PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: 1st January 2025

Welcome to Slovene Step by Step! Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you use our website and services. It also outlines your rights under GDPR and other applicable laws.

By using our website and services, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our services.

1. INTRODUCTION

Slovene Step by Step (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) provides online language learning services. We are committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring transparency in how we handle it.

This policy applies to our website, services, and any interactions you have with us.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We collect different types of data to provide and improve our services.

2.1. Information You Provide to Us

  • Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, and payment details.
  • Account Details: Username, password, and profile information.
  • Learning Preferences: Your language learning goals and experience level.
  • Messages & Feedback: Any communication you send to us, such as emails or reviews.

2.2. Information We Collect Automatically

  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on our website, and interaction data.
  • Device & Browser Data: IP address, browser type, and operating system.
  • Cookies & Tracking Technologies: We use cookies to improve user experience and track site usage.

2.3. Information from Third Parties

We may receive data from third-party payment processors, analytics providers, and social media platforms (if you interact with our content there).

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • Providing Services: Delivering lessons, processing payments, and managing your account.
  • Personalization: Customizing lessons based on your learning preferences.
  • Customer Support: Responding to inquiries and resolving issues.
  • Marketing & Promotions: Sending relevant offers and updates (you can opt out).
  • Security & Fraud Prevention: Detecting unauthorized activities and protecting users.
  • Legal Compliance: Meeting legal obligations and responding to law enforcement requests.

We process your data based on legitimate interest, contractual necessity, legal obligations, and consent (where applicable).

4. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING (GDPR Compliance)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your data under the following legal bases:

  • Consent: When you opt-in to receive marketing emails.
  • Contractual Necessity: To provide the services you signed up for.
  • Legitimate Interests: For analytics, security, and improving user experience.
  • Legal Obligation: When complying with financial, tax, or legal regulations.
You have the right to withdraw consent at any time.

5. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

We do not sell or rent your personal data. However, we may share your information with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party companies for hosting, payments, analytics, and customer support.
  • Legal Authorities: When required by law, such as in response to a court order.
  • Business Transfers: In case of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

All third-party service providers are required to safeguard your data and use it only for the specified purposes.

5.1. Clerk Authentication

We use Clerk Auth to manage authentication and user accounts. Clerk handles login, account creation, and security.

For details on how Clerk processes your data, please refer to the Clerk's Privacy Policy.

6. DATA RETENTION

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

  • Account Information: Stored as long as your account is active.
  • Payment Information: Retained for financial and legal compliance.
  • Marketing Data: Retained until you opt out.

If you request deletion of your account, we will remove your personal data, except where we must retain it for legal reasons.

7. YOUR RIGHTS UNDER GDPR

If you are in the EEA, you have the following rights:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
  • Correction: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Deletion (Right to be Forgotten): Request the deletion of your data.
  • Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured format.
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
  • Withdraw Consent: If processing is based on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@slovene-step-by-step.com. We will respond within 7 days.

8. COOKIES & TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

We use cookies to enhance your experience.

8.1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files stored on your device to remember your preferences and track website activity.

8.2. Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality.
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us analyze website traffic and improve services.
  • Marketing Cookies: Used for advertising and personalization.

8.3. Managing Cookies

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features may not work properly.

9. SECURITY MEASURES

We implement strong security measures, including:

  • Encryption: Secure transmission of sensitive data.
  • Access Controls: Limited access to personal data by authorized staff only.
  • Regular Audits: Ongoing security reviews and updates.

However, no online service is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and be cautious online.

10. THIRD-PARTY LINKS

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so we encourage you to review their policies before providing any information.

11. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Our services are not intended for children under 13. If we discover that we have collected personal data from a child without parental consent, we will delete it immediately.

12. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFER

If you are outside the EEA, your data may be transferred to countries with different data protection laws.

We ensure that international transfers comply with GDPR and use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) where necessary.

13. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on our website, and we encourage you to review this page periodically.

If there are material changes, we will notify you via email or website announcement.

14. CONTACT US

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you can reach us at:

Email: support@slovene-step-by-step.com
Website: slovene-step-by-step.vercel.app

If you believe we have violated your data rights, you have the right to file a complaint with your local data protection authority.