Introduction
The Open Economics Project (“OEP,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is an educational and social impact initiative dedicated to expanding access to economics education, economic knowledge, and educational opportunities around the world.
We advance this mission through open educational resources, digital learning tools, educational publications, essay competitions, grassroots workshops, ambassador and volunteer programs, and partnerships with schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions.
OEP recognizes the importance of protecting personal information, particularly when working with students, young people, educators, volunteers, and communities across different countries.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and otherwise process personal information in connection with our website, digital learning services, educational programs, and organizational activities.
It also describes how we use cookies and browser-based storage, the role of third-party service providers, and the privacy rights available under applicable law.
This Policy applies to OEP-operated activities unless a particular service or program provides a separate privacy notice.
1. About The Open Economics Project
The Open Economics Project is an educational and social impact initiative based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, operating under the fiscal sponsorship of an organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
OEP manages personal information in connection with its educational services, outreach initiatives, and organizational programs.z
Our fiscal sponsor may separately process information relating to donations, financial administration, and other sponsored activities.
Where the fiscal sponsor independently determines the purposes and means of processing personal information, its own privacy policies may also apply.
For questions concerning OEP's privacy practices, contact:
The Open Economics Project Atlanta, Georgia, United States Website: https://openecon.org Email: privacy@openecon.org
2. Scope of This Privacy Policy
This Policy applies to personal information collected or processed through:
- OEP's website and digital learning platform.
- Registered user accounts and educational assessments.
- Essay competitions and academic initiatives.
- Grassroots workshops, seminars, and community outreach.
- Ambassador, volunteer, and contributor programs.
- NGO, school, library, and institutional partnerships.
- Educational book distribution and open educational resource initiatives.
- Newsletters, announcements, and organizational communications.
- Applications, inquiries, feedback, and other interactions with OEP.
The information collected may vary depending on the activity and the individual's relationship with OEP.
Where activities are jointly administered with independent organizations, those organizations may also process personal information under their own privacy notices.
3. Information We Collect
We collect information that is reasonably relevant to providing our services, administering our programs, and advancing our educational mission.
3.1. Website Account Information
When users register for an OEP account, we may collect:
- Name or username.
- Email address.
- Authentication and account-related information.
- Account preferences and settings.
- Learning progress and educational activity.
- Assessment results and written responses.
- Feedback and recommendations associated with the account.
Where users register through a third-party authentication provider, OEP may receive information made available through that provider according to its authentication process and permissions.
Creating an account is optional for accessing publicly available educational resources.
3.2. Educational Activity and Learning Information
When individuals use our digital learning tools, we may process:
- Lessons and modules accessed.
- Practice questions attempted.
- Assessment responses and performance.
- Written educational submissions.
- Learning progress and completion information.
- AI-generated feedback and recommendations.
- Information necessary to maintain or personalize learning experiences.
We use this information to provide educational functionality, support learners, and improve our resources.
3.3. Visitors Without Accounts and Browser-Based Storage
OEP allows visitors to access publicly available educational resources without creating an account.
To support accessible and convenient learning, OEP may use browser-based storage technologies, including cookies, local storage, and similar mechanisms.
For users who are not signed in, supported learning information may be saved directly within their web browsers. Depending on the features used, this may include:
- Learning progress and completed lessons.
- Practice activity and assessment progress.
- User preferences and learning settings.
- Information needed to maintain continuity between browsing sessions.
This information is generally stored on the user's device rather than being associated with a registered OEP account.
Browser-based storage allows learners to retain supported learning progress without providing an email address or creating an account.
Users should be aware that browser-stored information may be lost if they clear browsing data, use private browsing modes, change devices, switch browsers, or modify browser storage settings.
OEP cannot guarantee recovery of learning progress stored only within a user's browser.
Although anonymous learning progress may be stored locally, OEP and its service providers may separately process technical information, including IP addresses, device information, and website usage data, for analytics, security, and operational purposes.
Using OEP without an account therefore does not necessarily mean that no personal information is processed.
3.4. Essay Competitions and Academic Programs
When individuals participate in OEP essay competitions or other academic initiatives, we may collect:
- Full name.
- Email address.
- School or educational institution.
- Grade level or age.
- Country or general geographic location.
- Submitted essays and academic work.
- Optional teacher or educator contact information.
- Additional information required by the relevant program.
Depending on the competition, additional information may be collected for eligibility verification, judging, communication, awards, recognition, or other administrative purposes.
