Higher Resources (HR)

1. Introduction and Scope

Higher Resources (HR) ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of all users of our website and mobile applications. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you access or use our digital platforms, including www.higherresources.org and our iOS and Android mobile applications (collectively, the "Platform").

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Platform immediately.

This Policy is adopted in compliance with: the California Consumer Privacy Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1798.100–1798.199.100, as amended by CPRA); the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA); the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA, 15 U.S.C. §§ 6501–6506); the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 45); and all other applicable California and federal privacy laws.

2. Definitions

• Personal Information means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, to a particular consumer or household. It does not include de-identified, aggregate, or publicly available information.
• Sensitive Personal Information includes: Social Security numbers; government-issued ID numbers; financial account credentials; precise geolocation; racial or ethnic origin; religious beliefs; health or medical information; sex life or sexual orientation; immigration or citizenship status; biometric information; and genetic information.
• Sale means the disclosure of personal information to a third party for monetary or other valuable consideration.
• Sharing means the disclosure of personal information to a third party for cross-context behavioral advertising.
• Consumer means a California resident, as defined by CCPA/CPRA.

3. Information We Collect

4. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information only to the extent reasonably necessary for our business purposes, including:

• Providing, maintaining, and improving the Platform
• Processing payments and managing your account
• Communicating with you about services, updates, and events
• Providing compliance education, training materials, and professional resources
• Responding to your inquiries and customer service requests
• Complying with legal obligations
• Detecting, preventing, and addressing fraud or security incidents
• Internal analytics and business improvement
• Sending promotional communications (with your consent, where required by law)

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or share personal information for commercial purposes unrelated to our mission. We may disclose personal information to:

• Service Providers: Vendors performing services on our behalf (hosting, payment processing, email delivery, analytics) under written data protection agreements
• Legal Compliance: When required by court order, subpoena, regulatory requirement, or applicable law
• Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Higher Resources, its users, or the public
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, with prior notice to users
• With Your Consent: For any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and similar technologies to operate and improve the Platform. Types of cookies include:

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: Required for the Platform to function; cannot be disabled
• Performance/Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform (opt-out available)
• Functional Cookies: Enable personalization features (opt-out available)
• Advertising/Targeting Cookies: Used to deliver relevant content (opt-out available)

You may manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our Cookie Preference Center. Our Platform honors Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals in compliance with California law (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.135).

7. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16 without verifiable parental consent, we will delete that information promptly. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us at info@higherresources.org.

For users between ages 13 and 15 (where applicable under COPPA), we will not sell or share their personal information without affirmative authorization in compliance with CPRA Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.120(d).

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Retention periods vary by data type. Upon expiration of the applicable retention period, we will delete or anonymize personal information, or if deletion is not feasible, securely isolate and protect it.

9. Security

We implement commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information, including encryption in transit (TLS), access controls, regular security assessments, and vendor due diligence. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. In the event of a breach involving your personal information, we will notify you as required by California Civil Code § 1798.82 and applicable federal law.

10. Your Privacy Rights

See Policy 5 (CCPA / California Privacy Rights) for a full description of your rights and how to exercise them.

11. International Users

The Platform is operated in the United States. If you access the Platform from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using the Platform, you consent to such transfer.

12. Do-Not-Track and Global Privacy Control

Our Platform does not respond to browser Do-Not-Track (DNT) signals. However, we honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals as required under California law. See Policy 4 for more information about opting out of sale or sharing.

13. Mobile Application Privacy

Our iOS and Android applications may collect additional information with your permission, including: precise geolocation (if enabled); camera or photo library access (for profile photos or document uploads); push notification preferences. You may revoke permissions at any time through your device settings. We do not access your contacts, microphone, or biometric data without your explicit consent.

14. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the 'Last Updated' date and, where appropriate, by providing notice via email or prominent notice on the Platform. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

16. Contact Us

Higher Resources (HR)
1401 21st ST STE R, Sacramento, CA 95811
Email: info@higherresources.org
Website: www.higherresources.org