Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TechForge Academy ("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 visit our website, use our educational services, or interact with us.

By using our services, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you disagree with any part of this policy, please discontinue use of our services.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly:

• Registration Information: Name, email address, phone number, educational background
• Course Applications: Academic history, career goals, technical experience
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third parties)
• Communications: Messages sent through contact forms, support tickets, or direct correspondence
• Portfolio Submissions: Code samples, project descriptions, GitHub profiles

Information Collected Automatically:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, course progress
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking: See our Cookies Policy for detailed information

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

Educational Services:

• Processing course applications and enrollment
• Delivering online courses and educational content
• Tracking academic progress and providing feedback
• Issuing certificates and credentials
• Facilitating peer collaboration and networking

Communication and Support:

• Responding to inquiries and providing customer support
• Sending course updates, announcements, and educational resources
• Notifying you about new programs and opportunities
• Conducting surveys and gathering feedback

Business Operations:

• Processing payments and managing billing
• Analyzing usage patterns to improve our services
• Preventing fraud and ensuring platform security
• Complying with legal obligations and regulations

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers:

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal for secure payment processing
• Email Services: Mailchimp, SendGrid for educational communications
• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics for website optimization
• Cloud Services: AWS, Google Cloud for data storage and processing
• Learning Management: Third-party educational platforms and tools

Legal Requirements:

• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Response to legal process, court orders, or government requests
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Investigation of potential fraud or security incidents

Business Transfers:

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy protections outlined in this policy.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security practices include:

• Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Audits: Periodic security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Employee Training: Regular privacy and security training for all staff
• Secure Infrastructure: Protected servers and secure data centers

6. Your Privacy Rights

Under applicable Canadian privacy laws (including PIPEDA), you have the following rights:

Access and Correction:

• Request access to your personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request information about how your data is being used

Control and Deletion:

• Withdraw consent for certain types of data processing
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Opt-out of marketing communications
• Request data portability for your educational records

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Our retention periods are based on:

• Educational Records: Maintained for 7 years after course completion for credentialing purposes
• Account Information: Retained while your account is active, plus 3 years after closure
• Payment Records: Kept for 7 years for accounting and legal compliance
• Marketing Data: Deleted within 2 years of last engagement, unless consent is renewed
• Analytics Data: Anonymized after 26 months for statistical analysis

8. International Data Transfers

TechForge Academy is based in Canada, and your information is primarily processed and stored within Canada. However, some of our service providers may be located in other countries, including the United States.

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by privacy authorities
• Adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent protection levels
• Certification under recognized privacy frameworks
• Your explicit consent for specific transfers

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for individuals aged 16 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental consent. If you are under 16, please have a parent or guardian contact us before using our services.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Providing in-app notifications for significant changes
• Updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.