Luz Chatbot Platform – A Solutions Journalism Tool
Introduction
The Luz Chatbot Platform (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Luz chatbot, access our training resources, and engage with our services.
Our Commitment: Luz was created through a partnership between the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) at the University of Missouri and El Colectivo 506, a Costa Rican solutions journalism organization. We handle your personal information with the same care and integrity we bring to supporting quality journalism.
Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
- Create an account or profile on our platform
- Use the Luz chatbot to develop journalism pitches
- Register for the Latin American Solutions Journalism Fund
- Complete training modules and activities
- Subscribe to communications or updates
- Contact us through our website or email
- Participate in surveys or provide feedback
This information may include:
- Name and email address
- Language preference (English, Spanish, or Portuguese)
- Country/region of residence
- Professional background (journalist, student, educator, etc.)
- Communication preferences
- Training progress and completion status
- Fund registration status
Chatbot Conversation Data
When you use the Luz chatbot, we collect:
- The content of your conversations with Luz
- Your pitch ideas, story concepts, and responses to questions
- Timestamps and session information
- Language used during conversations
- Whether you exported or saved your pitch
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:
- IP address and browser type
- Device information and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on our site
- Referring website or source
- Geographic location (country/region level)
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide the Luz chatbot service and save your conversations
- Enable you to return to and continue previous pitch sessions
- Track your progress through training modules
- Process your registration for the Latin American Solutions Journalism Fund
- Send communications about Fund opportunities, calls for proposals, and updates
- Respond to your inquiries and provide support
- Analyze platform usage to improve the user experience
- Maintain and improve the Luz chatbot’s functionality
- Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
Use of Chatbot Conversations
Your conversations with Luz may be reviewed to:
- Improve the quality and helpfulness of the chatbot
- Identify common questions or areas where users need additional support
- Develop new training resources
We do not use your specific pitch ideas or story concepts for any purpose other than providing you with the chatbot service. Your journalism ideas remain yours.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. These include:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for platform functionality, such as language preferences, login sessions, and saving your conversation progress
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our platform
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect your ability to save conversations or track training progress.
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:
- Partner Organizations: El Colectivo 506 and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, as joint operators of this platform
- Latin American Solutions Journalism Fund: If you register for the Fund, your registration information will be shared with Fund administrators at El Colectivo 506
- Service Providers: Third parties that help us operate our platform and deliver communications
- Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights and safety
- Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
- Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward
- Chatbot Conversations: Retained while your account is active to allow you to access your conversation history; you may request deletion at any time
- Training Progress: Retained to maintain your completion records and Fund registration status
Your Rights and Choices
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information and conversation history
- Export your completed pitches
- Opt-out of marketing communications at any time
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Request information about how your data is used
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.
Third-Party Links
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites, including the Solutions Journalism Network, El Colectivo 506, the Reynolds Journalism Institute, and payment processors. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Children’s Privacy
Our platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.
International Users
This platform is operated through a partnership between organizations in Costa Rica and the United States. If you access our platform from outside these countries, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Costa Rica or the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.
AI Technology and Data
The Luz chatbot is powered by artificial intelligence. For detailed information about the AI technology we use and how it works, please see the “AI Technology Disclosure” section of our Terms of Service.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
El Colectivo 506
San José, Costa Rica
Website: elcolectivo506.com
Last Updated: January 2026