Privacy Policy

1. Overview & Our Commitment

This Privacy Policy explains how OffLearn ("we," "us," "our") collects, uses, protects, and shares information when you use our website and educational services (the "Service"). By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Our Core Privacy Principles:

• Minimal Data Collection: We only collect information necessary for providing educational services
• No Commercial Use: We never sell, rent, or commercialize personal information
• Educational Purpose Only: All data use supports our nonprofit educational mission
• Transparency: We clearly explain what we collect and why
• User Control: You have full control over your personal information
• Security First: We implement industry-standard security measures

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Information: Email address when you contact us voluntarily
• Feedback: Comments or suggestions you choose to share
• Support Requests: Information in help requests or bug reports

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, referring websites
• Location Data: General geographic location (country/region level only)
• Performance Data: Site performance and error reporting for improvements

2.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

3. How We Use Information

We use collected information solely for the following nonprofit educational purposes:

3.1 Service Provision

• Providing access to educational resources
• Maintaining and improving website functionality
• Ensuring website security and preventing abuse
• Responding to your inquiries and support requests

3.2 Service Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to improve user experience
• Identifying and fixing technical issues
• Developing new educational features and resources
• Understanding which resources are most helpful to students

3.3 Legal Compliance

• Complying with applicable laws and regulations
• Protecting our rights and the rights of users
• Responding to legal requests when required

4. Information Sharing & Disclosure

4.1 General Policy: We Don't Sell or Share Personal Data

OffLearn does not sell, rent, lease, or otherwise commercially share personal information with third parties.

4.2 Limited Sharing Circumstances

We may share information only in these specific, limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: Trusted vendors who help operate our website (hosting, analytics) under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Safety Protection: To protect the safety of users or prevent illegal activities
• Business Transfer: In the unlikely event of organizational restructuring (with same privacy protections)

4.3 Third-Party Service Providers

We may use the following types of service providers:

• Web Hosting: To host our website and databases
• Analytics: To understand how our site is used (with anonymized data)
• Email Services: To respond to user inquiries
• Security Services: To protect against cyber threats

All service providers are contractually required to protect user privacy and may only use data to provide services to OffLearn.

5. Data Security & Protection

5.1 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: Data transmitted to our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
• Access Controls: Strict limits on who can access user data
• Regular Security Updates: We keep all systems updated with latest security patches
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats and suspicious activity
• Data Minimization: We collect and store only necessary data

5.2 Data Storage

• Data is stored on secure, professionally managed servers
• Regular backups with encryption
• Geographic data redundancy for protection
• Secure data centers with physical access controls

5.3 Incident Response

In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will:

• Immediately investigate and contain the incident
• Notify affected users within 72 hours when legally required
• Provide clear information about what happened and what we're doing
• Work with authorities as appropriate

6. Your Rights & Choices

6.1 Access & Portability

• Right to Access: Request a copy of all personal data we have about you
• Data Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Transparency: Understand exactly how your data is being used

6.2 Correction & Update

• Right to Rectification: Correct any inaccurate personal information
• Right to Update: Modify your information at any time

6.3 Deletion & Erasure

• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to be Forgotten: Remove your information from our systems
• Automated Deletion: Data automatically deleted after retention periods

6.4 Control & Restriction

• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
• Right to Object: Object to certain types of data processing
• Opt-Out Rights: Opt out of any optional data collection

6.5 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: [email protected]

We will respond to all requests within 30 days and verify your identity before processing any requests.

7. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

7.1 What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites function properly and provide analytics information.

7.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality (cannot be disabled)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand website usage (anonymized data)
• Performance Cookies: Monitor site performance and identify issues

7.3 Cookies We Don't Use

7.4 Cookie Control

You can control cookies through:

• Browser settings (most browsers allow you to refuse cookies)
• Privacy settings on your device
• Contacting us to opt out of non-essential cookies

Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

8. Third-Party Links & Services

8.1 Educational Resource Links

OffLearn provides links to external educational resources, primarily government education websites. These links are provided for educational purposes only.

8.2 Third-Party Privacy Policies

When you click on external links, you leave OffLearn and are subject to the privacy policies of those websites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

8.3 No Endorsement or Control

• We do not control external websites
• Links do not constitute endorsement of privacy practices
• We are not responsible for third-party data practices
• External sites may have different privacy standards

8.4 Government Education Websites

Most links we provide are to official government education departments, which typically have their own privacy policies and data protection standards.

