Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: 31 May 2026

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the Refract Foundation website, services, programmes, events and research activities, including the Digital Literacy Census.

By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you should not use our services.

2. Who We Are

The Refract Foundation (‘Refract’, ‘we’, ‘our’, ‘us’) is a youth-led initiative focused on improving digital literacy, digital inclusion, online safety and access to digital skills for young people.

Refract Foundation operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Hack Club, a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation (EIN 81-2908499).

3. Use of Services

You agree to use our services only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not:

• Violate applicable laws or regulations.
• Infringe the rights of others.
• Interfere with the operation or security of our systems.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to systems or data.
• Misuse surveys, forms, applications or research platforms.
• Submit false, misleading or fraudulent information.

We reserve the right to restrict or terminate access where misuse is identified.

4. Educational Institutions

Where services are used by schools, academy trusts, local authorities or other educational institutions:

• The institution is responsible for ensuring any required consent or lawful basis exists.
• The institution is responsible for communicating participation requirements where appropriate.
• Refract Foundation may rely upon information provided by institutions as accurate and complete.
• Institutions must not attempt to identify individuals from anonymised or aggregated datasets.

5. Digital Literacy Census

Purpose

The Digital Literacy Census exists to support educational improvement, digital inclusion, research and policy development relating to digital skills, access, confidence and online safety.

Participation

Participation is voluntary unless otherwise required by a participating institution.

Participants may choose not to answer specific questions where appropriate.

Data Use

Data collected through the Census may be:

• Analysed for research purposes.
• Combined with other responses to identify trends.
• Used to produce reports, dashboards and publications.
• Used to support programme development and funding applications.
• Used to evaluate educational initiatives and outcomes.

Reporting

Reports may be produced at:

• School level
• Trust level
• Local authority level
• Regional level
• National level

Dataset Sharing

Appropriately anonymised, aggregated or pseudonymised datasets may be shared with:

• Educational institutions
• Local authorities
• Government organisations
• Research organisations
• Charities and non-profit organisations
• Funders
• Strategic partners

Recipients must not attempt to identify individuals from shared datasets.

6. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, content, branding, reports, materials, research outputs and systems produced by Refract Foundation remain the property of Refract Foundation or its licensors.

Nothing in these Terms grants ownership rights to users.

7. Privacy

Use of our services is also governed by our Privacy Policy.

By using our services, you acknowledge that information may be processed as described in the Privacy Policy.

8. Third-Party Services

Our services may rely on third-party providers including:

• Website hosting providers
• Survey and form platforms
• Data storage providers
• Communication platforms
• Analytics providers

We are not responsible for the availability, security or privacy practices of third-party services.

9. Availability

We do not guarantee uninterrupted, secure or error-free operation of services.

We may modify, suspend or discontinue services at any time without notice.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• Refract Foundation is not liable for indirect, incidental or consequential losses arising from use of our services.
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of research outputs, reports or datasets.
• Services are provided on an “as available” and “as is” basis.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion would be unlawful.

11. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Refract Foundation, its volunteers, contributors, partners and fiscal sponsor from claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising from:

• Misuse of services.
• Breach of these Terms.
• Unlawful conduct connected to your use of our services.

12. International Operations

Refract Foundation operates primarily within the United Kingdom but may use international service providers.

Use of services may involve the processing of information in other jurisdictions in accordance with applicable safeguards and the Privacy Policy.

13. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time.

Updated versions will be published on our website.

Continued use of services constitutes acceptance of the current version.

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Contact

General enquiries: hello@refractfoundation.org

Privacy enquiries: dpo@refractfoundation.org

Website: https://refractfoundation.org