Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

Upskill Online Institute LLC ("Upskill," "we," "our," or "us") operates this website and online learning platform. We are the data controller responsible for your personal information under this policy. If you have any questions, you can reach us at hello@upskillonlineinstitute.com.

This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the rights you have over it — including under the EU/UK GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), where applicable.

2. Information We Collect

Information you give us directly:

• Account details — Name, email address, and password (stored securely, never in plain text);
• Payment information — Handled entirely by our payment processor (e.g., Stripe). We don't store full card details ourselves; we only keep a record of the transaction (amount, status, date);
• Contact and enquiry details — Anything you submit through a contact form, email, or enrollment form, used to respond to you; and
• Course-related submissions — Assignments, quiz answers, or other materials you submit as part of a course.

Information we collect automatically:

• Account and session data — Used to keep you logged in and let you access your courses;
• Course progress — Lessons completed, time spent, and results, so we can track completion and issue certificates;
• Server logs — IP address, browser type, and pages requested, kept for security and troubleshooting; and
• Analytics data (once implemented) — Pseudonymous usage data such as pages viewed and features used, to help us understand how the site is used and improve it. This will only be collected if you accept analytics cookies — see our Cookie Policy for details.

We don't currently use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. If that changes, we'll update this policy and our cookie banner in advance, and ask for your consent where required.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account;
• Deliver the courses you enroll in and issue certificates on completion;
• Process payments and send order confirmations;
• Respond to support requests and enquiries;
• Send you service-related emails (e.g., password resets, receipts);
• Send you marketing emails, but only if you've opted in — every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link;
• Maintain the security of our platform and prevent fraud or abuse; and
• Meet legal and tax obligations.

Legal bases (EU/UK GDPR). We rely on: contract (to create your account and deliver the courses/certificates you've purchased); legitimate interests (securing the platform, preventing abuse, and improving the service), balanced against your rights; consent (analytics cookies and marketing emails, which you can withdraw anytime); and legal obligation (tax and accounting records).

4. Who We Share Data With

We share data only with trusted service providers who help us run the platform, under contracts that require them to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify:

• Hosting provider — Hosts our website and application;
• Database/authentication provider — Stores account records and course progress securely;
• Payment processor (e.g., Stripe) — Handles payment, and the card details go directly to them, not us;
• Email delivery provider — Sends transactional and (if opted-in) marketing emails; and
• Analytics provider (once implemented) — Processes pseudonymous usage data, only after consent

We do not sell your personal data. We may disclose data if required by law or to protect our rights, users, or the public.

5. Cookies

We use cookies to run the site and, where you consent, to understand usage and (in future) support advertising. Full details — including cookie categories, third parties, and how to manage your preferences — are in our separate Cookie Policy.

6. Data Retention

• Account data is kept for as long as your account is active.
• Order and tax records are kept for as long as required by applicable tax law (typically several years).
• If you close your account or ask us to delete your data, we will do so, subject to any legal retention requirements that override the request.

7. Your Rights — GDPR (EU/UK)

If you're in the EU or UK, you have the right to:

• Access — Request a copy of the data we hold about you;
• Rectification — Ask us to correct inaccurate data;
• Erasure — Ask us to delete your data ("right to be forgotten");
• Restriction — Limit how we use your data while a dispute is resolved;
• Portability — Receive your data in a machine-readable format;
• Object — Object to certain uses of your data; and
• Complain — Lodge a complaint with your data protection authority (in the UK, the ICO at ico.org.uk).

To exercise any of these, email hello@upskillonlineinstitute.com from your account address. We aim to respond within 30 days.

8. Your Rights — CCPA (California)

If you're a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what categories of personal information we collect;
• Request a copy of the specific data we hold about you;
• Request deletion of your data;
• Opt out of the "sale" of personal information — we do not sell personal data; and
• Not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

To submit a request, email hello@upskillonlineinstitute.com. We'll verify your identity using the email on file before processing it.

9. International Transfers

We're based in the United States, and your data may be processed in other countries, including the United States and/or United Kingdom. Where we transfer data internationally, we use appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) to keep it protected.

10. Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit and at rest, and hashed/salted passwords. No system is completely secure — if we ever experience a data breach affecting you, we'll notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

11. Children

Upskill is intended for adult learners. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16. If you believe a minor has given us personal information, contact us and we'll delete it.

12. Marketing

Service-related emails (account, orders, courses) aren't marketing and can't be opted out of while your account is active. Promotional emails are sent only if you've opted in, and every one includes a one-click unsubscribe link.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as our practices change. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent revision. We'll notify you of material changes by email or a notice on our site before they take effect.

14. Contact Us

Questions about this policy or your data? Contact us at:

Upskill Online Institute LLC Email: hello@upskillonlineinstitute.com