At Cogitate Academy (“we,” “us,” or “our”), operated by Netpub, we are 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 data when you visit our website, cogitateacademy.online (the “Website”), or use our services, including online courses, educational resources, and related features (collectively, the “Services”). By accessing or using the Website or Services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Website or Services.
1. Scope of This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Website and Services, including registered users, visitors, and subscribers. It covers personal information collected through the Website, mobile applications, email communications, and other interactions with Cogitate Academy. This policy does not apply to third-party websites or services linked from our Website, which have their own privacy policies.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked to you (“Personal Information”) as well as non-personal information. The types of information we collect include:
2.1 Information You Provide
- Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, password, and, if applicable, billing information such as credit card details or other payment information.
- Profile Information: You may provide additional details, such as your location, educational background, or preferences, to personalize your experience.
- User-Generated Content: Information you submit, such as comments, forum posts, quiz responses, or feedback.
- Contact Information: Information provided when you contact our support team, such as your name, email address, and the content of your message.
- Payment Information: If you purchase courses or subscriptions, we collect payment details through third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). We do not store full payment information on our servers.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage Data: We collect information about your interactions with the Website, such as pages visited, time spent on the Website, courses accessed, and features used.
- Device Information: We collect details about your device, including IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to track user activity, improve the Website, and deliver personalized content. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
- Log Data: Our servers automatically record information such as access times, referring websites, and error logs.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third parties, such as:
- Social Media Platforms: If you log in using social media accounts (e.g., Google, Facebook), we may receive your name, email address, or profile information.
- Analytics Providers: We use third-party analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to collect aggregated data about user behavior.
- Payment Processors: Third-party payment processors provide us with transaction-related information to confirm purchases.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to provide, improve, and personalize the Services. Specific purposes include:
- Providing Services: To create and manage your account, deliver courses, process payments, and provide customer support.
- Personalization: To tailor content, recommendations, and advertisements based on your preferences and usage.
- Communication: To send you transactional emails (e.g., order confirmations, account updates) and, with your consent, promotional emails or newsletters.
- Analytics and Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, monitor Website performance, and enhance user experience.
- Security: To detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized access, or other illegal activities.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your Personal Information. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors (e.g., hosting providers, payment processors, analytics services) who assist in operating the Website and Services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
- Business Transfers: If Netpub is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
- Legal Obligations: We may disclose your information to comply with legal requirements, such as responding to subpoenas, court orders, or government investigations.
- With Your Consent: We may share your information for purposes you explicitly authorize, such as sharing course completion certificates on social media.
- Aggregated Data: We may share anonymized or aggregated data that does not identify you for research, marketing, or analytics purposes.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, track usage, and deliver targeted advertisements. Types of cookies include:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Website to function, such as maintaining your login session.
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Website.
- Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver personalized ads based on your interests.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may limit certain Website functionalities. For more information, see our Cookie Policy (available upon request).
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical measures to protect your Personal Information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These measures include encryption, secure servers, and access controls. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and using secure internet connections.
7. Data Retention
We retain your Personal Information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. For example:
- Account information is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after account deletion to comply with legal obligations.
- Usage data may be retained for analytics purposes in an anonymized form.
- Payment information is retained only as needed to process transactions, unless required for tax or legal purposes.
8. Your Data Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your Personal Information:
- Access: Request a copy of the Personal Information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your Personal Information, subject to legal obligations.
- Restriction: Request that we limit the processing of your information.
- Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications or certain data processing activities.
To exercise these rights, contact us at support@stylemingle.site. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (e.g., 30 days under GDPR). We may require identity verification before processing requests.
9. International Data Transfers
Cogitate Academy operates in the United States, and your information may be processed on servers located in the U.S. or other countries. If you are located outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to jurisdictions with different data protection laws. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable regulations, such as Standard Contractual Clauses under GDPR for European Economic Area residents.
10. Children’s Privacy
The Website and Services are not intended for individuals under 13 years of age (or 16 in certain jurisdictions, such as the EU). We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it. If you believe a child has provided us with Personal Information, please contact us immediately.
11. Third-Party Links
The Website may contain links to third-party websites or services not operated by Netpub. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any Personal Information.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on the Website with a revised “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Website or Services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
13. California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to Know: Request information about the categories of Personal Information we collect, use, or disclose.
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your Personal Information, subject to exceptions.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.
To exercise these rights, contact us at support@stylemingle.site. We do not sell Personal Information as defined under the CCPA.
14. GDPR Compliance
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your Personal Information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our legal basis for processing includes:
- Contract: To provide the Services you request.
- Consent: For marketing communications or non-essential cookies.
- Legitimate Interests: For analytics, fraud prevention, and Website improvement.
- Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws.
15. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Netpub
Email: support@stylemingle.site
Address: 123 Learning Lane, Suite 100, City, State, ZIP, United States
We will respond to your inquiries promptly and in accordance with applicable law.
16. Miscellaneous
This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and forms part of our Terms and Conditions, available at cogitateacademy.online/terms-and-conditions. If any provision of this Privacy Policy is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.
By using Cogitate Academy, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.