1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide when you:

• Create an account or register on our site
• Sign up for newsletters or courses, including through online forms and free bootcamps or mini-courses
• Download files or learning resources
• Contact us with inquiries or feedback

The personal information we collect may include:

• Your name
• Email address
• Contact details
• IP address and approximate location (country/city)
• Usage data, such as your browsing behavior on our site
• Demographic data you provide voluntarily

IP Address and Location Data: We collect IP addresses and approximate location (country/city) for:

• Fraud prevention and security
• Analytics and service improvement
• Tax compliance for digital products

This data is anonymized after 90 days and is used solely for the purposes stated above.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

• Provide and improve our services, courses, and website experience
• Send you newsletters, updates, and relevant communications (with your consent)
• Respond to your questions and requests
• Analyze user behavior to enhance website performance
• Customize content to better suit your preferences

3. Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

Under applicable laws like the GDPR, we process your personal data based on one or more of the following:

• Your explicit consent (e.g., signing up for newsletters)
• Performance of a contract (e.g., providing you with paid courses)
• Our legitimate interests, such as improving our services and protecting our website from abuse

4. User Accounts & Passwords

Your account security matters to us. Passwords are stored securely using industry-standard encryption methods. We never have access to your actual password, ensuring your privacy and security.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and tools like Google Analytics to enhance your browsing experience, analyze traffic, and deliver tailored content. You can control cookies via your browser settings.

6. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share your personal data with trusted third-party providers who help us operate the website and deliver our services, such as:

• Payment processors like Lemon Squeezy
• Email delivery services like Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
• Web hosting and analytics services

These providers are obligated to keep your data secure and only use it for agreed purposes.

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing.

6a. Email Communications

We use Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) to send emails. We send two types:

• Transactional Emails: Account verification, password resets, contact form confirmations, and course enrollment notifications
• Marketing Emails: Korean learning tips, TOPIK preparation strategies, and course announcements (only sent to subscribers who explicitly opted in through checkboxes on our forms)

Your Rights:

• Unsubscribe from marketing emails anytime via the unsubscribe link in each email or by contacting us
• Request deletion of your email address from our database
• Update your email preferences

Email Storage: Email addresses are stored securely in our database. We track email delivery, bounces, and complaints to maintain good sender reputation and ensure you receive our emails.

Brevo Privacy Policy: https://www.brevo.com/legal/privacypolicy/

7. International Data Transfers

Our service providers may be located outside of Armenia, including in the U.S. and EU. When transferring data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards to protect your information in compliance with applicable laws.

8. Children's Privacy and Parental Consent

Our services are intended for users aged 16 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under this age.

If we learn that a child under 16 has provided personal information without parental consent, we will promptly delete that information upon request.

9. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access, update, or correct your personal data
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt-out of marketing communications at any time via unsubscribe links or by contacting us

To exercise these rights, please contact us at contact@topkoreanacademy.com.

10. Data Collection & Analytics

We collect the following information when you download files:

• Email address (with your consent)
• IP address and approximate location (country/city)
• Download activity and preferences

This data is used for:

• Fraud prevention and security
• Analytics and service improvement
• Tax compliance for digital products
• Personalized content recommendations

Important: IP addresses are anonymized after 90 days. You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at contact@topkoreanacademy.com.

11. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes.

If you request account deletion, your data will be removed promptly, unless we are required by law to retain certain information.

12. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure.

13. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external websites. Please review their privacy policies before sharing any information.

14. Business Mailing Address

TopKoreanAcademy operates primarily from Armenia. Our current business mailing address is:

11 Southgate Blvd C25 P5505, New Castle, Delaware 19720, USA

15. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We encourage you to review it regularly.

The updated policy is effective immediately upon posting.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:

• Email: contact@topkoreanacademy.com
• Website: topkoreanacademy.com