Where additional information is required, OEP may provide further details through competition rules, registration forms, or supplemental privacy notices.
3.5. Ambassadors and Volunteers
Individuals applying for or participating in OEP's ambassador and volunteer programs may provide:
- Name and contact information.
- School, institution, or organizational affiliation.
- Geographic location.
- Application responses.
- Relevant interests, experience, and qualifications.
- Information about contributions, responsibilities, and participation.
OEP may maintain records relating to ambassador activities, organizational contributions, leadership responsibilities, and promotions within its programs.
Ambassadors may also contribute to OEP beyond their original ambassador roles, including through educational content development, outreach, partnerships, or other organizational initiatives.
3.6. Public Ambassador Profiles
OEP publishes ambassador profiles to recognize participants, highlight their contributions, and communicate its organizational activities.
Depending on the information approved for publication, these profiles may include:
- Names.
- Photographs.
- School or institutional affiliations.
- General locations.
- Biographical information.
- Organizational roles.
- Educational and community contributions.
Publicly available profiles may be viewed, indexed, or copied by third parties, including search engines.
OEP will provide appropriate notice and obtain consent or another valid legal basis where required before publishing personal information.
Additional parental or guardian authorization may be required for ambassadors who are minors.
Ambassadors may request correction or removal of personal information from their public profiles by contacting privacy@openecon.org.
Removal from OEP's website may not immediately remove information independently indexed, archived, or copied by third parties.
3.7. Workshops and Community Events
OEP may organize or support educational workshops, seminars, school programs, and grassroots community outreach.
Depending on the event, we may collect information necessary for registration, communication, attendance, participant safety, and program administration.
The specific information collected may vary by event and by the responsibilities of participating partner organizations.
Where an event involves photographs, recordings, additional personal information, or participation by minors, OEP will provide appropriate additional notices and obtain permissions where required.
3.8. Institutional Partnerships and Book Distribution
When collaborating with schools, libraries, NGOs, and other organizations, OEP may collect:
- Names and professional contact details of institutional representatives.
- Organization names and affiliations.
- Institutional addresses.
- Shipping and delivery information.
- Correspondence concerning partnerships and educational resource distribution.
This information is used to coordinate institutional relationships, distribute educational materials, and administer related initiatives.
3.9. Communications and Newsletters
When individuals subscribe to newsletters, contact OEP, or participate in organizational communications, we may collect:
- Names.
- Email addresses.
- Communication preferences.
- Subscription information.
- Information included in messages or inquiries.
We may maintain correspondence relating to educational opportunities, partnerships, volunteering, competitions, and organizational activities.
3.10. Technical and Analytics Information
When individuals access our website, OEP and its service providers may process technical information, including:
- IP addresses.
- Browser and device information.
- Operating system information.
- Pages visited and website interactions.
- Referring websites.
- Approximate geographic information.
- Cookies and similar identifiers.
- Diagnostic and usage information.
OEP uses Google Analytics to understand website usage and improve its educational resources.
The information collected through analytics depends on the configuration of the service, applicable consent settings, and relevant provider terms.
4. How We Use Personal Information
OEP uses personal information for purposes connected to its educational and social impact mission.
These purposes include:
Educational Services: Providing learning resources, maintaining accounts, tracking progress, evaluating responses, and generating educational feedback.
Competitions and Academic Programs: Registering participants, verifying eligibility, administering submissions, coordinating evaluations, communicating results, and managing awards or recognition.
Community Outreach: Organizing workshops, coordinating educational activities, communicating with participants, and supporting grassroots programs.
Ambassador and Volunteer Programs: Reviewing applications, coordinating activities, maintaining participation records, recognizing contributions, and administering leadership roles or promotions.
Institutional Partnerships: Communicating with schools, libraries, NGOs, and other partners, coordinating book distribution, and supporting educational initiatives.
Communications: Responding to inquiries, delivering program announcements, providing organizational updates, and distributing newsletters.
Website Improvement: Understanding usage patterns, identifying technical issues, maintaining functionality, and improving educational resources.
Safety and Integrity: Protecting users, safeguarding participants, investigating misconduct, and preventing misuse of OEP's services.
Legal and Administrative Purposes: Maintaining appropriate records, complying with applicable obligations, responding to lawful requests, and supporting organizational administration.
We seek to limit personal information processing to purposes that are relevant and reasonably necessary.
5. Legal Bases for Processing Personal Information
Where the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), UK GDPR, or similar laws apply, OEP processes personal information only where an appropriate legal basis is available.
