Privacy Policy - How We Protect Your Data

Introduction

At Concept Map Maker ("we," "our," or "us"), we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

A concept map is a diagram that shows how concepts relate to each other, and the editor is structured so those relationships can stay on your device. For broader definitions of local-first tools and web storage, see local-first software and web storage.

Privacy Practice Snapshot

Information We Collect

We believe in minimal data collection. Unlike many online tools, we store your concept maps locally on your device, giving you complete control over your data. Learn more about ourconcept mapping approach.

Information You Provide

• Contact Information: When you email us at support@conceptmapmaker.org, we receive your email address and the content of your message so we can reply.
• Concept Maps: The concept maps you create using our online editor are stored locally in your browser and are not transmitted to our servers — unless you export them yourself or create a share link (see Sharing your maps below).

Information Automatically Collected

• Usage Data: We may collect information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and features used.
• Device Information: We collect information about your device, including browser type, operating system, and IP address.
• Cookies: We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze website usage.

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services
• To respond to your inquiries and support requests
• To improve our website and user experience
• To analyze usage patterns and trends
• To comply with legal obligations

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage

Your concept maps are stored locally in your browser using localStorage technology. This means:

• Your data remains on your device and is not automatically uploaded to our servers
• You maintain full control over your concept map data
• Data may be lost if you clear your browser data or use a different device

Sharing your maps (share links)

When you use the Share feature, your map is not uploaded to a private account. Instead, the entire map (its concepts, connections and title) is encoded directly into the share URL. This has important consequences you should understand before sharing:

• Anyone with the link can view the map. There is no password, no access control, and no login required to open a share link.
• Links cannot currently be revoked or set to expire. Once you share a URL, you cannot un-share it; anyone who saved it keeps access.
• The link may be recorded by others. Because the map lives inside the URL, it can appear in browser history, server and CDN access logs, chat previews, and analytics wherever the link is opened or pasted.
• Do not put sensitive information in a map you share. Avoid patient data, student records, account credentials, trade secrets or anything confidential in maps you turn into share links.
• Very large maps may not share. Because the whole map sits in the URL, large maps can exceed browser or platform URL-length limits.

Share pages are marked noindex so they are not added to search engines, and creating a share link is always an explicit action — nothing is published to a URL unless you choose to share.

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

Third-Party Services

On our content pages (such as the home page, guides, templates and blog) we load the following third-party services. They are not loaded on the editor or on share pages, so share-link map data is not sent to them.

Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings. Where required by law, these services load only after you provide consent through our consent banner, and you can change or withdraw that choice at any time.

Analytics

We use the analytics services listed above to understand how our website is used. Depending on how each tool is configured, this data is pseudonymous or aggregated rather than tied to your identity. This helps us improve ourconcept mapping tool and create bettereducational resources.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can request information about the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: You can request correction of inaccurate personal data
• Deletion: You can request deletion of your personal data
• Opt-out: You can opt out of certain data collection and processing

Cookies Policy

We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide and improve our services. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Advertising Cookies: Used to display relevant advertisements

Children's Privacy

This is a general-audience site; it is not directed to children under 13. Some templates are labeled with school grade levels (for example, Grade 4–8) because they are educational resources intended for teachers, parents, and older students to use — not an invitation for younger children to create accounts or submit personal information. The editor requires no account, and map content stays in your browser during normal editing (see “Local Storage” and “Sharing your maps” above).

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us and we will remove it.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this privacy policy.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new privacy policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this privacy policy periodically.

Contact Us About Privacy

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us. You can also check our user guide for information about data handling in our concept mapping tool.

• Email: privacy@conceptmapmaker.org
• Through our contact page
• Review our Terms of Service for additional information

Legal Basis for Processing (EU Residents)

If you are a resident of the European Union, our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information depends on the specific information and the context in which we collect it:

• Legitimate interests in providing and improving our services
• Your consent when explicitly given
• Compliance with legal obligations
• Performance of a contract with you

Frequently Asked Questions