1. Introduction
Tychy University Education Network (“we,” “us,” “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website tychy-university.edu.pl (the “Website”).
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the Website, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our Website.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
- Contact instructors through our platform
- Submit inquiries through contact forms
- Subscribe to newsletters or updates
- Apply to become a listed instructor
- Communicate with us via email
This information may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number (optional)
- Educational background or interests
- Any other information you choose to provide
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activity, including:
- Log Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time spent on pages, date and time of visits
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance your experience (see Section 6 for details)
- Analytics Data: We use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand how users interact with our Website
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third parties, such as:
- Social media platforms (if you interact with our social media profiles)
- Analytics providers
- Marketing partners
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
3.1 Providing Our Services
- Facilitate connections between students and instructors
- Respond to your inquiries and requests
- Process instructor applications
- Send communications you have requested
3.2 Improving Our Website
- Analyze website usage and trends
- Improve website functionality and user experience
- Develop new features and services
- Conduct research and analytics
3.3 Marketing and Communications
- Send newsletters and updates (with your consent)
- Inform you about new instructors or services
- Provide promotional materials (you can opt out at any time)
3.4 Legal and Security Purposes
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
- Enforce our Terms of Service
- Protect our rights, property, and safety
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information depends on the data and context:
- Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose
- Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfill a contract with you
- Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with the law
- Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (such as improving our services), provided your interests and rights do not override those interests
5. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
5.1 With Instructors
When you contact an instructor through our platform, we share your contact information and inquiry details with that instructor so they can respond to your request. Instructors are independent contractors and are responsible for their own data handling practices.
5.2 Service Providers
We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:
- Website hosting providers
- Analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Email service providers
- Security and fraud prevention services
These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.
5.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
- Protect and defend our rights or property
- Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing
- Protect the personal safety of users or the public
5.4 Business Transfers
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and the choices you have regarding your information.
5.5 With Your Consent
We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
6.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
6.2 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Website to function properly
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our Website (e.g., Google Analytics)
- Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
- Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing habits to deliver relevant advertising (if applicable)
6.3 Managing Cookies
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. You can:
- Block all cookies
- Accept only certain cookies
- Delete cookies after your browsing session
Note that blocking cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our Website.
6.4 Third-Party Cookies
We may use third-party services (like Google Analytics) that set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies. Please review the privacy policies of these third parties for information about their practices.
7. Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the EEA, you have the following data protection rights:
7.1 Right to Access
You have the right to request copies of your personal data.
7.2 Right to Rectification
You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
7.3 Right to Erasure
You have the right to request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances.
7.4 Right to Restrict Processing
You have the right to request that we restrict processing of your personal data under certain circumstances.
7.5 Right to Data Portability
You have the right to request transfer of your data to another organization or directly to you under certain circumstances.
7.6 Right to Object
You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data under certain circumstances.
7.7 Right to Withdraw Consent
If we rely on your consent to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
7.8 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@tychy-education.network. We will respond to your request within 30 days.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority, particularly in the EU member state of your residence, workplace, or where the alleged violation occurred.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only 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.
- Contact inquiries: Retained for up to 2 years after last contact
- Instructor applications: Retained for up to 3 years
- Analytics data: Typically retained for 26 months (Google Analytics default)
- Marketing communications: Until you unsubscribe
When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
- Secure server infrastructure
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security assessments
- Employee training on data protection
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. International Data Transfers
If you are accessing our Website from outside UE, please note that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in UE or other countries where our service providers operate.
We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards, such as:
- Standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission
- Ensuring recipients are located in countries with adequate data protection laws
11. Children’s Privacy
Our Website is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information.
12. Third-Party Websites
Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, including instructor personal websites and social media profiles. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on this page and update the “Effective Date” at the top.
If we make material changes, we will provide additional notice (such as by email or through a prominent notice on our Website). Your continued use of the Website after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
For GDPR-related inquiries or to exercise your data protection rights, please use include “GDPR Request” in the subject line.
‘Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)’ clarifies why specific data might be collected based on consent or contract requirements. This level of detail ensures accountability and shows respect for user autonomy concerning personal information handling within educational platforms.
I appreciate that Tychy University Education Network has taken steps to inform users about their data rights under GDPR. The section detailing user rights, such as the right to access and rectify personal data, is particularly important. It’s crucial for users to know they have control over their information and can take action if necessary.
‘Your Data Protection Rights’ section seems particularly valuable for individuals unfamiliar with GDPR regulations. Clear articulation of these rights helps demystify legal jargon for everyday users. It also encourages individuals to be proactive about their privacy, which is a positive step in fostering informed user behavior online.
The mention of cookies and tracking technologies raises interesting points about user experience on the website. While cookies can enhance functionality, it’s vital that users are aware of what they’re consenting to when they visit the site. This policy does a good job of addressing those concerns by providing options for managing cookies.
While I understand the necessity of collecting certain personal information for operational purposes, I find it important to question how much data is truly needed from users. The policy mentions various types of information collected; I hope there are strict guidelines in place regarding what is absolutely essential to collect versus what could be considered excessive.
‘Changes to This Privacy Policy’ indicates that Tychy University Education Network intends to keep its users informed about any updates or changes made over time. This practice reflects a commitment to transparency that can help build user confidence in using their services while being mindful of privacy concerns.
The Privacy Policy outlined here is quite comprehensive. It provides clarity on how personal data is handled and the rights of users, especially those in the EEA. It’s good to see that there’s a clear explanation of the types of data collected and the purposes for which it will be used. Transparency is essential in building trust with users, so this approach seems appropriate.
‘Children’s Privacy’ section effectively addresses an important concern regarding minors online interaction with educational platforms. Highlighting that the site is not intended for children underage helps clarify responsibility while protecting both children’s privacy and organizational liability from misuse.
It’s notable that this Privacy Policy emphasizes security measures like encryption and access controls. As we continue to navigate an increasingly digital world, understanding how organizations protect our information is essential. However, it would be beneficial if there were more details about how often security assessments are conducted.