
The Google UMP consent SDK stores your consent choice locally on your device so you are not asked again on every visit.
You can manage or opt out of ad personalization at adssettings.google.com.
9. Your Rights and Data Deletion
You have the right to:
- Access your data — everything you've entered is visible inside the app
- Correct your data — edit or clear any seat assignment at any time
- Delete your data — email us at privacy@thebusbuddy.com to request full account and data deletion. We will complete deletion within 30 days.
- Export your data — Pro users can export a CSV of all student assignments at any time from the List tab
10. Children's Privacy
The Bus Buddy is a tool for adult drivers and school staff — it is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13. Student data entered into the app is entered by adult users, not by the students themselves.
If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, please contact us at privacy@thebusbuddy.com and we will delete the account promptly.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
For significant changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify active users by email.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact:
The Bus Buddy — Privacy
📧 privacy@thebusbuddy.com
🌐 thebusbuddy.com
Developed by Michelle Minor