Sconce · Privacy & AI disclosure
Last updated: September 3, 2026
What Sconce is
Sconce is an AI coach for students. Anything labeled "Coach" is written by an AI system, not a human. During the beta, Sconce may use models from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and open-weight model families through API hosts such as OpenRouter. We compare them for coaching quality, speed, reliability, and cost. The model may change. The data-handling rules on this page do not. Sconce currently uses Z.AI's GLM model through OpenRouter. Sconce is operated by Sconce LLC, a Washington, DC limited liability company.
Who uses Sconce
Sconce is meant mainly for middle- and high-school students. Some younger students use a parent-driven version. Anyone under 18 needs consent from a parent or legal guardian before using Sconce.
For younger students, especially children under 13, the parent sets up and runs the account. The child may chat with the coach or send material when that makes sense. The account does not depend on them doing it. The parent stays in control of the account.
If a parent opts in during intake, Sconce may send the parent schedule updates, reminders, and short summaries by SMS or WhatsApp. Reply STOP to opt out.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) applies to students under 13. We collect only the information needed to provide the service and share it only with the providers listed below. Parents can review, export, or delete their child's data from the dashboard or by emailing [email protected].
What we collect
- Information supplied at intake: names, grade, school, calendar habits, goals, other context the respondent chooses to share, and phone numbers when messaging is requested.
- Information a parent later sends through the dashboard, by message, or in documents and photos.
- Information the student provides: chat messages, voice notes, photos of assignments, and documents they share. If the student records or shares lecture audio, we create a written transcript of it to find assignments, dates, and other academic details.
- Location when the user chooses to share it, for example to plan travel time. Sconce does not track location in the background.
- Information from connected services, only if you connect them: assignment data from Canvas or your school's LMS, and events and tasks from Google Calendar and Google Tasks.
- Revocable access tokens for connected services such as Google or Canvas. Sconce does not receive those account passwords.
Who sees it
- Karl Kahn (operator). He can reach stored data to run the service, investigate problems, and handle safety alerts. During the beta he may also read coach conversations to find problems and fix the coaching; he tells the parent and the student this before the coach's first message. When the beta ends, that stops, and a person reads a conversation only to fix a specific problem the family asked about.
- The AI API host and the selected model provider, which receive the conversation and the context needed to write a reply. Live data uses only routes that enforce zero data retention and prohibit model training. Sconce currently uses OpenRouter with Z.AI's GLM model. Requests require a Zero Data Retention endpoint, exclude providers that collect prompts, and do not enable prompt logging.
- Twilio, our SMS and WhatsApp delivery provider. Twilio receives the authorized recipient's mobile number and the content needed to deliver each message. Twilio's handling is governed by its Privacy Notice.
- Meta (WhatsApp), when a user chooses WhatsApp. Meta receives the authorized recipient's WhatsApp number and the content needed to deliver each message. Meta's handling is governed by the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.
- Google, if you connect Google Calendar or Google Tasks.
- Canvas / your school's LMS, if you connect it.
- Cloudflare, which carries and protects web traffic between the browser and Sconce's server.
We do not sell personal information, share it with advertisers, or use it to train AI models. Phone numbers and messaging consent are not used or shared for marketing.
SMS and WhatsApp coaching messages
If an authorized adult opts in during intake, Sconce LLC may send coaching messages by SMS or WhatsApp to the authorized number. Those may include schoolwork reminders, planning help, and follow-ups on tasks discussed with the coach. The messages are written by AI. Web access does not require a phone-messaging opt-in.
Message frequency varies based on the student's schedule and coaching activity. Typically 1–10 messages per day during the school year, with lower or zero volume on weekends, holidays, and breaks. Message and data rates may apply from your wireless carrier.
You can stop SMS or WhatsApp coaching messages at any time by replying STOP (or STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT) to any message. After you send STOP, you will receive a confirmation that no further messages will be sent on that channel. Reply HELP (or INFO) for help. Full messaging terms are at https://sconce.dev/terms.
Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
How to reach us
Parents can export or delete their child's data from the dashboard. For privacy questions, other data requests, or help pausing or closing an account, email [email protected]. We answer within a week.
Changes
We will update this page after legal review. If the terms change materially, we will ask for consent again.