Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Hownlab ("Company," "We," "Us," "Our") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy ("Policy") explains how we collect, use, share and safeguard your personal information when you access or use our educational platform and services ("Service," "Platform").

This Policy applies to all information collected through our website, mobile applications and any related services, sales, marketing or events (collectively referred to as "Services").

By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use and sharing of your information as described herein.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account or register for our Services
• Submit contact forms or communicate with us
• Subscribe to our newsletter or educational content
• Participate in surveys, feedback forms or community features
• Apply for career opportunities or submit professional inquiries

2.2 Types of Personal Information

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Account Information: Username, password, profile preferences
• Academic Information: Institution, course level, areas of study, academic interests (when voluntarily provided)
• Professional Information: Career interests, experience level, skills (when relevant)
• Communication Data: Messages, support tickets, feedback and correspondence

2.3 Information Collected Automatically

When you access our Services, we automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, features used, interaction patterns
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version
• Network Data: IP address, location data (city/country level), internet service provider
• Performance Data: Page load times, error logs, system performance metrics

3. How We Use Information

3.1 Service Provision and Enhancement

• Provide, operate and maintain our educational platform and services
• Process your requests and deliver content you have requested
• Personalize your experience and improve our educational offerings
• Develop new features, functionality and services

3.2 Communication and Support

• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Send you service-related announcements and updates
• Deliver educational content, newsletters and resources (with your consent)
• Communicate about career opportunities and professional development

3.3 Platform Security and Legal Compliance

• Monitor and ensure the security and integrity of our platform
• Detect, prevent and address technical issues and security threats
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations and legal obligations
• Enforce our Terms of Service and protect our rights and interests

3.4 Analytics and Research

• Analyze platform usage patterns and user behavior
• Conduct research to improve educational outcomes and user experience
• Generate aggregated, non-personally identifiable statistics

4. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information to third parties for their commercial purposes.

4.1 Permitted Disclosures

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1.1 With Your Consent

When you explicitly authorize us to share your information for specific purposes.

4.1.2 Service Providers

Mostly we have our own in-house team to manage our platform and services. However, in some cases, we may share your information with trusted third-party service ensuring proper security measures are in place to protect your data.

4.1.3 Legal Requirements

When required to comply with:

• Legal obligations, court orders or government requests
• Law enforcement investigations or legal proceedings
• Protection of our rights, property or safety or that of our users or the public

4.1.4 Business Transfers

In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, subject to appropriate safeguards.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information for the shortest period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

5.1 Retention Periods

• Account Information: Until account deletion or 2 years after last activity
• Communication Records: Retained for as long as necessary to provide support and comply with legal requirements.
• Usage Analytics: Aggregated data may be retained indefinitely in non-identifiable form
• Legal Requirements: As required by applicable law or regulatory obligations

5.2 Data Deletion

When retention periods expire or upon your valid deletion request, we will:

• Securely delete or anonymize your personal information
• Remove information from active systems and backups
• Retain only aggregated, non-personally identifiable data for analytics

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.

6.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: Data encrypted in transit using TLS and at rest using industry-standard encryption
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Authentication: Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
• Monitoring: Continuous security monitoring and intrusion detection
• Regular Audits: Periodic security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Staff Training: Regular privacy and security training for personnel

6.2 Security Limitations

While we implement robust security measures, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials.

7. Cookies & Tracking

7.1 Types of Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies for the following purposes:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic platform functionality and security
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and personalization choices
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand usage patterns and improve our services
• Performance Cookies: Monitor site performance and user experience

7.2 Third-Party Analytics

We may use third-party analytics services to help analyze how users interact with our platform. These services may collect information about your use of our and other websites.

7.3 Your Control Options

• Configure cookie preferences through your browser settings
• Opt out of analytics tracking where available
• Use browser privacy modes or ad blockers
• Contact us for assistance with cookie management

Note that disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality and your user experience.

8. Your Rights & Choices

8.1 Data Subject 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
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Restriction: Request limitation of processing in certain circumstances
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where applicable

8.2 Communication Preferences

• Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link provided in each message
• Update your communication preferences in your account settings
• Contact us directly to modify your preferences

8.3 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe our processing of your personal information violates applicable privacy laws.

9. Children's Privacy

9.1 Age Restrictions

Our Services are intended for users who are at least five (5) years of age or eight (8) years of age in the European Union.

9.2 Parental Consent

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without appropriate consent, please contact us immediately at [email protected].

9.3 Information Removal

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under the applicable age threshold without proper consent, we will take immediate steps to delete that information from our systems.

10. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to, stored and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States, where our servers and service providers may be located.

10.1 Transfer Safeguards

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

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Adequacy decisions by competent regulatory bodies
• Certification schemes and codes of conduct
• Technical and organizational security measures

10.2 Consent to Transfer

By using our Services, you acknowledge and consent to the transfer of your personal information to countries that may have different privacy laws than your country of residence.

11. Legal Bases for Processing

Our processing of your personal information is based on the following legal grounds:

11.1 Consent

Where you have given clear, informed consent for specific processing activities, such as newsletter subscriptions or marketing communications.

11.2 Contract Performance

Where processing is necessary to perform our contract with you or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract.

11.3 Legitimate Interests

Where we have legitimate business interests that are not overridden by your privacy rights, such as:

• Improving our services and user experience
• Ensuring platform security and preventing fraud
• Conducting business analytics and research
• Direct marketing to existing customers

11.4 Legal Obligations

Where processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations to which we are subject.

12. Business Transfers

In the event that Hownlab is involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

12.1 Transfer Conditions

Any such transfer will be subject to the following conditions:

• The acquiring entity must agree to honor this Privacy Policy
• Users will be notified of any material changes to data handling practices
• Appropriate security measures will be maintained during the transfer
• User rights and choices will be preserved

12.2 Notification

We will provide notice of any business transfer through our website and, where possible, via email to registered users.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may modify this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements or other factors.

13.1 Notification Methods

We will notify you of material changes through:

• Prominent notice on our website
• Email notification to registered users
• In-app notifications where applicable
• Updated "Last modified" date at the top of this Policy

13.2 Effective Date

Changes to this Policy will become effective on the date specified in the updated version. Your continued use of our Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the modified Policy.

13.3 Review Recommendation

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

14. Contact Information

14.1 Privacy-Specific Inquiries

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your privacy rights or to report privacy concerns, please contact our team:

14.2 General Contact

14.3 Response Times

We aim to respond to privacy-related inquiries within thirty (30) days or as required by applicable law. For urgent privacy concerns, please indicate the urgency in your communication.

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom and are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.