Depending on the activity and applicable law, these bases may include:
Consent: Where individuals have agreed to a particular use, such as optional newsletters, publication of certain profile information, or non-essential tracking.
Contractual Necessity: Where processing is necessary to provide a requested service or administer an agreement with an individual.
Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for appropriate organizational purposes, such as operating educational programs, maintaining security, or coordinating partnerships, provided those interests are not overridden by individuals' rights.
Legal Obligations: Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable laws.
Other Applicable Legal Bases: Where another lawful basis is available and appropriate under the relevant jurisdiction.
The applicable legal basis depends on the specific activity and circumstances.
Where consent is required, OEP will seek valid consent and provide applicable withdrawal mechanisms.
6. Cookies, Local Storage, and Website Analytics
OEP uses cookies and other browser-based technologies to operate its website, support educational functionality, understand website usage, and improve the accessibility and effectiveness of its resources.
6.1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small files or pieces of information that websites store through a user's browser.
They may help websites remember preferences, maintain sessions, support functionality, and understand how visitors interact with online services.
OEP may also use browser local storage, which allows certain information to remain on a user's device between visits.
Local storage and cookies serve different technical purposes, but both can be used to remember information within a browser.
6.2. Types of Cookies and Storage Technologies
Depending on the website features and third-party services in use, OEP may use the following categories:
Essential Cookies and Storage
These technologies support core website functions, including authentication, security, session management, and other necessary technical operations.
Educational Progress Storage
OEP may use browser local storage or similar technologies to save supported learning progress, practice activity, and user preferences without requiring account registration.
Analytics Cookies
OEP uses Google Analytics to better understand how visitors use its website.
Analytics may provide information about page visits, engagement, traffic sources, approximate geographic distribution, device categories, and general usage patterns.
Preference Storage
Where supported, browser storage may remember user-selected preferences or settings to provide a more consistent experience.
Not all categories necessarily apply to every visitor or feature.
6.3. Google Analytics and Global Website Visitors
OEP uses Google Analytics to understand how its educational resources reach and serve learners around the world.
Our website has received visits from more than 97 countries, reflecting the international reach of our educational mission.
Google Analytics may provide aggregated or statistical information about:
- The countries and regions from which visitors access our website.
- Pages and educational resources viewed.
- General website engagement and navigation.
- Device and browser categories.
- Traffic sources and referral information.
- Usage patterns that help us improve educational accessibility.
Geographic analytics generally indicate approximate visitor locations and should not be interpreted as precise physical locations or proof of a visitor's nationality or residence.
OEP uses this information to evaluate the reach and effectiveness of its educational resources and identify opportunities for improvement.
Analytics information may be processed by Google in accordance with its applicable service terms and privacy practices.
6.4. Cookie Consent and International Privacy Requirements
Because OEP serves an international audience, cookie and tracking requirements may differ depending on a visitor's location and applicable law.
In jurisdictions requiring consent for non-essential cookies or similar tracking technologies, OEP will seek appropriate consent before activating those technologies.
Where required, users will be offered meaningful choices regarding optional analytics and tracking.
Essential technologies necessary to provide requested services may be treated differently under applicable law.
Users may withdraw consent or modify applicable cookie preferences through available controls.
6.5. Managing Cookies and Browser Storage
Users can manage or delete cookies and locally stored website information through their browser settings.
Depending on the browser, users may be able to:
- View or remove stored cookies.
- Clear website data and local storage.
- Restrict third-party cookies.
- Block certain tracking technologies.
- Use private or incognito browsing modes.
Disabling cookies or deleting local storage may affect website functionality, including account sessions, saved preferences, and locally stored learning progress.
Users should be aware that deleting browser data may permanently erase learning progress that has not been saved to a registered account.
6.6. Third-Party Technologies
OEP may use third-party services for analytics, authentication, hosting, communications, and educational functionality.
These services may process technical information or use cookies and similar technologies according to their functionality and applicable agreements.
OEP will provide relevant disclosures and obtain consent where required by applicable law.
For further information, users may review the privacy documentation of the relevant third-party providers.
7. Artificial Intelligence and Third-Party Processing
OEP uses third-party AI application programming interfaces (APIs) to support certain educational features, including automated evaluation and feedback on written responses.
When a user submits content for AI-assisted processing, relevant information may be transmitted to an external AI service provider to generate the requested response.
Depending on the feature, this information may include written answers, educational prompts, assessment context, and other information needed to provide feedback.
