Privacy Policy

SkillNeer (skillneer.com), operated by SKILLNEER.COM CB HAGEN (Org.nr: 922 532 648, Norway) ("we," "us," or "our"), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our online learning platform. By using SkillNeer, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you register, enroll in courses, or interact with our platform, we collect:

• Account Information: Name, email address, and profile details. If you set a password, it is stored encrypted; if you sign in with Google, we do not receive or store a password.
• Profile Information: Profile image, business/company name, social media handle, biography, and testimonials you choose to share.
• Payment Information: All payment processing is handled securely by Stripe, our payment processor. We do not store or have access to your credit card information or billing address.
• Course Activity: Course enrollments, progress tracking, completion status, quiz responses, assignments, and certificates earned.
• Communications: Messages sent through contact forms, support tickets, course discussions, and email correspondence.
• Blog Comments: Comments you post on blog articles, along with your name and the date submitted.
• Profile Preferences: Email communication preferences, notification settings, and accessibility preferences.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access our platform, we automatically collect:

• Technical Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and referring URLs.
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, courses viewed, search queries, and navigation patterns.
• Analytics Data: We may use analytics services (such as Google Analytics or similar tools) to understand how visitors interact with our platform, which features are most used, and how we can improve the user experience.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Session cookies, persistent cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to maintain your session, remember your preferences, and analyze platform usage.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Payment verification and fraud prevention data from Stripe.
• Google Sign-In: If you choose to sign in or register using your Google account, Google shares your name, email address, and a unique Google account identifier with us so we can create or verify your account. We do not receive your Google password.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

2.1 Service Delivery and Account Management

• Create and manage your account.
• Process course enrollments and provide access to purchased content.
• Track your progress, save your place in courses, and issue certificates.
• Process payments and send receipts.
• Authenticate your identity and prevent unauthorized access.

2.2 Communication

• Send essential transactional emails (account verification, enrollment confirmations, payment receipts).
• Respond to your inquiries, comments, and support requests.
• Send course-specific updates and announcements (if you have not opted out).
• Send general news, new feature announcements, and promotional content (if you have not opted out).

2.3 Platform Improvement and Analytics

• Analyze usage patterns to improve course content, platform features, and user experience.
• Monitor platform performance, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure security.
• Conduct research and analytics on learning effectiveness and student success.
• Develop new features, courses, and services based on user behavior and feedback.

2.4 Legal and Security Purposes

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, and regulatory requirements.
• Protect our rights, property, and safety, and that of our users.
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, security issues, and technical problems.
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions and other policies.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary to perform our contract with you (providing courses and services you've purchased).
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as improving our services, preventing fraud, and ensuring platform security, provided these interests do not override your rights.
• Consent: You have given explicit consent for specific processing activities (e.g., marketing emails, analytics cookies).
• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

• Payment Processing: Stripe processes all payments. They receive billing information and payment details necessary to complete transactions.
• Email Services: Amazon SES or similar email service providers to send transactional and marketing emails.
• Analytics Providers: Third-party analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand platform usage and improve user experience.
• Hosting and Infrastructure: Cloud hosting providers that store and process data on our behalf.
• Authentication Services: If you choose to sign in with Google, Google LLC processes the sign-in request. See Google's Privacy Policy for details on how Google handles your information.

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.2 Course Instructors

Course instructors may see your name, email, enrollment date, and progress in their courses to facilitate learning and provide support.

4.3 Legal Requirements

• When required by law, subpoena, court order, or government request.
• To protect our rights, property, or safety, and that of our users or the public.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users will be notified).

4.4 Public Profile Information and Comments

If you choose to provide optional profile information (profile image, business name, social media handle, biography, testimonials), this information may be visible to other users and instructors on the platform to facilitate community interaction and learning. Testimonials are subject to approval and will only be displayed publicly after admin review. Similarly, blog comments you submit are held for review and will only be displayed publicly, alongside your name, after admin approval. You can control what information you share by managing your profile settings, and you can delete your own blog comments at any time from the "My Blog Comments" tab in your profile.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share information with third parties when you have given explicit consent or at your direction.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and personalize content. When you first visit our site, you'll see a cookie consent banner where you can choose to accept or decline non-essential cookies.