9. Children's Privacy Protection

9.1 Age Restrictions

• Children under 13 should use OffLearn with parental supervision
• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
• Parents and teachers may use our resources to help children learn

9.2 COPPA Compliance (US)

• Full compliance with Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
• No collection of personal information from children under 13
• Parental notification and consent procedures when applicable

9.3 International Children's Privacy

• Compliance with GDPR provisions for children (EU)
• Adherence to local children's privacy laws globally
• Extra protections for all users under 16

9.4 Parental Rights

Parents and guardians have the right to:

• Review any information collected about their child
• Request deletion of their child's information
• Refuse further collection of their child's information
• Contact us with any concerns about children's privacy

9.5 Educational Setting Use

When used in schools or educational settings:

• Teachers and schools are responsible for student privacy
• We support institutional privacy policies
• No individual student tracking or profiling
• Educational use only, no commercial purposes

10. International Data Transfers

10.1 Global Educational Mission

As a global nonprofit educational platform, we may process data across international borders to serve students worldwide.

10.2 Safeguards for International Transfers

• Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries with adequate privacy protection
• Standard Contractual Clauses: EU-approved contracts for data protection
• Privacy Frameworks: Compliance with international privacy frameworks
• Local Laws: Adherence to data protection laws in all jurisdictions

10.3 Regional Compliance

• GDPR (EU): Full compliance with European data protection standards
• PIPEDA (Canada): Adherence to Canadian privacy laws
• Privacy Act (Australia): Compliance with Australian privacy principles
• CCPA (California): California Consumer Privacy Act compliance

11. Data Retention

11.1 Retention Principles

• We keep data only as long as necessary for educational purposes
• Automatic deletion after specified retention periods
• Regular review and purging of unnecessary data
• Longer retention only when legally required

11.2 Specific Retention Periods

• Contact Information: 2 years from last contact
• Website Analytics: 12 months maximum
• Support Requests: 1 year after resolution
• Security Logs: 6 months maximum
• Legal Records: As required by applicable laws

11.3 User-Requested Deletion

When you request deletion of your data:

• We will delete your information within 30 days
• Some information may be retained for legal compliance
• Anonymized data may be retained for research purposes
• You will receive confirmation of deletion

12. Legal Basis for Processing

12.1 Lawful Basis (GDPR Compliance)

We process personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Legitimate Interest: Providing free educational resources serves the public interest
• Consent: When you voluntarily provide information or contact us
• Legal Obligation: When required to comply with applicable laws
• Public Task: Supporting education as a public good

12.2 Nonprofit Educational Purpose

All data processing serves our legitimate nonprofit educational mission:

• Making education accessible to all students
• Connecting students with government educational resources
• Improving educational equity worldwide
• Supporting teachers and parents in education

13. Policy Changes & Updates

13.1 Change Notification

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do:

• We will post the updated policy on this page
• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
• For material changes, we will provide additional notice
• Continued use constitutes acceptance of changes

13.2 Material Changes

For significant changes to how we collect or use personal information:

• We will provide at least 30 days advance notice
• Notice will be prominently displayed on our website
• Email notification if we have your contact information
• You may opt out or delete your data before changes take effect

13.3 Version History

We maintain a record of all policy versions and can provide previous versions upon request.

14. Contact Information

14.1 Privacy Questions & Requests

For any privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests, please contact us:

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://offlearn.org

14.2 Your Rights

You have the right to lodge complaints with privacy authorities in your region if needed.

15. Additional Legal Protections & Disclaimers

15.1 Educational Resource Disclaimer

15.2 No Warranties

Our educational platform is provided "as is" without any warranties:

• We make no guarantees about the availability or accuracy of external resources
• Educational content is provided for informational purposes only
• Users are responsible for verifying the suitability of resources for their needs
• We are not liable for any damages from use of our platform or linked resources

15.3 Limitation of Liability

As a nonprofit educational organization:

• Our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law
• We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of external websites
• Users assume responsibility for their use of educational resources
• Any disputes will be resolved through appropriate legal channels

15.4 Intellectual Property

• OffLearn respects intellectual property rights
• We only link to publicly available, authorized educational resources
• If you believe we've linked to infringing content, contact us immediately
• We will promptly remove any problematic links upon notification

15.5 Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by:

• The laws of the jurisdiction where OffLearn is organized
• Applicable international privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
• Local privacy laws in users' jurisdictions
• Educational privacy laws (FERPA, COPPA, etc.) where applicable

16. Our Ongoing Commitment to Privacy

16.1 Privacy by Design

We build privacy protection into everything we do:

• Minimal data collection from the start
• Privacy-first technology choices
• Regular privacy impact assessments
• User control over personal information
• Transparent privacy practices

16.2 Continuous Improvement

We regularly review and improve our privacy practices:

• Annual privacy policy reviews
• Regular security audits and updates
• Monitoring of new privacy laws and regulations
• User feedback integration
• Best practice adoption from privacy community

16.3 Community & Transparency

We believe in open, transparent privacy practices:

• Public commitment to privacy principles
• Regular transparency reports
• Open communication with users about privacy matters
• Collaboration with privacy advocacy organizations
• Support for privacy rights legislation