Information We Collect

Look, we're not in the business of collecting data just to have it. What we gather serves specific purposes tied to making our educational programs better and keeping our platform running smoothly.

Information You Provide Directly

When you reach out or sign up for our learning programs, you'll share some basic details with us:

• Your name and contact information (email, phone number if you provide it)
• Educational background and professional experience when relevant to program enrollment
• Questions or feedback you send through our contact forms
• Program preferences and areas of interest in smart cities or AI technology

Automatically Collected Data

Our website collects some technical information automatically. It's pretty standard stuff that helps us understand how people use the site and where we can improve things.

• Device and browser type, operating system details
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Pages you visit and how long you spend on them
• Referring websites and search terms that brought you here
• Time and date stamps of your visits

We use cookies and similar tracking tools. You can disable these in your browser settings, though some features might not work as smoothly.

How We Use Your Information

Every piece of information we collect has a purpose. We don't believe in hoarding data for the sake of it.

We don't sell your personal information. Never have, never will. That's not our business model.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

Sometimes we need to share information with other organizations to run our programs effectively. Here's when that happens:

Service Providers

We work with companies that help us operate our platform and deliver our educational programs. These include hosting providers, email services, and analytics tools. They're contractually required to protect your data and can only use it for the specific services they provide to us.

Educational Partners

When you enroll in programs that involve collaboration with other institutions or industry partners, we may share relevant information with those organizations. We'll always let you know beforehand when this applies.

Legal Requirements

We'll disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation. We might also share data to protect our rights, prevent fraud, or ensure the safety of our community.

Your Rights and Choices

Under U.S. privacy laws, particularly regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, you have specific rights regarding your personal information.

Access and Portability

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We'll provide it in a commonly used, machine-readable format within 45 days of your request.

Correction and Updates

If your information changes or you spot an error, let us know. We'll update our records promptly. You can often make these changes directly through your account settings.

Deletion Rights

You can ask us to delete your personal information. We'll honor that request unless we need to retain certain data for legal compliance, completing services you've requested, or other legitimate purposes outlined in this policy.

Opt-Out Options

You can unsubscribe from our marketing emails anytime using the link at the bottom of each message. Even if you opt out of marketing, we'll still send essential communications about programs you're enrolled in.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information at the end of this policy. We won't discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

Data Security and Protection

We take security seriously. Our systems use industry-standard measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction.

• Encrypted data transmission using SSL/TLS protocols
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure data storage with regular backups
• Employee training on data protection and privacy practices

No system is completely foolproof. If we experience a data breach that affects your personal information, we'll notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy. Here's roughly how long we retain different types of data:

• Account information: Until you request deletion or three years after your last interaction
• Program enrollment records: Seven years after completion for educational record-keeping
• Contact form inquiries: Two years from submission date
• Website analytics: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; individual data deleted after 26 months
• Email communications: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion

Some data might need to be retained longer for legal compliance or legitimate business purposes. When we delete information, we do so securely to prevent recovery or reconstruction.

Children's Privacy

Our programs are designed for adults and professionals working in or interested in smart city technologies. We don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 16. If we discover we've inadvertently gathered data from someone under that age, we'll delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy regulations and our practices evolve. When we update this policy, we'll change the date at the top and notify you of significant changes through email or a prominent notice on our website.

Continued use of our platform after policy changes means you accept those updates. If you disagree with changes, you can stop using our services and request deletion of your information.

International Data Transfers

Our services operate primarily in the United States. If you're accessing our platform from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

By using our services, you consent to this transfer. We take appropriate measures to ensure your data receives adequate protection regardless of where it's processed.