Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 08, 2024

Greetings from Skillwave, a cutting-edge online education platform created to connect dedicated learners with seasoned tutors across a diverse range of disciplines.

Whether you are here to master new skills, enhance your professional capabilities, or explore personal interests, we are committed to providing you with a seamless and enriching learning experience. Central to our mission is our commitment to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring the security of the personal information you entrust to us.

At Skillwave, we recognize that privacy is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental right. We understand that in today’s digital age, the protection of your personal information is paramount. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) has been meticulously crafted to outline how Skillwave, as the data controller, collects, uses, and safeguards your personal information in full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws. Our goal is to be transparent about our data practices, so you can feel confident and secure while using our platform.

This Policy is comprehensive in scope and applies to all users of our website, mobile application, and related services (collectively referred to as the "Site"). It explains in detail the types of personal information we collect, the purposes for which we use this information, and the measures we have in place to protect it. Moreover, this Policy outlines the specific circumstances under which your personal information may be shared with others, ensuring that such sharing is done responsibly and with your best interests in mind.

In addition to describing our data handling practices, this Policy also incorporates our Cookie Policy and Terms of Service, which are integral components of our commitment to your privacy and security. We encourage you to read this Policy carefully to gain a clear understanding of how we manage your personal information and the rights you have in relation to it.

Your trust is important to us, and we want you to feel confident in the ways we handle your data. By continuing to use our Site and services, you indicate your acceptance of the practices described in this Policy. If, for any reason, you do not agree with any aspect of this Policy, we advise you to discontinue the use of our Site immediately.

Skillwave is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and data protection. As part of our ongoing efforts to uphold these standards, we regularly review and update our privacy practices to ensure they remain aligned with legal requirements and industry best practices. We value your trust and are committed to keeping your personal information safe, secure, and private as you engage with our learning community.

1. What Information is Collected?

Skillwave is committed to ensuring that we collect only the information necessary to provide you with the highest quality of service. This information helps us create a personalized and efficient learning experience for all our users. The data we collect falls into several categories, including information you provide directly to us, information we collect automatically as you use our Site, and financial information necessary for processing payments. Below, we provide a detailed explanation of each category.

a. Personal Information You Provide

When you engage with Skillwave, you may be required to provide various types of personal information depending on your role—whether as a learner, tutor, or another type of user. This personal information is crucial for enabling us to offer our services effectively and tailor them to meet your needs. The personal information we collect may include:

Account Information: To establish and manage your account on our Site, we ask for key details such as your full name, email address, telephone number, postal address, and date of birth. These details help us create a secure and personalized experience for you. Depending on your specific role within our platform (e.g., learner, tutor), we may also request additional information that is relevant to your participation in our services.
Tutor Application Details: If you are applying to become a tutor on Skillwave, we require more detailed information to assess your qualifications and suitability for the role. This includes your educational background, professional qualifications, the subjects you wish to tutor, your profile picture, resume, and any other relevant documents. Additionally, you may be asked to provide pricing details, your availability for sessions, and verification documents, such as proof of identity, right to work, and background checks (e.g., Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or equivalent).
Communication History: Effective communication is key to a successful learning experience. To facilitate this, we store details of your interactions on our Site. This includes messages exchanged between you and other users (such as tutors and learners) and any communication you have with our support team. By maintaining a record of these communications, we can ensure smooth and effective service delivery and promptly address any concerns or issues that may arise.
Booking History: To manage your tutoring sessions, we collect and store information related to your bookings. This includes details of booking requests, session schedules, subjects covered, and any session recordings that may be made for quality assurance or educational purposes. We also record lesson outcomes, which can help track progress and provide feedback for both learners and tutors.
Promotions and Discounts: As part of our commitment to providing value to our users, we may offer various promotions, discounts, and referral programs. When you participate in these offers, we collect information such as referral codes you use, the discounts applied to your account, and any other promotional activities you engage in. This data helps us manage these offers effectively and ensures that you receive the benefits you are entitled to.
Identity Verification Information: For security and compliance purposes, particularly for those applying to become tutors, we may request additional documentation to verify your identity and qualifications. This may include a copy of your ID, proof of your educational credentials, right to work in your jurisdiction, and any necessary background checks. This information ensures that all tutors on Skillwave meet our high standards for safety and professionalism.

b. Information Collected Automatically

In addition to the information you provide directly, Skillwave also collects certain data automatically as you interact with our Site. This automatic collection helps us understand how our services are being used, allows us to improve user experience, and ensures the security and efficiency of our platform. The automatically collected information includes:

