Welcome to Audiovarsity (“we,” “our,” “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you visit our website www.Audiovarsity.co.za (the “Site”), use our mobile application, or engage with our online learning services (collectively, the “Services”).
By creating an account, purchasing a course, or using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services.
- INFORMATION WE COLLECT
We collect information in several ways:
- Information You Provide Directly:
* Account Information: When you create an account as a Student or Instructor, we collect your name, email address, password, and account preferences.
* Profile Information: You may choose to provide additional information like a profile photo, biography, country, and social media links.
* Payment Information: When you make a purchase, we collect data necessary to process your payment, such as your name, credit/debit card number, security code, expiration date, and billing address. This information is handled directly by our secure third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
* Communications: If you contact us for support or inquiries, we collect your messages and contact information. If you participate in course forums, reviews, or Q&A sections, we collect the content you post.
* Course Content: If you are an Instructor, we collect the content you upload, including course videos, quizzes, assignments, and resources.
- Information We Collect Automatically:
* Usage Data: We collect information about your interactions with our Services, such as the courses you access, your progress, time spent on lectures, quiz scores, and features you use.
* Device and Log Data: We collect information about the device and software you use, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and crash data.
* Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. For more details, please see our Cookie Policy section below.
- Information from Third Parties:
* Social Media: If you log in or link your account via a third-party service like Google or Facebook, we may receive information from that service, such as your username and profile information.
* Payment Processors: We receive information from our payment processors to confirm your payment and maintain your transaction history.
* Instructors: Instructors may provide information about student performance or progress within their course.
- HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
* To Provide and Maintain Our Services: To create your account, process payments, provide access to courses, and enable features like course progress tracking and certificates.
* To Improve and Personalize Your Experience: To recommend relevant courses, customize content, and understand how our Services are used to make them more effective.
* To Communicate With You:
* To send you administrative messages (e.g., account verification, payment receipts, security alerts).
* To respond to your support requests and comments.
* To send you promotional communications about new courses, features, and offers, but only if you have opted-in to receive them. You can opt-out at any time.
* To Ensure Security and Safety: To protect our platform, users, and business from fraud, abuse, and security risks, and to enforce our Terms of Use and other policies.
* For Legal and Compliance Reasons: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
- LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING (FOR EEA/UK USERS)
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
* Performance of a Contract: To fulfill our obligations to you under our Terms of Use (e.g., providing the courses you purchase).
* Consent: Where you have given us consent, such as for marketing communications.
* Legitimate Interests: For our legitimate business interests, such as improving our Services, marketing, and preventing fraud, provided these interests do not override your rights.
* Legal Obligation: To comply with the law.
- HOW WE SHARE AND DISCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION
We do not sell your personal data. We only share your information in the following limited circumstances:
* With Instructors: When you enroll in a course, we share your name and email address with the Instructor(s) so they can teach the course, interact with you, and understand their audience. Instructors are contractually bound to use this information only for Audiovarsity-related purposes and not to spam you.
* With Service Providers: We use trusted third-party vendors to perform services for us, such as payment processing, data hosting, email delivery, customer support, analytics, and marketing. These providers are only permitted to use your information to provide services to us.
* For Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business, your information may be transferred to the new owners.
* For Legal Reasons: We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, protect our rights and property, or ensure the safety of our users and the public.
* With Your Consent: We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
- YOUR RIGHTS AND CHOICES
You have certain rights regarding your personal information:
* Access and Portability: You can access and download much of your data, including your course information and account settings, directly from your account page.
* Correction: You can update or correct your account information at any time in your account settings.
* Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal account by contacting us. Note: We may retain certain information for legitimate business purposes or as required by law (e.g., transaction records for financial reporting).
* Opt-Out of Marketing: You can unsubscribe from our marketing emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email or adjusting your notification preferences in your account settings.
* Cookie Controls: Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can usually adjust your browser settings to remove or reject cookies. Please note that doing so may affect the functionality of our Services.
* Data Rights Requests (EEA/UK/California): Users in certain regions (like the EEA, UK, and California) have additional rights, such as the right to object to or restrict processing. You can submit these requests by contacting us at [support@Audiovarsity.co.za].
We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your privacy rights.
- COOKIE POLICY
We use cookies and similar technologies for several purposes:
* Strictly Necessary: Essential for the Site to function (e.g., user authentication, payment processing).
* Performance/Analytics: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Site (e.g., Google Analytics). This data is aggregated and anonymous.
* Functionality: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization (e.g., remembering your preferences).
* Advertising: Used to deliver relevant ads to you on other sites and measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.
- DATA RETENTION
We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law (e.g., for tax, legal, accounting, or safety reasons). When we no longer need to use your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
- CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16 (“Children”). We do not knowingly collect personal information from Children. If you become aware that a Child has provided us with personal information, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a Child without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.
- INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
Audiovarsity is operated globally. Your information may be transferred to, and processed in, countries other than your own. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from your country. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data, such as relying on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses.
- SECURITY
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
- CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. We may also provide notification via email or a notice on our Services. Your continued use of the Services after any change takes effect constitutes your acceptance of the new policy.
- CONTACT US
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer at:
Email: support@Audiovarsity.co.za
