# PathMax Privacy Policy (draft)
**Brand:** PathMax / Plain Steps **Contact:** jdcpe17@gmail.com **Last updated:** 8 September 2026
This is a draft for Play listing and counsel review. It is not legal advice.
## Who we are
PathMax is a faceless consumer product. This policy does not publish an owner legal name. Questions: jdcpe17@gmail.com.
## What the app does
PathMax helps people compare education and training routes (including non-college routes) after an on-device aptitude quiz. Path Optimizer is the paid product.
## Data we process
**On the device**
- Aptitude answers and Ability Index (not IQ, not a diagnosis) - Path Optimizer inputs you type (GPA, SAT/ACT, household income, ZIP, savings, borrow limit, commute, scholarships, relocate / live-at-home) - Saved scenarios you choose to store
These stay in app storage unless you export, share, or print them.
**On the HTTPS gateway (only if a backend URL is configured)**
- Optimizer profile fields needed to fetch public education and labor datasets - No provider API keys are stored in the Android package
**Live data sources (server-side)**
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard - CareerOneStop / BLS-style wage and occupation data - O*NET Web Services - Apprenticeship.gov program search - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board policy text for Texas Direct / core curriculum (seeded)
## What we do not do
- We do not sell your aptitude or family-finance inputs. - We do not use the quiz as a medical, psychological, or special-education evaluation. - We do not collect payment card numbers in the WebView. One-time unlock uses Google Play Billing (`path_optimizer`) when that product is live. - We do not put College Scorecard, CareerOneStop, or O*NET secrets in the APK.
## Sharing
You may export JSON, print, or share a summary using Android system sheets. That sharing is initiated by you.
Google Play processes purchases under Google’s terms.
## Children
PathMax is built for families making postsecondary decisions, including teens with a parent or counselor. We do not knowingly create accounts for children under 13. A parent or guardian should submit the Play purchase.
## Retention
Saved scenarios remain until you delete them or uninstall the app (subject to Android backup rules). Gateway logs, if any, should be kept only as long as needed to operate the service.
## Your requests
Email jdcpe17@gmail.com to ask what is stored on the gateway or to request deletion of server logs associated with your messages.
## Changes
We will update this draft in the repository and, once a public URL exists, on that URL.