MethodLens offers guest mode and private learner accounts. Guest learning drafts stay in the current browser and are not uploaded to account storage. A verified identity, basic profile, learning paths, practice results, progress, and Workpad data are stored for the account and cached in the browser. MethodLens has no advertising, connected professional AI model, or active research database.
1. Who this policy covers
MethodLens is an early-stage mathematics-learning project based in Alabama, United States. This policy applies to the MethodLens website and interactive preview at themethodlens.com.
The planned first pilot is for invited students ages 15–17. The service is not directed to children under 13, and children under 13 should not submit information or participate.
2. Account and learning data
When you create an account, the identity provider shares a stable account identifier, email address, and—when available—your name. MethodLens stores the display name and learning stage you choose, policy acceptance date and version, account dates, and the following learning information:
- Up to 50 study cases containing the problem text, what the student thought or tried, an optional answer, confidence, the suggested concept lesson, and level progress. Cases may also include revised steps, up to two small Workpad snapshots, practice-question text, whether hints or solutions were used, and a next-review date.
- Learning-event type and time, such as starting a session or attempting method recognition.
- Optional event details such as topic, clue, selected method, correctness, confidence category, or duration.
- Up to the 500 most recent learning events associated with the account.
- Workpad preferences and drafts, including typed work, drawing strokes, calculator expressions, data-table values, and regression settings.
The browser keeps a working copy for responsiveness. When the student is signed in, MethodLens synchronizes that copy to account storage so progress can survive later sessions. Guest work and old, unowned preview data are not automatically imported into an account. Guest drafts are separate from each signed-in account, do not sync across devices, and may be lost when browser data is cleared or private browsing ends. Anyone using the same browser profile can access its guest draft; use Clear guest work when finished on a shared device.
Guest mode
No MethodLens account or email is required to try as a guest. Problems, attempts, progress, and Workpad drafts are processed in the browser by the starter engine. These drafts are not a cloud backup. Clear guest work in the workspace or on the Data Rights page. A small session cookie remembers whether you chose guest or account mode; it does not identify or authenticate you. Essential hosting logs described below still apply.
3. Problem text and AI
Problem text and the student's first thought are stored as part of an account study case so the app can build the lesson, practice levels, concept-transfer checks, and later review. Workpad content is also saved to the account. None of this content is included in the anonymous learning-event export or currently sent to an external AI model.
The present diagnosis comes from a bounded, reviewed starter library for algebra, geometry, probability, and statistics. If a professional AI provider is connected later, MethodLens will update this policy and explain what is sent, why it is needed, how long it is retained, and what choices users have before enabling the integration.
4. Anonymous exports
The Progress page lets a user download an optional JSON snapshot. The export contains summary counts and learning events, including any topic, clue, method, confidence, and outcome fields the user saved, but intentionally omits the account identifier. It does not include a name, email address, original problem, first thought, optional answer, or Workpad content.
The file remains under the user's control unless the user chooses to share it. A future research study will use a separate consent and collection process rather than silently collecting these exports.
Optional photos and product feedback
The photo reader processes a selected image on the device using locally served recognition software. MethodLens does not upload or store the original photo. Cropping and recognition are temporary; only text you review and explicitly insert becomes part of the question. Printed text can be misread, particularly mathematical notation. Please remove names and check every symbol.
“Something seems wrong” sends a report only when you press Send report. It contains a random report reference, category, page label, optional note, submission time, and—only if you select it—the exact problem and explanation shown in the preview. Reports are stored separately in private MethodLens product-feedback storage, without adding your account identifier or email address. Your note can still identify you if you include identifying details, so please do not.
Reports are used to investigate errors and improve the product, not to enroll you in research. They remain in active storage for review until deleted; a fixed automatic deletion schedule is not yet implemented. To request deletion, contact MethodLens with the report reference. Deleting an account does not automatically delete these unlinked reports. Normal hosting logs still apply to requests.
Optional AI tutoring
The help panel states whether the AI service is connected. While it says it is not connected, no chat content is sent to an AI provider. When the owner enables it, a user must acknowledge AI sharing before sending a question. Only the recent messages shown in that chat are sent to OpenAI; the app does not automatically send account details, stored problems, learning history or Workpad contents. Anything you paste into the chat becomes part of that submission.
OpenAI processes submitted text to produce an answer and check input and output safety. MethodLens requests that generated responses not be stored for later retrieval, but this is not a guarantee of zero retention: provider abuse-monitoring logs may retain prompts and responses for up to 30 days, or longer in limited circumstances. See OpenAI API data controls.
MethodLens does not persist chat transcripts in its learner database or browser storage. Reloading the page or choosing New chat clears the displayed conversation; it does not delete provider logs. Shared time-bucket usage counters are stored to enforce preview limits, without prompt text, account identifiers or IP addresses. Normal hosting logs still apply. A voluntarily submitted feedback report may include the chat excerpt shown in its preview.
This tool is for ages 13 and up and is not live human support, emergency assistance, or a source of guaranteed answers. Do not include names, contact information or sensitive personal data. For account or privacy questions contact MethodLens. For urgent personal safety concerns, seek help from a trusted adult or appropriate local emergency services.
External video lessons
Optional lesson links open the educator's own site in a new tab. MethodLens does not embed a third-party video player or load it automatically. Visiting an external link is subject to that provider's privacy policy and terms. Your saved problem is not included in the video link.
5. Hosting, authentication, and essential logs
ChatGPT Sites currently hosts MethodLens and provides the secure identity check used for account access. MethodLens receives the account identifier, email address, and optional display name described above; it does not receive the user's password. Hosting and security providers may process IP address, browser information, essential cookies, request logs, and security signals to deliver and protect the service.
MethodLens does not currently use advertising cookies, behavioral advertising, or third-party marketing analytics.
6. Research and minors
The current demo is not an active research study and is not enrolling research participants. Before a formal study involving students ages 15–17, MethodLens intends to obtain an appropriate ethics or IRB determination, parent or guardian permission, student assent, and any required school approval.
Consent records and research-performance data will be stored separately. The future study materials will explain the exact data fields, retention period, withdrawal process, risks, benefits, and contacts before participation begins.
7. Your choices and controls
- Do not enter names or other personal or sensitive information into problem text or the first-thought field.
- Use the optional export to inspect the learning data saved in the browser.
- Use the Data Rights page to erase the working copy from a browser.
- Use Account Settings to update a profile, log out, or permanently delete the MethodLens account and its saved learning record.
- Contact MethodLens with privacy questions or to report an issue.
Deleting a MethodLens account removes its profile and learning record from active application storage. It does not delete the separate identity account used to sign in, a file already downloaded, ordinary browser history, or essential provider security logs.
8. Security and retention
MethodLens minimizes collection, uses encrypted HTTPS connections, separates records by verified account identifier, and keeps a browser copy for active use. Account data remains while the account is active or until MethodLens deletes it under a documented beta retention plan.
No system is perfectly secure. Suspected privacy or security problems should be reported promptly to the contact below. The account preview will receive a fuller retention, backup, access-review, and incident-response plan before outside testers are invited.
9. Policy updates and contact
Material changes will be reflected by a new effective date and, when appropriate, a new agreement. Creating an account is not consent to future AI processing or research participation.
Privacy contact: pyatharth@gmail.com