How we protect your data
Orbital takes the privacy of schools, families, and staff seriously. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information across our platform.
Data collection
Orbital collects information in several ways. Schools provide student records, staff details, and family contact information during setup and ongoing use. Families enter information through the family portal, including contact preferences and household details. We also collect usage data automatically, such as login times, feature usage, and system performance metrics. This information helps us improve the platform and ensure it works reliably for your school.
Payment information is collected when schools set up billing. We do not store full credit card details on our servers. Payment processing is handled by PCI-compliant third-party providers who meet the highest security standards.
How we use data
Orbital uses the information you provide to deliver core platform functionality. Student records enable attendance tracking, gradebook management, and roster organization. Family contact information powers notifications, messaging, and parent portal access. Billing data supports tuition workflows, payment processing, and financial reporting.
We also use aggregated, anonymized data to improve the platform. This includes analyzing feature usage patterns, identifying performance issues, and developing new capabilities. We never sell personal information to third parties. We do not use school or family data for marketing purposes without explicit consent.
Data sharing
Orbital shares data only when necessary to operate the platform or comply with legal obligations. We work with trusted service providers who help us deliver features like payment processing, email delivery, and data backup. These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.
We may share information when required by law, such as in response to a valid court order or government request. We will notify schools of such requests unless legally prohibited from doing so.
Your rights
Schools and families have the right to access, correct, and request deletion of personal information held by Orbital. You can export your data at any time through the platform settings. If you need assistance with data access or deletion requests, contact our privacy team.
Parents and guardians can manage their family's communication preferences and portal access through the family portal. Schools can control which staff members have access to specific student records and family information.
Security
Orbital uses industry-standard encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. All connections to the platform use HTTPS encryption. Sensitive data like student records and payment information are encrypted in our database.
We implement role-based access controls so staff members can only view information relevant to their role. Multi-factor authentication is available for enhanced account security. We conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Data retention
Orbital retains school and family data for as long as your school maintains an active account. If you close your account, we will delete your data within 30 days unless we are required to retain it by law. Backup copies may take longer to fully delete due to our data retention practices.
Cookies and tracking
Orbital uses cookies to maintain your session and remember your preferences. These are essential for the platform to function properly. We do not use tracking cookies for marketing or analytics beyond what is necessary to improve the platform experience.
Third-party services
Orbital integrates with third-party services to extend platform functionality. These may include single sign-on providers, payment processors, and data backup services. Each third-party service has its own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing those policies to understand how they handle your data.
Contact us
If you have questions about this privacy policy or how Orbital handles your data, contact our privacy team at privacy@orbital.io. We will respond to privacy inquiries within 10 business days. For urgent security concerns, please reach out to security@orbital.io.