Cookie Information: Our Site uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience by storing information about your preferences and activities. Cookies allow us to remember your settings, personalize content, and track your interaction with our Site. For example, cookies may remember your login details, so you don't have to re-enter them each time you visit. For more detailed information on how we use cookies and how you can manage them, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
IP Address and Device Information: To provide a secure and optimized user experience, we collect information about the device you use to access our Site. This includes your IP address, which helps us identify the general location from which you are accessing our services, as well as your device's browser type, operating system, and other technical details. This information helps us tailor our services to the specific requirements of your device and enhance overall performance.
Usage Data: We monitor and collect data on how you interact with our Site, including the pages you visit, the actions you take, and the time you spend on different sections of the Site. This usage data is invaluable for us as it helps us understand which features are most popular, identify areas that may need improvement, and continuously refine our services to better meet your needs. For instance, if we notice that a particular page has a high exit rate, we may investigate and make changes to improve its content or functionality.
Tutor Capacity Information: If you are a tutor, we track your behavior on the Site, including how often you log in, your responsiveness to learners, and your availability. This data helps us match you with the most relevant opportunities and ensure that learners have access to tutors who can meet their needs promptly and effectively. By analyzing this information, we can also provide feedback and recommendations to help you optimize your profile and increase your chances of securing bookings.

c. Financial Information

Managing payments securely and efficiently is a critical part of our services at Skillwave. To facilitate this, we collect and process financial information from both learners and tutors. This financial information includes:

Payment History: We keep a record of all transactions made on the Site, including payments for tutoring sessions, refunds, and any fees incurred. This allows us to manage your account accurately and resolve any payment-related issues quickly.
Bank Account Details: For tutors, we collect bank account information to process payments for the services you provide. This ensures that you receive timely and accurate compensation for your work.
Credit Card Information: For learners, we collect credit card details or other payment method information to process payments for sessions. We work with trusted third-party payment processors to handle this information securely, ensuring that your financial data is protected at all times.

We use this financial information solely for the purpose of processing transactions and managing your account. It is shared only with those third parties necessary to facilitate the transaction, such as banks and payment processors, and we do so with the utmost care to protect your privacy.

2. How is the Information Used?

At Skillwave, the personal information we collect is integral to providing and enhancing the services we offer. We use your information to ensure that your experience on our platform is seamless, personalized, and secure. Our use of your data is guided by our commitment to transparency and the principle of using information only for legitimate purposes directly related to the services we provide. Below, we explain in greater detail how your information is utilized to support our operations.

a. Providing and Improving Our Services

We rely on your personal information to fulfill our contract with you and to deliver the high-quality services you expect from Skillwave. The various ways in which we use your data include:

● Account Creation and Access: One of the fundamental uses of your personal information is to enable you to create and manage your account on our Site. By collecting details such as your name, email address, and other relevant information, we are able to establish a secure account that allows you to access our services. Your account serves as a central hub where you can manage your profile, view your activity history, adjust your settings, and engage with other users. This personalized space is crucial for ensuring that your experience on Skillwave is tailored to your needs and preferences.

● Tutor Profile Promotion: For tutors, your personal and professional information is used to create and promote your profile on our platform. This profile is essential for attracting potential learners who are searching for qualified tutors in specific subjects. By showcasing your educational background, teaching experience, and areas of expertise, we help you present yourself in the best light to prospective students. Additionally, features such as profile pictures, video introductions, and testimonials can enhance your profile’s visibility and appeal, increasing your chances of securing tutoring engagements.

● Matching Learners and Tutors: One of Skillwave’s core services is facilitating connections between learners and tutors. We use the information provided by both parties to match learners with the most suitable tutors based on criteria such as subject matter, availability, and learner preferences. This matching process is driven by sophisticated algorithms that analyze the data you provide to ensure that the connections made are both relevant and effective. By leveraging your information in this way, we aim to create meaningful learning relationships that lead to successful educational outcomes.

● Communication and Updates: Effective communication is key to a successful online learning experience. We use your information to enable seamless communication between users, whether it’s a learner reaching out to a tutor with a question or a tutor sending a reminder about an upcoming session. Additionally, we use your contact details to keep you informed about important updates related to your account, such as changes to session schedules, new features on the platform, or policy updates. These communications are designed to keep you engaged and informed, ensuring that you always have the information you need to make the most of our services.