5.1 Your Cookie Choices

• Accept All: By clicking "Accept All," you consent to the use of all cookies, including analytics and functional cookies. This helps us improve your experience and understand how you use our platform.
• Decline: By clicking "Decline," we will only use essential cookies necessary for the platform to function (authentication, security, session management). You may experience limited functionality, but all core features will remain accessible.
• Your Preference: Your cookie preference is stored for one year. You can change your choice at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site.

5.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for the platform to function properly (authentication, security, session management, shopping cart). These cookies are always active and cannot be disabled as they are necessary for basic site functionality.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences, settings, and choices to improve your experience. These are only set if you accept cookies.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our platform, which pages are most popular, and where improvements are needed. These are only set if you accept cookies.
• Marketing Cookies: Track your activity to provide personalized content and measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns (if implemented). These are only set if you accept cookies.

5.3 Managing Cookies

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Note that disabling essential cookies will prevent you from logging in and using the platform. To change your cookie preferences on our site, clear your browser cookies and revisit our homepage to see the consent banner again. You can also use browser extensions or privacy settings specific to analytics services to opt out of tracking.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Specifically:

• Active Accounts: We retain your account information and course data while your account is active.
• Inactive Accounts: If you do not log in for an extended period, we may deactivate your account but retain certain information for legal and operational purposes.
• Deleted Accounts: When you delete your account, we remove personal information within 90 days, except where retention is required for legal compliance (e.g., tax records, transaction history for 7 years).
• Course Progress: Course completion data may be retained for certificate validation and educational records.
• Communications: Support tickets and contact form submissions are retained for customer service and quality assurance purposes.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols.
• Password Security: Passwords are hashed and encrypted; we never store plain-text passwords.
• Payment Security: Payment information is processed through PCI-DSS compliant payment processors (Stripe).
• Access Controls: We limit access to personal information to authorized personnel who need it to perform their job functions.
• Regular Security Audits: We conduct periodic security assessments and updates to protect against vulnerabilities.

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 Access and Portability

• Access, review, and update your personal information through your account settings.
• Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format (data portability).

8.2 Correction and Update

• Update your profile information, email address, and preferences at any time through your account.
• Contact us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

8.3 Deletion and Account Closure

• Request deletion of your account and personal data through account settings or by contacting us.
• Delete individual blog comments you've posted at any time from the "My Blog Comments" tab in your profile.
• Note that some information may be retained for legal compliance, fraud prevention, and backup purposes.
• Course certificates and completion records may be retained for verification purposes.

8.4 Email Preferences

• Manage email preferences in your profile settings under "Email Communication Preferences."
• Opt out of general news and site updates.
• Opt out of course-specific updates and announcements.
• Note: You cannot opt out of essential transactional emails (receipts, enrollment confirmations, security alerts).

8.5 Objection and Restriction

• Object to processing of your data based on legitimate interests.
• Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances (e.g., while disputing data accuracy).

8.6 Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent (e.g., marketing emails, analytics), you may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

9. GDPR Rights for EEA/UK/Swiss Users

If you are located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to be Informed: You have the right to clear information about how we use your data (this Privacy Policy).
• Right of Access: You can request confirmation of whether we process your data and obtain a copy.
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You can request deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: You can receive your data in a portable format and transfer it to another service.
• Right to Object: You can object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
• Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making: You have rights regarding automated decisions that significantly affect you (we do not currently use automated decision-making).
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint with a supervisory data protection authority (in Norway, this is Datatilsynet — datatilsynet.no) or your local EEA data protection authority if you believe we have violated your rights.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through our support page. We will respond to your request within 30 days as required by GDPR.

10. International Data Transfers

SkillNeer operates from Norway and serves users internationally. Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including countries that may not have the same data protection laws as your jurisdiction. When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission, to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

11. Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information from our systems.

12. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites, plugins, or applications. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by SkillNeer.

13. 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. Material changes will be communicated via email or through a prominent notice on our platform at least 30 days before they become effective. The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. Your continued use of the platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

14. Data Controller & Contact Information

Data Controller (Behandlingsansvarlig):
SKILLNEER.COM CB HAGEN
Organization Number: 922 532 648 (Norway)
Website: skillneer.com

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, your personal data, or wish to exercise your GDPR rights, please contact us:

• Through our Contact Support page
• By email: support@skillneer.com
• For GDPR-related inquiries, please clearly indicate "GDPR Request" in your subject line

We will respond to all requests without undue delay, and no later than 30 days for GDPR requests.