About this policy

Rookwise is an AI-supported learning platform for South African learners in Grades 4 to 12, aligned to the CAPS curriculum and available in English and Afrikaans. Rookwise is operated by ROOKWISE AI (PTY) LTD, a company registered in South Africa (Registration number: 2026/521856/07). This policy explains what personal information we collect through our website and application, why we collect it, how we use and protect it, and the choices and rights available to learners and their parents or guardians.

This policy is written with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) in mind. Where this policy refers to a "parent", it includes a legal guardian or other competent person responsible for a learner under the age of 18.

Information we collect

We collect the following categories of personal information:

• Account information: name, email address, password credentials, account type (learner or parent) and language preference.
• Learner profile information: the learner's first name or display name, grade, subjects and preferred language of instruction.
• Parent information: the contact details of the parent or guardian linked to a learner account, and the link between the parent and learner accounts.
• Learning activity and progress data: questions asked, topics studied, quiz and flashcard results, time spent and progress indicators used to personalise learning support and to display progress in the Parent Hub.
• AI tutor interactions: the messages, questions and answers exchanged with Rook, together with any context the learner supplies about the task.
• Uploaded content: where the service allows it, photographs or images of homework, worksheets or notes, and voice input submitted for transcription. These are collected only when the learner chooses to submit them.
• Payment and subscription information: the plan selected, subscription status and billing history. Card details are entered with our payment provider and are not stored by Rookwise.
• Cookies and technical information: device and browser type, IP address, log data, and cookies or similar technologies needed to keep you signed in, remember preferences and understand how the service is used.

Why we collect information and how we use it

We rely on the consent of the user or, for a learner under 18, of a parent or guardian; on the performance of our agreement with you; on our legitimate interests in operating and securing the service; and on legal obligations, as applicable under POPIA.

• To create and manage accounts and to authenticate users.
• To provide the learning service, including generating explanations pitched at the learner's grade and language.
• To personalise practice, quizzes, flashcards and revision suggestions.
• To show learning activity and progress to the learner and to a linked parent account.
• To process subscriptions, payments and plan changes.
• To maintain the security, reliability and fair use of the service, and to detect and prevent misuse.
• To provide customer and technical support and to respond to enquiries.
• To improve the quality, accuracy and safety of the service.
• To comply with legal obligations.

AI processing

Rookwise uses artificial intelligence to generate explanations, guidance and practice material. When a learner asks Rook a question, submits an image or uses voice input, that content is processed to produce a response. Content may also be processed to keep the service safe and to check that it is being used appropriately.

AI-generated content can be incomplete or incorrect. Rookwise is intended as additional learning support and does not replace a teacher, a school or professional advice.

Third-party service providers

We use third-party providers to operate the service, including hosting and infrastructure, authentication, AI processing, payment processing, email delivery and analytics. These providers process personal information on our behalf and are required to keep it confidential and to use it only for the purposes we specify.

Some providers may process information outside South Africa. Where that happens, we take reasonable steps to ensure the information continues to receive a level of protection consistent with POPIA.

We do not sell personal information.

Data security

We apply reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, alteration and disclosure. These include encrypted connections, access controls, authentication requirements and restricting internal access to information on a need-to-know basis.

No online service can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users are responsible for keeping their account credentials confidential and for notifying us of any suspected unauthorised access.

Data retention and deletion

We keep personal information for as long as an account remains active and for as long as is necessary to provide the service, to meet legal, accounting or reporting obligations, and to resolve disputes or enforce our agreements.

When an account is deleted, we delete or anonymise the associated personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain certain records by law. You may request deletion at any time by contacting us at info@rookwiseai.com.

Children's and minors' privacy

Rookwise is designed for school learners, many of whom are under 18. We encourage parents and guardians to be actively involved in a minor learner's use of Rookwise, including in the creation and supervision of their account. Where applicable law requires parental or guardian consent for the processing of a child's personal information, Rookwise may require consent or verification from a parent or guardian before or during the learner's use of the service.

A linked parent account can view the learner's activity and progress through the Parent Hub. Parents may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their child's information, and may withdraw consent, which will end the learner's use of the service.

We collect only the information needed to provide age-appropriate learning support, and we do not use learner information for behavioural advertising.

Your privacy rights

Subject to POPIA and other applicable law, you have the right to:

• Ask what personal information we hold about you and request access to it.
• Request correction of information that is inaccurate, irrelevant, misleading or out of date.
• Request deletion of information we are no longer entitled to keep.
• Object to certain processing of your personal information.
• Withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@rookwiseai.com. We may need to verify your identity, and for a learner account we may need to confirm the request with the linked parent or guardian.

Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for the service to function, such as keeping a user signed in and remembering language preferences, as well as cookies that help us understand how the site and application are used. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, although doing so may affect how the service works.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the date below and, where appropriate, notify users through the service or by email. Continued use of Rookwise after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact us

For any privacy question, request or complaint, including requests to access, correct or delete personal information, contact us at info@rookwiseai.com.