● Booking and Payments: Managing bookings and processing payments are critical aspects of the services we provide. When you schedule a tutoring session, we use your information to facilitate the booking process, including confirming the session, sending reminders, and recording the session for quality assurance. For tutors, we use your financial information to process payments for services rendered, ensuring that you are compensated accurately and promptly. For learners, we manage your payment information to securely process payments for the sessions you book. This comprehensive management of bookings and payments ensures that all transactions on our platform are handled smoothly and efficiently.

● Customer Support: At Skillwave, we are committed to providing exceptional customer support to both learners and tutors. We use the information we collect to assist you with any issues or queries you may have regarding our services. Whether you need help navigating the Site, resolving a technical issue, or understanding our policies, our support team is equipped with the necessary information to provide you with prompt and effective assistance. By accessing your account details, communication history, and booking records, our support team can offer personalized solutions that address your specific needs.

● Service Improvement: Continuous improvement is at the heart of what we do at Skillwave. We analyze the data we collect from your interactions with our Site to identify areas where we can enhance our services. This includes evaluating how different features are used, identifying potential pain points, and assessing the overall user experience. By understanding how our platform is being utilized, we can make informed decisions about updates, new features, and other improvements that will benefit all users. For example, if we notice that a particular feature is not being used as expected, we may investigate why and make adjustments to make it more accessible or valuable to you.

3. Who Else Has Access to Your Information?

Skillwave is committed to ensuring that your personal information is treated with the utmost care and confidentiality. While we strive to limit access to your data to only those who need it to provide our services, there are certain situations where your information may be shared with others. This section outlines the circumstances under which your personal information may be accessible to other parties, including other users on our platform, third-party service providers, and legal authorities.

a. Other Users on the Skillwave Platform

As a platform designed to connect learners with tutors, certain aspects of your personal information may need to be shared with other users to facilitate these connections. The extent of information shared depends on your role on the platform—whether you are a learner, a tutor, or another type of user.

● Learners and Tutors:

For Learners: If you are a learner, certain personal information may be shared with tutors to ensure that the tutoring sessions are tailored to your needs. This includes details such as your name, the subject you wish to study, and any specific learning goals or challenges you have mentioned. By providing tutors with this information, we enable them to prepare effectively for your sessions, offering a more personalized and impactful learning experience. However, only the necessary information is shared to maintain your privacy and security.
For Tutors: If you are a tutor, your profile information is made accessible to potential learners who are searching for tutors in your subject area. This includes your name, educational background, qualifications, teaching experience, and other relevant details that help learners make an informed decision when selecting a tutor. Your profile may also include your availability, pricing, and any reviews or ratings left by previous learners. By sharing this information, we help you attract the right learners and build a successful tutoring practice on the platform.

● Messaging and Communication:

Inter-User Communication: To facilitate effective communication between learners and tutors, our platform allows users to send messages to each other. These messages may include questions about the tutoring sessions, clarifications on assignments, or discussions about scheduling. While these communications are generally private between the parties involved, Skillwave reserves the right to monitor messages to ensure they comply with our policies. This monitoring is done to protect all users from inappropriate behavior, harassment, or any form of misconduct. By keeping an eye on the communication channels, we aim to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone on our platform.
Support and Safety Monitoring: In addition to monitoring for policy compliance, we may also review communications as part of our customer support efforts. For instance, if a dispute arises between a learner and a tutor, the support team may access the relevant messages to understand the situation and provide a fair resolution. This practice ensures that all interactions on Skillwave are handled transparently and that any issues are resolved promptly and fairly.

b. Trusted Service Providers

To deliver our services effectively and efficiently, Skillwave partners with a variety of trusted service providers who play a critical role in supporting our platform's operations. These providers may have access to certain personal information, but only to the extent necessary to perform their specific functions. We carefully select these partners and ensure they adhere to strict data protection standards, using your information solely for the purposes for which it was shared. Below are examples of the types of trusted service providers we work with:

● Payment Processors: We collaborate with secure payment processing companies to handle your financial transactions. These processors manage sensitive information such as credit card details and bank account numbers, ensuring that all payments are processed accurately and securely. They are required to comply with stringent data protection regulations, safeguarding your financial data at all times.

c. Legal Compliance and Law Enforcement

At Skillwave, we are firmly committed to operating within the bounds of the law and upholding the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct. There are specific situations where we may be legally obligated to disclose your personal information to third parties. Such disclosures are undertaken with the utmost care and are only made when absolutely necessary to comply with legal requirements, assist law enforcement authorities, or protect the rights, property, and safety of our users, the public, and Skillwave itself. Below, we outline the circumstances under which your information may be shared due to legal obligations or law enforcement needs.

