Privacy Policy

1. WHO THIS POLICY APPLIES TO

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Contest administrators
• Organization staff
• Judges and evaluators
• Participants and entrants
• Visitors to Contest Engine websites and applications

Contest Engine acts primarily as a technology service provider on behalf of sponsoring organizations ("Clients") that administer contests, challenges, campaigns, recognition programs, showcases, and participation initiatives.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

Depending on how a Client configures the platform, a private Contest Engine account may be set up to collect personal information from a participant. The client may collect any textual information, URL links, or email addresses willingly submitted by a participant. Technically, Contest Engine also collects:

Submission Content

• Videos
• Images
• Metadata associated with uploaded content

Technical Information

• IP addresses
• Browser type
• Device information
• Login activity
• Platform usage information
• Error and diagnostic logs

3. HOW INFORMATION IS USED

Contest Engine uses information solely to:

• Operate platform services
• Process submissions
• Manage judging workflows
• Generate results and rankings
• Provide customer support
• Maintain platform security
• Improve platform reliability and performance
• Fulfill contractual obligations

Contest Engine does not sell participant information, nor does it require any personal information to participate in a contest. Any personal information collected is done by the client and is only used for their internal contest operations.

Contest Engine does not use participant data, uploaded files, videos, images, or submission content to train artificial intelligence systems, machine learning models, large language models, or similar automated learning technologies.

4. CLIENT CONTROL OF DATA

Clients determine:

• What information is collected
• What fields are required
• Who may access their platform
• Contest eligibility requirements
• Publication and recognition practices

Clients remain responsible for compliance with applicable laws and policies governing participant information.

5. STUDENT DATA

For educational and youth-serving organizations:

• Contest Engine acts as a service provider to the sponsoring organization.
• Schools, districts, associations, and educational organizations remain responsible for FERPA compliance.
• Organizations collecting information from children are responsible for COPPA compliance and parental consent requirements.
• Contest Engine does not knowingly collect more information than is necessary to provide platform services.

6. INFORMATION SHARING

Contest Engine does not sell or rent personal information.

Information may be shared:

• With authorized Client administrators
• With authorized judges and evaluators as configured by the Client
• With service providers supporting platform operations
• When required by law or legal process
• To protect platform security and integrity

7. DATA SECURITY

Contest Engine maintains commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

No internet-based system can guarantee absolute security.

8. DATA RETENTION

Unless otherwise specified by contract:

• Submission content and all contest records are generally retained for up to 180 days after program completion.
• Certain backup and disaster recovery copies may remain for limited operational periods.
• Extended storage services may be purchased separately.

9. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Contest Engine may utilize third-party providers for hosting, storage, authentication, email delivery, analytics, video processing, and related services.

10. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

Contest Engine may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Updated versions will be posted with a revised effective date.

11. CONTACT

Media Education Solutions, Inc.

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed through the contact information provided on the Contest Engine website.