1. Scope
This policy applies to markdownmash.com and the official hosted service operated by Ensemble Methods. Independent self-hosted installations control their own data and should provide their own privacy notice.
2. Information we process
- Host accounts: display name, email address, password hash, verification and account status, subscription identifiers and status, and support messages.
- Quiz sessions: quiz content, Mash group, room status, dates, settings, and analytics.
- Participants: the name or nickname entered, assigned Sidekick, answers, correctness, scores, response times, rank, and join time. Participants do not create hosted accounts.
- Security and operations: login and account activity, relevant IP addresses, event identifiers, and technical logs used for fraud prevention, rate limiting, troubleshooting, and service integrity.
- Device storage: essential browser local or session storage used to keep hosts signed in, reconnect participants to a room, and operate temporary guest trials. Markdown Mash does not currently use advertising trackers.
Stripe collects and processes payment-card and billing details on its hosted pages. Markdown Mash does not receive or store complete card numbers.
3. How we use information
We use information to provide live quizzes and analytics, authenticate accounts, process subscriptions, deliver verification and service emails, provide support, protect the service, enforce limits, diagnose failures, and meet legal obligations. We do not sell personal information or use participant data for targeted advertising.
4. Hosts, schools, and participants
The host or organization decides what quiz content to use, who joins, and what participant name is appropriate. For participant information, Ensemble Methods processes the data to provide the service on the host’s behalf. Hosts should use the minimum information needed—usually a nickname or first name—and should not request sensitive personal information through a Mash.
Do not direct a child under 13 to use the hosted service unless a parent or an authorized school or district has approved that educational use and provided the notices or consent required by applicable law. School authorization must come from someone with authority to act for the school or district. A parent, school, or host may contact us about a participant privacy request at info@markdownmash.com.
5. Service providers
We share information only as needed with providers that help operate Markdown Mash, including Render for application hosting, Supabase for the PostgreSQL database, Stripe for billing and subscription management, and Resend for transactional email. These providers handle information under their own terms and privacy commitments.
6. Retention and deletion
Quiz sessions and participant results remain available to the host until the host deletes the session or the information is otherwise removed under our retention practices. Account, subscription, security, and transaction records may be retained as needed to provide the service, resolve disputes, prevent abuse, and satisfy legal or accounting obligations. Temporary guest trials are held in server memory and expire automatically.
To request access, correction, or deletion, email info@markdownmash.com. We may need to verify your identity and may retain limited records where legally required. Participants should identify the host and room when possible so we can locate the relevant session.
7. Security
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards, including password hashing, signed sessions, access controls, encrypted HTTPS connections, and restricted server-side credentials. No online service can guarantee absolute security. Hosts should use unique passwords and sign out on shared devices.
8. International use
Markdown Mash is operated by a United States company and uses service providers that may process information in the United States and other countries. Privacy protections may differ from those in your location. We handle requests in accordance with applicable law.
9. Changes and contact
We may update this policy as the service changes and will post the revised effective date here. Questions, privacy requests, or concerns can be sent to info@markdownmash.com.