OEP does not require users to include unnecessary sensitive personal information in educational submissions.
The handling of information by third-party AI providers depends on the relevant provider, service configuration, contractual terms, and applicable law.
OEP will assess whether providers retain submitted content, use it for model improvement, or engage subprocessors, and will make appropriate disclosures and implement required safeguards.
OEP will not publicly publish student submissions or use them for unrelated purposes merely because they were submitted for AI-assisted feedback.
Where additional consent or authorization is required for broader use of submissions, OEP will seek it.
AI-generated responses may contain errors and should not be treated as official academic assessments.
8. Newsletters and Organizational Communications
OEP uses Mailchimp and potentially related email services to distribute newsletters, announcements, and organizational communications.
These communications may include educational opportunities, new publications, competitions, workshops, volunteer opportunities, partnerships, and organizational developments.
Where required by applicable law, we will obtain consent before sending optional promotional or newsletter communications.
Individuals may unsubscribe from optional email communications using the unsubscribe mechanism provided or by contacting OEP.
Unsubscribing from newsletters does not necessarily prevent essential service messages, account-related communications, or necessary program administration notices.
Mailchimp and other email providers may process information needed to deliver messages and manage subscriptions, subject to their applicable agreements and privacy practices.
9. Children and Young People
OEP serves students and young people through both digital and community-based educational initiatives.
We recognize that different activities may require different privacy protections depending on participants' ages, locations, and the information collected.
9.1. Website Accounts
OEP requires users to be at least 13 years old to register for a website account.
Additional age restrictions or parental consent requirements may apply under local law.
The minimum account age does not, by itself, authorize every form of data processing involving minors.
9.2. Participation by Children Under 13
Children under 13 may be eligible to participate in certain OEP programs, depending on the nature of the activity and applicable requirements.
Such participation may require parental or guardian consent and additional privacy protections.
OEP will determine appropriate procedures for collecting, using, and retaining children's information in each relevant program.
9.3. Competitions and Community Programs
For activities involving minors, OEP may require parental or guardian authorization for participation, publication of personal information, photographs, recordings, or other activities where consent is legally required.
We seek to avoid unnecessary collection of children's personal information and limit access to those who require it for legitimate program purposes.
9.4. Children's Privacy Rights
Parents or legal guardians may contact OEP regarding personal information associated with their children, subject to applicable laws and verification requirements.
OEP will respond to valid requests for access, correction, deletion, or withdrawal of consent as required by law.
10. Publication of Participant Information
OEP may publicly recognize ambassadors, volunteers, competition winners, contributors, and other participants through its website, publications, or official communications.
Public recognition may involve names, institutional affiliations, biographies, achievements, photographs, or descriptions of contributions.
OEP will use an appropriate legal basis and obtain consent where required before publishing personal information.
Special consideration will be given to participants who are minors.
Publication of an individual's original essay, written contribution, photograph, or other protected material may also require separate intellectual property permissions.
Individuals may contact OEP to request corrections or removal of published personal information, subject to applicable law.
11. Sharing Personal Information
OEP may share personal information with third parties where reasonably necessary to operate its services and programs or comply with applicable obligations.
Potential recipients include:
Technology Providers: Organizations supporting hosting, authentication, website infrastructure, analytics, and AI functionality.
Communications Providers: Mailchimp and other services used for email delivery and organizational communications.
Educational and Institutional Partners: Schools, libraries, NGOs, and other organizations involved in jointly administered activities, where sharing is necessary and appropriately authorized.
Competition Administrators and Evaluators: Authorized individuals who require access to submissions or participant information for legitimate competition purposes.
Fiscal Sponsor: The organization providing fiscal sponsorship, where information is necessary for financial administration, donations, compliance, or other agreed responsibilities.
Service Providers: Organizations supporting logistics, educational publication distribution, or other operational needs.
Legal and Regulatory Authorities: Where disclosure is required by applicable law or necessary to protect legal rights or safety.
OEP does not sell personal information in exchange for money.
However, certain analytics or tracking arrangements may be classified as “sharing,” “sale,” or targeted advertising under some privacy laws even where no money changes hands. OEP will assess its practices and provide any required notices and opt-out mechanisms.
OEP does not automatically provide unrestricted access to participant information merely because an organization is a partner.
12. Donations and Financial Information
Donations supporting OEP are handled through its fiscal sponsor.
Donation transactions and related financial information may be processed by the fiscal sponsor and its authorized payment providers.