Compliance with Legal Obligations: In certain instances, Skillwave may be required to disclose your personal information to comply with legal obligations. This could arise when we receive a legally binding request, such as a court order, subpoena, or other formal legal processes issued by governmental authorities or regulatory bodies. Such disclosures are made only when necessary and are conducted in strict accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We carefully review each request to ensure that it is valid, and we only provide the specific information requested, minimizing the amount of data disclosed whenever possible.
Assisting Law Enforcement: In the event of suspected criminal activity, fraud, or other illegal actions involving our platform, Skillwave may cooperate with law enforcement agencies by sharing relevant personal information. This cooperation is vital to maintaining the integrity and security of our platform and ensuring that any unlawful behavior is appropriately addressed.
Protection of Rights and Safety: There are situations where Skillwave may need to disclose your information to protect our rights, property, or safety, as well as the rights, property, or safety of our users or the general public. In these cases, our priority is to act swiftly and responsibly to safeguard the well-being of everyone involved.

4. How Do We Protect Your Information?

At Skillwave, we understand that the security of your personal information is of paramount importance. We are committed to implementing robust, industry-standard measures to safeguard your data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security protocols are designed to protect your information both during transmission over the Internet and while it is stored on our servers. However, it is important to acknowledge that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, can be 100% secure. Despite our best efforts to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Our approach to security includes several key components:

Encryption: We use encryption technologies to protect sensitive data during transmission. For instance, when you enter personal information on our Site, such as your login credentials or payment details, this information is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, which ensures that the data is transmitted securely between your device and our servers.
Regular Security Audits: To stay ahead of potential threats, we conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. These audits help us identify and address potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited. Our team is dedicated to continuously improving our security practices in response to new risks and technological advancements.
Data Anonymization and Minimization: Where possible, we anonymize or pseudonymize personal data to reduce the risk associated with data breaches. Additionally, we adhere to the principle of data minimization, collecting only the information necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy.
Monitoring and Incident Response: Our systems are continuously monitored for signs of suspicious activity or unauthorized access. In the unlikely event of a data breach, we have an incident response plan in place to quickly contain the breach, assess its impact, and notify affected individuals and regulatory authorities as required by law.

While we strive to protect your information, we also encourage you to take steps to safeguard your data. This includes using strong, unique passwords for your Skillwave account and being cautious when sharing personal information online. If you have any concerns about the security of your data on our platform, please do not hesitate to contact us.

5. Complaints or Queries

At Skillwave, we are committed to upholding the highest standards in data protection and privacy. We recognize that transparency and responsiveness are essential to maintaining your trust. If you have any concerns, questions, or complaints about how we handle your personal information, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our dedicated support team is here to address your queries and ensure that your concerns are taken seriously.

When you contact us with a complaint or query, we will:

Acknowledge Your Concern Promptly: We aim to acknowledge receipt of your complaint or query as quickly as possible, usually within one business day. We understand that timely communication is important, and we will keep you informed throughout the process.
Investigate Thoroughly: Once we have acknowledged your concern, we will conduct a thorough investigation to understand the issue and its potential impact on your privacy. This may involve reviewing our data handling practices, consulting with relevant team members, and analyzing any relevant documentation.
Respond Clearly and Transparently: After completing our investigation, we will provide you with a clear and detailed response, explaining our findings and any actions we have taken or plan to take. If we identify areas where our practices can be improved, we will outline the steps we will take to address these issues.
Provide Recourse: We will work with you to find a resolution that meets your expectations. Additionally, you have the right to complain with your local data protection authority if you believe that we have not adequately addressed your concerns or if you believe we are processing your personal data in violation of applicable laws.

Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to using it to improve our practices and ensure that your privacy is protected at all times.

6. Data Retention

Skillwave retains your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Our data retention policy is designed to balance the need to retain information for operational and legal purposes with the importance of minimizing the amount of data we hold.

Standard Retention Period: By default, we retain your personal data for six years after your last activity on the Site. This period is based on the average lifecycle of user accounts and allows us to provide you with continued access to your account, historical records, and other services. For example, if you return to Skillwave after a period of inactivity, your account and associated data will still be available for you to resume your learning journey.
Extended Retention for Legal Compliance: In certain circumstances, we may retain your personal data for a longer period if required by law or to fulfill regulatory obligations. For example, financial records may need to be retained for audit purposes, or data related to legal proceedings may need to be preserved until the case is resolved.
Deletion Upon Request: If you no longer wish to use our services, you can request that we delete your personal data. We will comply with your request unless we have a legal obligation to retain the data. For instance, if your data is part of an ongoing legal case or if we are required to retain certain records for tax or accounting purposes, we may need to delay deletion until those obligations are fulfilled.
Anonymization and Deletion: After the standard retention period has passed, or upon your request, we will either delete your personal data or anonymize it so that it can no longer be linked to you. Anonymized data may be retained and used for statistical analysis, research, or other purposes that do not involve personal identification.

