Focus Group Terms & Consent

Version: 1.0

Effective Date: January 2026

Last Updated: December 30, 2025

Overview

Thank you for participating in a SEEN:app focus group. This document explains how your data will be collected, used, and protected during your participation.

Important: Focus group tracking is different from standard SEEN:app usage. By joining a focus group, you consent to identifiable activity tracking for educational and product improvement purposes.

Focus group participation is completely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without affecting your access to SEEN:app.

What Data We Collect

During your focus group participation, we collect the following engagement metrics linked to your email address:

  • Journaling Patterns: Frequency of journal entries, days active, session timing
  • Feature Usage: Which features you use (chat, reflection, patterns & echoes, etc.)
  • Engagement Metrics: Session duration, return frequency, completion rates
  • Avatar Generation: Number of custom avatars created (within weekly limits)
  • Device Information: Device type (iPhone/Android), app version

What we do NOT collect: Your actual journal content, chat conversations with Fathom, or any personal reflections. These remain private and encrypted on your device, just like for all SEEN:app users.

How Your Data is Linked

Unlike standard SEEN:app usage (which is anonymous), focus group data is linked to your email address. This allows us to:

  • Track your engagement throughout the focus group period
  • Generate class-level insights for instructors
  • Follow up with you about your experience
  • Provide personalized support if needed

Duration of Tracking

Your focus group access and tracking lasts for:

  • Active Period: The duration of your class/program term
  • Grace Period: 6 months after the term ends
  • After Expiration: You retain free-tier access to SEEN:app, but identifiable tracking stops

How We Use Your Data

Your engagement data helps us:

  • Class Insights: Provide aggregate reports to your instructor about class-wide engagement
  • Product Improvement: Understand which features resonate and which need work
  • Research: Contribute to understanding how journaling and AI companions support wellbeing
  • Support: Identify and assist participants who may be struggling with the app

Your data is never sold. We do not share individual-level data with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes.

Data Retention & Deletion

  • During Participation: Engagement data is stored securely on our servers
  • After Program Ends: Data is retained for up to 2 years for research purposes
  • Anonymization: After retention period, data is anonymized (email removed)
  • Deletion Request: You may request deletion of your identifiable data at any time

Your Rights

As a focus group participant, you have the right to:

  • Withdraw: Leave the focus group at any time without penalty
  • Access: Request a copy of the engagement data we've collected about you
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your identifiable data
  • Questions: Contact us with any concerns about your data

Withdrawal Note: If you withdraw, previously collected data may be retained in anonymized form for research purposes, but no new identifiable data will be collected.

Contact Information

For questions about your focus group participation or data:

Consent Acknowledgment

By entering a class code in SEEN:app, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these terms and consent to:

  • Identifiable tracking of your app engagement during the focus group period
  • Sharing of aggregate class insights with your instructor
  • Use of your engagement data for product improvement and research

This document supplements the main SEEN:app Privacy Policy. In case of conflict, these Focus Group Terms take precedence for focus group participants.