1. Introduction

SkyRate AI ("SkyRate," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website skyrate.ai and provides an E-Rate funding intelligence platform (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you register for an account, we collect:

Name and email address
Company or organization name
Role type (Consultant, Vendor, or Applicant)
USAC identifiers: CRN (Consultant Registration Number), SPIN (Service Provider Identification Number), or BEN (Billed Entity Number)
Phone number (optional, for SMS alerts)

2.2 E-Rate Data

We access publicly available E-Rate program data from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including FRN (Funding Request Number) statuses, Form 470 filings, and funding commitment data. This data is publicly available through the USAC Open Data platform.

2.3 Usage Information

We automatically collect:

Browser type and version
Pages visited and features used
Search queries within the platform
Device information and IP address
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.4 Payment Information

Payment processing is handled by Stripe. We do not store your credit card numbers or banking details on our servers. Stripe's privacy policy governs the handling of payment data.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
Monitor E-Rate funding requests and send status alerts
Generate AI-powered denial analysis and appeal letters
Send notifications via email, push notifications, or SMS based on your preferences
Process payments and manage subscriptions
Provide customer support
Analyze usage patterns to improve our platform
Comply with legal obligations

4. SMS/Text Messaging

If you opt in to SMS notifications during onboarding or in your account settings, you consent to receive text messages from SkyRate AI at the phone number you provide.

4.1 Opt-In

You may opt in to SMS notifications by completing the phone verification step during onboarding on our website, enabling SMS alerts in your account settings, or by texting the keyword START to our messaging number. By opting in, you agree to receive the message types described below.

4.2 Message Types

Phone number verification codes
FRN status change alerts
Funding denial notifications
Appeal deadline reminders
Important account notifications

4.3 Message Frequency & Rates

Message frequency varies based on your alert preferences (real-time, every 6 hours, daily, or weekly). Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan. SMS consent is not required as a condition of purchasing the Service.

4.4 Opt-Out & Help Keywords

You can manage SMS notifications with these keywords:

STOP — Reply STOP to any message to unsubscribe from all SMS notifications
START — Text START to re-subscribe to SMS notifications
HELP — Reply HELP for assistance. You will receive a message with support contact information

You may also disable SMS in your account settings at any time.

4.5 SMS Data Usage

We will not use your phone number for marketing purposes. SMS is used solely for account verification and the alert notifications you have opted into. We do not share your phone number with third parties for their marketing purposes.

4.6 Carrier Disclaimer

Supported carriers include but are not limited to AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and all major US carriers. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

5. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

Service providers: Stripe (payments), Twilio (SMS), Google Workspace (email), and cloud hosting providers that help us operate the Service
AI providers: We send anonymized or de-identified E-Rate data to AI services (DeepSeek, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude) for denial analysis and appeal generation. We do not send your personal contact information to AI providers.
Legal requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or legal process
Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including:

Encrypted data transmission (TLS/HTTPS)
Hashed passwords using bcrypt
JWT-based authentication with secure token management
Rate limiting on authentication endpoints
Regular security audits and monitoring

While we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., billing records).

E-Rate program data sourced from USAC is publicly available and may be retained independently of your account.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
Delete your account and associated personal data
Opt out of email, SMS, or push notifications at any time
Export your data in a portable format
Withdraw consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis

To exercise these rights, contact us at contact us.

9. Cookies

We use essential cookies to maintain your authentication session and remember your preferences. We do not use third-party advertising cookies. You can configure your browser to reject cookies, though this may affect the functionality of the Service.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have additional rights under the CCPA, including the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion, and opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at contact us.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us at:

Email: contact us
Website: https://skyrate.ai