The fiscal sponsor's privacy notice and applicable payment-provider policies may govern those transactions.
OEP may receive donor information or donation-related reports where necessary for authorized organizational purposes, subject to applicable agreements and law.
13. International Reach and Data Transfers
The Open Economics Project makes its educational resources accessible to learners and communities internationally.
OEP's website has received visitors from more than 97 countries, and our educational initiatives may involve participants, volunteers, and partner institutions across multiple jurisdictions.
Because privacy and data protection laws vary internationally, OEP seeks to apply appropriate protections based on the nature of the information processed, the individuals involved, and applicable legal requirements.
Personal information may be processed in the United States or other countries where OEP's authorized service providers operate.
Where international transfers are subject to specific legal requirements, OEP will implement the safeguards required by applicable law before making those transfers.
Depending on the circumstances, such safeguards may include approved contractual protections or other legally recognized transfer arrangements.
Individuals may contact privacy@openecon.org with questions concerning their personal information or applicable privacy rights.
14. Data Retention
OEP retains personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, including providing educational services, administering programs, maintaining appropriate records, and meeting applicable legal obligations.
Retention periods may differ depending on the type of information and the program involved.
For example, account information, educational progress, competition submissions, volunteer records, and partnership correspondence may be subject to different retention needs.
Where appropriate and legally permissible, information may be deleted, anonymized, or otherwise securely disposed of when no longer required.
Individuals may request deletion of personal information, subject to applicable legal requirements and legitimate retention needs.
Information contained in backups or archives may require additional time to be removed according to established retention procedures.
15. Information Security
OEP seeks to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, and loss.
Appropriate security measures depend on the sensitivity of the information, the technologies involved, and the risks associated with the processing activity.
No website, electronic storage system, or internet transmission method can be guaranteed completely secure.
Individuals who believe their account or personal information may have been compromised should contact privacy@openecon.org.
OEP will assess security incidents and comply with applicable notification obligations.
16. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on applicable law and an individual's location, privacy rights may include the ability to:
- Request access to personal information held about them.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion of personal information.
- Request restriction of certain processing.
- Object to certain processing activities.
- Request a portable copy of eligible personal information.
- Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.
- Opt out of certain uses of personal information where legally required.
- Lodge a complaint with a relevant data protection authority.
These rights are not absolute and may be subject to legal conditions and exceptions.
To exercise applicable rights, individuals may contact:
privacy@openecon.org
OEP may request reasonable information to verify the identity or authority of the person making a request.
We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
Individuals will not be unlawfully discriminated against for exercising their privacy rights.
17. European Union and United Kingdom Privacy Information
Where the EU GDPR or UK GDPR applies, individuals may have additional rights and protections concerning their personal information.
OEP will identify the appropriate legal basis for relevant processing activities and provide required disclosures concerning data controllers, recipients, retention, international transfers, and individual rights.
Individuals may have the right to complain to a competent data protection supervisory authority.
Where required, OEP will provide contact details for its appointed EU or UK representative.
18. United States State Privacy Rights
Residents of certain US states may have privacy rights under applicable state laws.
Depending on the relevant law and whether it applies to OEP, these may include rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain copies of personal information, as well as rights concerning certain disclosures or uses of personal data.
OEP will honor applicable rights and provide legally required notices and choices.
Nonprofit organizations may be treated differently under different state privacy laws. OEP will assess applicability rather than assume a blanket exemption based on fiscal sponsorship.
Individuals may contact privacy@openecon.org with requests or questions.
19. Third-Party Websites and Services
OEP's website and communications may contain links to external websites, resources, or services.
These third parties may collect and process personal information under their own privacy policies.
OEP does not control the privacy practices of independent third-party websites merely because they are linked from our Services.
Users should review relevant third-party privacy notices before providing information.
20. Changes to This Privacy Policy
OEP may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in its activities, technologies, data practices, legal obligations, or organizational structure.
The latest version will be available at:
We will update the revision date when changes are made.
Where changes materially affect how personal information is processed, we will provide additional notice or seek consent where required by applicable law.
21. Contact Us
For privacy questions, concerns, requests, or complaints, please contact:
The Open Economics Project Atlanta, Georgia, United States Website: https://openecon.org Email: privacy@openecon.org
For general organizational inquiries:
contact@openecon.org
For safeguarding-related concerns:
safeguarding@openecon.org
Related policies:
- Terms of Use
- Content Licensing Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
- Accessibility Statement