Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Stumath ("we," "our," "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, mobile application, and services (collectively, the "Platform"). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the Platform.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you register on the Platform, express an interest in obtaining information about us or our products and services, participate in activities on the Platform, or otherwise contact us.

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password, profile picture, and account preferences.
• Profile Information: Educational background, qualifications, subjects taught, hourly rates, bio, and teaching experience (for tutors).
• Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, and payment history (processed securely through third-party payment processors).
• Communication Data: Messages, reviews, feedback, and other content you share through our Platform.
• Booking Information: Lesson schedules, subjects selected, session notes, and attendance records.

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers.
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, clickstream data, and navigation patterns.
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address (with your consent for precise location).
• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device to enhance user experience.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

• Provide and Maintain Services: To create and manage your account, facilitate tutoring sessions, process payments, and provide customer support.
• Improve Our Platform: To analyze usage patterns, enhance user experience, and develop new features.
• Communication: To send booking confirmations, reminders, updates, and respond to inquiries.
• Safety and Security: To verify identities, prevent fraud, monitor for suspicious activity, and ensure platform safety.
• Personalization: To recommend tutors and content relevant to your interests and learning needs.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of service.

4. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Between Users: Students and tutors share information with each other to facilitate tutoring sessions (e.g., names, profiles, contact information).
• Service Providers: We share information with third-party vendors who provide services such as payment processing, email delivery, hosting, and analytics.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred.
• With Your Consent: We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information. These include:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure data storage with access controls
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning
• Employee training on data protection practices
• Two-factor authentication for account access

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Platform. These include:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic platform functionality (login, bookings, payments).
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our Platform (Google Analytics).
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements (with your consent).

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

7. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain 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).
• Objection: Object to processing of your information for certain purposes.
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where we rely on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@stumath.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Platform is intended for users aged 13 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

9. International Data Transfers

Stumath operates globally, and your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Data processing agreements with service providers
• Compliance with applicable data protection laws

10. 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 or permitted by law. This includes:

• Account information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter
• Transaction records: Retained for financial and legal compliance (typically 7 years)
• Communications: Retained for customer service purposes
• Analytics data: Retained in aggregated, anonymized form

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our Platform
• Sending email notifications to registered users
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@stumath.com
• Address: 123 Main Street, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
• Phone: +27 61 546 2710