Privacy policy
Last updated September 14, 2026
The Ark Platform LLC ("we", "us") builds and operates transportation management software. This policy explains what information we collect through our website, our web application for transportation offices (the "workstation"), and our mobile apps, NC Driver and NC Parent (together, the "services"), how we use it, and the choices you have.
Our role
Most of the information in the services is there because a transportation provider, school district, or agency (your "organization") uses our software to run its rides. Your organization decides who its riders, drivers, and family contacts are, and it instructs us on how that information is handled. For that information we act as the organization's service provider. If you have a question about how your organization uses your information, ask them first. For questions about our own practices, write to us at the address at the end of this policy.
Information we collect
Account information
Your name, email address, phone number, and role. Your organization creates driver and family accounts; you may update some details yourself in the app.
Rider information
Names, pick-up and drop-off addresses, schedules, school or program, accommodation needs, and emergency contacts for the people being transported. This is provided to us by your organization under its contract with us. We use it only to run the rides your organization schedules.
Location, in NC Driver
NC Driver collects the precise location of the driver's device while the driver is signed in and a route is in progress, including while the app is in the background or the screen is off. We use it to show the vehicle's position to the dispatch office and to authorized family members during a ride, to calculate arrival estimates, and to keep a record of each trip. Location collection stops when the route ends or the driver signs out. NC Driver does not collect location outside an active route.
Trip events, in NC Driver
Times and places of pick-ups, drop-offs, no-shows, and cancellations that the driver confirms, plus vehicle inspection results and any photos or documents the driver chooses to submit, such as inspection photos, licenses, and certifications.
Ride status, in NC Parent
NC Parent shows family members the status of their rider's trip and the vehicle's position on a map while the rider is on board. NC Parent does not collect the family member's own location.
Device information
Device type, operating system version, app version, and a push notification token so we can deliver notifications. We keep basic diagnostic logs of errors to fix problems.
Website
Our website keeps standard server logs (IP address, browser type, pages requested). It does not use analytics cookies or advertising trackers.
How we use information
- To schedule, dispatch, and carry out rides for your organization.
- To show live ride status to the dispatch office and to authorized family members.
- To keep the trip, inspection, and compliance records your organization must retain for its customers and regulators.
- To send notifications about rides, schedule changes, and documents that are about to expire.
- To secure the services, prevent misuse, and provide support.
- To bill your organization.
We do not sell personal information, and we do not use it for advertising.
Who we share information with
- Your organization. The dispatch office sees drivers' locations during routes, trip events, and rider details. Family members see only the rides of riders linked to their account.
- Service providers that run our infrastructure. Cloud hosting and storage (Render and Amazon Web Services), push notifications (Google Firebase Cloud Messaging), map display and geocoding (Google Maps), and email delivery. They process information only to provide those services to us.
- Your organization's customers. Trip records may be reported to the school district or agency that pays for a ride, as your organization's contract with them requires.
- When the law requires it. We may disclose information to comply with a legal obligation or to protect the safety of a rider, a driver, or the public.
How long we keep information
We keep information for as long as your organization uses the services and for the retention period its contracts and the law require for transportation, billing, and safety records. When an account is deleted, the sign-in and device tokens are removed promptly; trip records remain in your organization's records for their retention period.
Security
Information is encrypted in transit and at rest with our hosting providers. Access inside the services is limited by role, so a driver sees only their own routes and a family member sees only their own riders. No system is perfectly secure, and we will notify your organization and, where required, you, if a breach affects your information.
Children
Our apps are for adults: drivers, dispatch staff, and parents or guardians. We do not knowingly create accounts for anyone under 18. Information about student riders is provided by their school or transportation provider and handled under our contract with that organization, including any obligations that apply to education records.
Your choices
- Location. Drivers can end location collection at any time by ending the route or signing out, or by changing the app's permission in the device settings. The app cannot run a route without it.
- Notifications. Turn them off in the device settings. You will still see ride status inside the app.
- Access and correction. Ask your organization to correct account or rider details, or write to us.
- Deletion. You can ask us to delete your account. See how to delete your account.
Residents of some states have additional rights under state privacy law. Where we act as your organization's service provider, we will pass your request to them and help them respond. Where we are responsible ourselves, we will respond directly.
Changes to this policy
When we change this policy we will update the date at the top of this page. If a change materially affects how we handle your information, we will also notify your organization.
Contact
The Ark Platform LLC
admin@thearkplatform.com