Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

HalbeManga English Academy ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.

This policy applies to all personal information we collect through our website, mobile applications, email communications, and any other digital or offline interactions you may have with us.

By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the practices described in this policy, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Register for our courses or services
• Contact us through our website, email, or phone
• Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
• Participate in surveys, contests, or promotional activities
• Attend our events or webinars
• Apply for employment with us

This information may include:

• Full name and contact information (email address, phone number, postal address)
• Demographic information (age, gender, nationality)
• Educational background and English language proficiency level
• Learning goals and preferences
• Payment information (processed through secure third-party payment processors)
• Course progress and assessment results
• Communication preferences

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website or use our services, we automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our services:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, clicks, navigation patterns)
• Location information (general geographic location based on IP address)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies data
• Referral source (how you found our website)

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, including:

• Social media platforms when you interact with our social media pages
• Educational institutions or employers who refer you to our services
• Marketing partners and advertising networks
• Public databases and sources

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Provision

• Deliver English language courses and educational services
• Process enrollments and manage student accounts
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Assess language proficiency and track learning progress
• Issue certificates and academic records

3.2 Communication

• Send course updates, schedules, and important announcements
• Deliver newsletters and educational content
• Respond to questions and provide customer support
• Send marketing communications about our services (with your consent)

3.3 Business Operations

• Process payments and manage billing
• Maintain and improve our website and services
• Conduct research and analysis to enhance our educational programs
• Ensure security and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements

3.4 Marketing and Personalization

• Personalize your experience on our website
• Recommend relevant courses and services
• Send targeted marketing communications (with your consent)
• Analyze usage patterns to improve our marketing efforts

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including:

• Payment processors and financial institutions
• Email marketing and communication platforms
• Website hosting and technical service providers
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Analytics and performance monitoring services

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specific purposes we authorize.

4.2 Educational Partners

With your consent, we may share relevant academic information with:

• Universities or educational institutions for admission purposes
• Employers who sponsor your language training
• Testing organizations for certification purposes

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to:

• Court orders or legal process
• Government investigations or regulatory requests
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Prevention of fraud or illegal activities

4.4 Business Transfers

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

5. Data Security

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

5.1 Technical Safeguards

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Secure servers and data centers
• Regular security updates and patches
• Access controls and authentication measures
• Regular security audits and monitoring

5.2 Organizational Measures

• Staff training on data protection practices
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Confidentiality agreements with employees and contractors
• Incident response procedures

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your information using industry-standard practices.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

6.1 Access and Portability

• Request access to your personal information we hold
• Receive a copy of your personal information in a portable format
• Request information about how we use and share your data

6.2 Correction and Update

• Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Update your contact information and preferences
• Modify your marketing communication preferences

6.3 Deletion and Restriction

• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Restrict or object to certain processing activities
• Withdraw consent for specific data uses

6.4 Marketing Communications

• Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time
• Opt out of targeted advertising
• Manage your communication preferences in your account settings

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website and analyze usage patterns:

7.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted advertising and marketing campaigns
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

7.2 Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through:

• Our cookie banner and preference center
• Your browser settings
• Third-party opt-out tools

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and your user experience.

8. 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:

• Student Records: Maintained for 7 years after course completion for academic and regulatory purposes
• Marketing Data: Retained until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
• Website Analytics: Typically retained for 24-38 months
• Financial Records: Kept for 7 years as required by Singapore law
• Customer Support: Retained for 3 years to provide ongoing support

When personal information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it according to our data retention and disposal policies.

9. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than Singapore, including countries that may not have the same level of data protection laws. When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Standard contractual clauses
• Binding corporate rules
• Certification schemes and codes of conduct

We are committed to ensuring your personal information receives an adequate level of protection regardless of where it is processed.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and 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 immediately.

For students aged 13-18, we may require parental consent before collecting or processing their personal information. We encourage parents to take an active role in their children's online activities and education.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications that are not operated by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to these third-party services, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you visit or use through our website.

12. 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. When we make changes, we will:

• Post the updated policy on our website
• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify you by email or through our website for significant changes
• Obtain your consent where required by law

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

13. Contact Us

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

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days of receipt. For urgent privacy concerns, please call us directly during business hours.

14. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Singapore, including the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA). Any disputes arising from this policy will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore.