Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Philippines Study & Learn ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our educational platform and services.

By using our platform, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Educational Information: Education level, academic interests, study preferences, program applications
• Professional Information: Current occupation, work experience, career goals
• Demographic Information: Age, nationality, language preferences
• Financial Information: Payment information for program fees (processed securely through third-party payment processors)

2.2 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information when you use our platform:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, search queries
• Location Data: IP address and approximate geographic location
• Cookies and Tracking: Browser fingerprinting for fraud prevention and analytics

2.3 Educational Records

With your consent, we may collect and maintain:

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Test scores and language proficiency results
• Letters of recommendation
• Portfolio submissions and academic work samples

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Educational Services

• Matching you with appropriate educational programs and institutions
• Processing applications and facilitating enrollment
• Providing academic counseling and guidance
• Coordinating with educational partners and institutions

3.2 Platform Operations

• Creating and maintaining your account
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries
• Processing payments and managing billing
• Sending administrative communications about your applications

3.3 Communication and Marketing

• Sending newsletters and educational updates (with your consent)
• Notifying you about new programs and opportunities
• Providing information about scholarships and financial aid
• Sharing success stories and testimonials (with your explicit permission)

3.4 Analytics and Improvement

• Analyzing platform usage to improve our services
• Conducting research on educational trends and outcomes
• Developing new features and program offerings
• Ensuring platform security and preventing fraud

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Educational Partners

We share your information with educational institutions and partners when:

• You apply to their programs through our platform
• You request information about their offerings
• It's necessary for application processing and enrollment
• You provide explicit consent for such sharing

4.2 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Payment processors for secure transaction handling
• Cloud hosting services for data storage and platform operations
• Email marketing services for communications (with your consent)
• Analytics providers to help us understand platform usage

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes, court orders, or government requests
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Investigate fraud or security issues
• Enforce our terms of service

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control.

5. International Data Transfers

As an educational platform serving international students, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including:

• Philippines, where many of our educational partners are located
• Countries where our service providers operate
• Countries where you seek educational opportunities

We ensure that all international transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and provide adequate protections for your personal information.

6. Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information:

6.1 Technical Safeguards

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Encrypted storage for sensitive information
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication protocols

6.2 Organizational Safeguards

• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Employee training on data protection and privacy
• Incident response procedures for data breaches
• Regular review and updating of security policies

6.3 Educational Institution Security

We work only with educational institutions and partners that maintain appropriate security standards for handling student information and comply with relevant educational privacy regulations.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
• Update your profile and preferences at any time
• Request a copy of your educational records

7.2 Communication Preferences

You can control how we communicate with you:

• Opt out of marketing emails by clicking unsubscribe links
• Manage notification preferences in your account settings
• Request to receive only essential communications

7.3 Data Portability

You have the right to:

• Receive your personal information in a portable format
• Transfer your information to another education service provider
• Request copies of your application materials and correspondence

7.4 Deletion and Retention

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to:

• Legal requirements to retain educational records
• Ongoing applications or enrollments
• Fraud prevention and security purposes
• Legitimate interests in maintaining educational partnerships

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

8.1 Types of Cookies

We use various types of cookies and tracking technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our platform
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Marketing Cookies: Used to personalize content and advertisements

8.2 Browser Fingerprinting

We use browser fingerprinting technology for:

• Fraud prevention and account security
• Preventing duplicate applications
• Analytics and platform optimization
• Ensuring compliance with educational institution requirements

8.3 Managing Cookies

You can manage cookies through your browser settings, but note that disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are primarily designed for individuals who are 18 years or older. However, we may provide services to minors (under 18) seeking educational opportunities, subject to:

• Parental or guardian consent for information collection
• Additional protections for student educational records
• Compliance with applicable children's privacy laws
• Limited collection of personal information to what is necessary for educational services

10. Educational Privacy Laws

10.1 Philippines Data Privacy Act

We comply with the Philippines Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations for the protection of personal information.

10.2 International Compliance

We also maintain compliance with relevant international privacy laws when serving international students, including:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for European students
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for US institutions
• Other applicable educational privacy regulations

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make changes:

• We will post the updated policy on our platform
• We will update the "Last Updated" date
• For material changes, we will provide additional notice via email or prominent platform notification
• Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

12. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

13. Acknowledgment

By using Philippines Study & Learn, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood this Privacy Policy
• You consent to the collection and use of your information as described
• You understand your rights regarding your personal information
• You agree to our practices regarding international data transfers for educational purposes

This Privacy Policy is an integral part of our Terms and Conditions. For questions about our educational services, please refer to our main website or contact our student support team.