Our commitment to data retention is guided by the principles of necessity, proportionality, and legal compliance. We regularly review our retention policies to ensure that they remain aligned with current legal requirements and best practices.

7. Access to and Correction of Personal Information

At Skillwave, we believe in empowering you to control your personal data. You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, as well as to request corrections or updates to ensure that your information is accurate and up-to-date.

Access to Personal Information: You have the right to know what personal information we hold about you. We will provide you with a copy of your personal data, typically within one month of receiving your request, unless there are exceptional circumstances that require more time.
Correcting Inaccuracies: If you believe that any of the personal information we hold about you is incorrect, incomplete, or outdated, you have the right to request that we correct it. This could include updating your contact details, correcting errors in your account information, or reflecting changes in your personal circumstances. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date to ensure that our services remain relevant and effective.
How to Make a Request: To request access to or correction of your personal information, please contact us using the details provided in this Privacy Policy. We may ask you to verify your identity before processing your request to ensure that your personal information is protected from unauthorized access.

We are committed to transparency and accuracy in our data handling practices, and we will work with you to ensure that your rights are respected.

8. Deletion of Personal Information

You have the right to request the deletion of your personal data when there is no longer a valid reason for us to continue processing it. This right, often referred to as the "right to be forgotten," allows you to have your data removed from our systems under certain conditions.

When Deletion is Appropriate: You may request the deletion of your personal data if it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, if you have withdrawn your consent (where consent was the legal basis for processing), if you object to the processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds for us to continue, or if the data was processed unlawfully.
How to Request Deletion: To request the deletion of your personal data, please contact us using the details provided in this Privacy Policy. We will assess your request and respond within one month, informing you of the outcome and any actions taken.

Our approach to data deletion is guided by the principles of necessity and legal compliance, ensuring that your data is handled responsibly and under your rights.

9. Withdrawing Consent

If you have provided your consent for us to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawing your consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before your withdrawal, but it may impact our ability to provide certain services to you.

Impact of Withdrawing Consent: When you withdraw your consent, we will stop processing your personal data for the purposes to which your consent applied. For example, if you withdraw consent for marketing communications, we will stop sending you promotional emails and offers. However, please note that withdrawing consent may affect your access to certain features of our services that rely on the processing of your data.
Effect on Service Provision: While you are free to withdraw your consent at any time, please be aware that some aspects of our services may no longer be available to you if they depend on the data processing for which you initially provided consent. We will inform you of any such impacts when you withdraw your consent.

Your right to withdraw consent is part of our commitment to giving you control over your personal information and ensuring that your preferences are respected.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Skillwave is committed to continuously improving our services and ensuring that our privacy practices evolve to meet the highest standards of data protection. As a result, this Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or improvements in how we handle and protect your personal information. We want to ensure that you are fully informed about any changes that may affect your rights or the way your data is processed.

a. Effective Date of Changes

All changes to this Privacy Policy will take effect on the date specified in the notification or on the date the updated Policy is posted on our Site. We will clearly indicate the effective date of the changes, allowing you time to review and understand the updates before they come into effect.

Your Continued Use: By continuing to use our Site and services after the changes take effect, you acknowledge and accept the terms of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the changes, we encourage you to review your account settings, exercise your data rights as described in this Policy, or discontinue your use of our services.

b. Reviewing the Privacy Policy

We recommend that you periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal information. The latest version of the Policy will always be available on our Site, and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with its contents.

11. Contact Information

Your privacy and the protection of your personal information are of the utmost importance to us at Skillwave. We are dedicated to maintaining transparency and providing you with the resources you need to understand and manage your data. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, we encourage you to reach out to us.

How to Contact Us: You can contact Skillwave by using the following details:

Email: [email protected]

We strive to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible, typically within one business day. As part of our commitment to transparency, we encourage you to stay informed about our privacy practices. We regularly update our Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, and industry best practices. By staying engaged with us, you can ensure that you are always aware of how your personal information is being protected.

We appreciate your trust in Skillwave and are here to assist you with any privacy-related inquiries. Your satisfaction and confidence in our privacy practices are our top priorities, and we look forward to hearing from you.