Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Welcome to Alder Branch LLC (“Alder Branch,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By accessing or using the Alder Branch web application (the “Platform”), you agree to these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

1. Purpose and Educational Use

Alder Branch provides educational tools, AI-supported guidance, planning assistance, and resource organization for educators, students, families, and institutions.

All content generated, displayed, or surfaced through Alder Branch is educational and informational in nature, is designed to support thinking, reflection, planning, and learning, and does not constitute legal, medical, psychological, clinical, or other professional advice.

You remain solely responsible for how you interpret, apply, or act upon any information obtained through the Platform.

2. AI-Assisted Content and User Judgment

Alder Branch uses advanced artificial intelligence systems to assist users. By using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree that AI-generated content may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated, AI responses are guidance rather than guarantees, and significant decisions should be verified, contextualized, and triangulated using trusted sources or qualified professionals.

We encourage deliberate, critical, and professional judgment when using AI-assisted outputs.

3. Technology Infrastructure and Data Security

Alder Branch is built using modern, secure technologies, including Next.js for application development and code separation, Railway for application hosting and enterprise infrastructure, Supabase for data management and authentication, Supabase Vault for encryption of sensitive data at rest, and secure APIs and access-controlled repositories.

We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect user data.

HIPAA-Capable Infrastructure

For applicable plans and district deployments, Alder Branch operates on HIPAA-capable infrastructure through Railway, which may include execution of a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) where required, encrypted data handling, and enterprise authentication options including SAML Single Sign-On (SSO).

HIPAA-capable infrastructure is available for district and institutional deployments and for use cases involving Protected Health Information (PHI).

Not all individual plans involve PHI. HIPAA compliance applies only where explicitly enabled through contractual agreement.

4. District-Specific Servers and Custom Deployments

Alder Branch supports individualized district deployments, which may include dedicated or segmented data environments, customized configurations and workflows, enhanced access controls, and district-specific policies and permissions.

Such deployments are governed by separate written agreements in addition to these Terms.

5. Data Storage, Retention, and Deletion

User data may be stored in structured databases and internal data sheets to support Platform functionality, continuity, and support.

Users may request deletion of their data through clicking the Signpost in the bottom right corner and then Lantern to make a report or by emailing asknow@alderbranch.org. Deletion requests are typically processed within one to two weeks. Certain records may be retained temporarily where required for legal, security, or operational purposes.

Once deletion is completed, data is permanently removed from active systems, subject to applicable legal obligations.

6. International Users and Cross-Border Data Transfers

Alder Branch is operated from the United States. By accessing or using the Platform, international users consent to storage and processing of data on United States–based servers and to cross-border data transfers necessary for Platform operation.

We apply consistent data protection practices regardless of user location.

7. User Conduct

You agree to use the Platform lawfully and respectfully, not misuse the Platform for illegal, harmful, deceptive, or exploitative purposes, not attempt to reverse engineer, scrape, disrupt, or interfere with Platform systems, and respect intellectual property rights and access controls.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access for violations of these Terms.

8. Availability, Updates, and Platform Changes

Alder Branch is an evolving platform. You acknowledge that downtime, maintenance, or interruptions may occur, features may change, be updated, or be discontinued, and we do not guarantee uninterrupted access or permanent availability of any feature.

We aim for reliability, not immutability.

9. No Warranties and Limitation of Liability

The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.”

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Alder Branch disclaims all warranties, including implied warranties of accuracy, completeness, and fitness for a particular purpose.

Alder Branch LLC is not liable for damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, the Platform.

10. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

By signing in or continuing to use Alder Branch, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms.

Let’s build the future, thoughtfully, critically, and together.