Privacy Policy

Effective Date: [DATE]
Last Updated: [DATE]

Big Data Staging Academy ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through compliance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, [WEBSITE_URL], or use our services, including our educational programs, webinars, and resources related to data staging and pipeline development.

This Privacy Policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information to provide our services, improve user experience, and comply with legal obligations:

a. Information You Provide Directly

• Account Registration: Name, email address, phone number, company name, job title, and billing information when you sign up for our courses or services.
• Course Participation: Information submitted during course activities, such as assignments, quizzes, and feedback forms.
• Contact Forms: Information you provide when contacting us, including your name, email address, and the content of your message.

b. Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and time spent on our website.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: See Section 5 for details.

c. Information from Third Parties

• Payment Processors: Limited payment information (e.g., transaction ID, payment status) from third-party payment processors like Stripe or PayPal.
• Marketing Partners: Information from platforms like Google Ads or LinkedIn Ads about your interactions with our advertisements.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

1. To Provide Services: Deliver educational content, manage course enrollments, and issue certifications.
2. To Improve Our Offerings: Analyze user behavior to enhance course materials and website functionality.
3. To Communicate with You: Send transactional emails, respond to inquiries, and provide updates about new courses or features.
4. For Marketing: Send promotional emails (with your consent) about upcoming webinars, discounts, or new resources.
5. To Comply with Legal Obligations: Maintain records for tax, accounting, and regulatory compliance.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our obligations under the terms of service when you enroll in our courses.
• Consent: For marketing communications and optional data collection (e.g., cookies).
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services and ensure website security.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws, such as tax regulations.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. However, we may share your information with the following third parties:

a. Service Providers

• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Platforms like Teachable or Thinkific to host and deliver courses.
• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal, or similar services to process payments securely.
• Email Marketing Tools: Platforms like Mailchimp or HubSpot for sending newsletters and updates.

b. Legal and Regulatory Authorities

We may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms of service, or protect our rights.

c. Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website.

a. Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality (e.g., login sessions).
• Analytics Cookies: Used to analyze website traffic and user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Marketing Cookies: Track interactions with our ads to improve targeting.

b. Managing Cookies

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or by using the cookie banner on our website.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:

• Account Information: Retained for the duration of your account and up to 5 years after account closure.
• Course Data: Retained for 3 years after course completion for certification verification.
• Marketing Data: Retained until you opt out or withdraw consent.

7. Your Rights

Under GDPR and CCPA, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

a. GDPR Rights

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten").
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to data processing based on legitimate interests.

b. CCPA Rights

• Access: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information.
• Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell data).

To exercise your rights, contact us at [EMAIL].

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware of such data, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

If you are accessing our services from outside the United States, please note that your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

10. Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including:
- SSL encryption for data transmission.
- Regular security audits of our systems.
- Access controls to limit data access to authorized personnel only.

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

11. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Significant changes will be communicated via email or website notifications.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

• Email: [EMAIL]
• Phone: [PHONE]
• Address: [COMPANY_ADDRESS]

By using our website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.