Information We Collect

We gather different types of information depending on how you interact with our platform. Some details you provide directly, while others come from your browsing activity.

Information You Provide

When you register for courses, contact us, or use our services, you might share:

• Full name and contact information including email address and phone number
• Educational background and professional experience details
• Payment information when enrolling in programs
• Messages and correspondence with our team
• Course preferences and learning objectives

Automatically Collected Data

Our systems collect technical information as you browse:

• IP address and general location data
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on different sections
• Referral sources and navigation patterns
• Course progress and completion metrics

We use standard analytics tools to understand how people use our platform. This helps us spot problems and improve the overall experience for everyone.

How We Use Your Information

Your information serves specific purposes tied to delivering educational services and maintaining platform functionality.

Service Delivery

• Processing course enrollments and managing your learning journey
• Communicating about program updates, schedules, and changes
• Providing access to course materials and resources
• Tracking progress and issuing certificates when applicable
• Responding to questions and support requests

Platform Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to identify areas for enhancement
• Testing new features and learning approaches
• Personalizing content recommendations based on interests
• Monitoring technical performance and fixing issues

Business Operations

• Processing payments and maintaining financial records
• Complying with Vietnamese tax and business regulations
• Preventing fraud and unauthorized access
• Enforcing our terms of service

Data Storage and Security

We store your information on secure servers with multiple layers of protection. Our approach combines technical safeguards with operational procedures.

Security Measures

• Encrypted data transmission using industry-standard SSL certificates
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls limiting who can view personal information
• Secure backup systems with redundancy protocols
• Staff training on data protection practices

Our servers are located within Vietnam and comply with local data storage requirements. We maintain backups in secure locations with equivalent protection standards.

Data Retention

We keep your information for as long as your account remains active, plus additional time required by Vietnamese law. Specific retention periods include:

• Account information: Duration of active enrollment plus seven years
• Course records and certificates: Indefinitely for verification purposes
• Payment records: Ten years per Vietnamese financial regulations
• Communication logs: Three years from last interaction
• Analytics data: Aggregated and anonymized after eighteen months

After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize information so it can't be traced back to you.

Sharing Your Information

We share data only when necessary for service delivery or legal compliance. Here's who might receive your information and why.

Service Providers

We work with third-party companies that help run our platform:

• Payment processors handling financial transactions
• Email service providers for course communications
• Cloud hosting companies maintaining our infrastructure
• Analytics platforms tracking website performance

These partners access only the minimum information needed for their specific function. They're contractually obligated to protect your data and can't use it for other purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when legally required to do so by Vietnamese authorities. This includes responses to court orders, regulatory investigations, or situations involving potential harm to individuals or property.

Business Transfers

If CognitShine merges with another company or sells assets, your information might be transferred as part of that transaction. You'd receive notice before this happens, with options regarding your data.

Your Rights and Choices

You have significant control over your personal information. Vietnamese law provides specific rights regarding data collection and use.

Access and Correction

You can request a copy of all personal information we hold about you. If details are incorrect or outdated, you have the right to update them. Most information is directly editable through your account settings.

Data Portability

Request your data in a structured, commonly used format that allows transfer to another service. We'll provide this within 30 days of a verified request.

Deletion Rights

You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain limitations. We must retain some records for legal compliance, but we'll remove everything else within 45 days.

Keep in mind that deleting your account means losing access to courses, certificates, and progress records. This action is permanent.

Marketing Preferences

Opt out of promotional emails through the unsubscribe link in any message. You'll still receive essential communications about courses you're enrolled in.

Cookie Management

Most browsers let you control cookies through settings. Blocking cookies might affect platform functionality, particularly features requiring login or progress tracking.

To exercise any of these rights, email us with your request and account details. We'll verify your identity before processing to prevent unauthorized access.

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to make the platform work properly and understand how people interact with our content.

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for basic platform functions. They remember your login status, language preferences, and course progress. Without them, key features won't work.

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics tools to track aggregated usage patterns. This data helps us identify popular courses, common navigation issues, and areas where users struggle with content.

Preference Cookies

These remember your choices about display settings, notification preferences, and interface customizations. They make your experience more personalized across sessions.

Third-party services we use might set their own cookies. Check their privacy policies for details on their tracking practices.

Children's Privacy

CognitShine is designed for adults and professionals. We don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 16 years old.

If we discover that someone under 16 has provided personal information, we'll delete it immediately. Parents or guardians who believe their child has shared information should contact us right away.

Students aged 16-18 should have parental consent before enrolling in courses or creating accounts.

International Transfers

While our servers are located in Vietnam, some service providers operate from other countries. When data crosses borders, we ensure it receives protection equivalent to Vietnamese standards.

We use standard contractual clauses and verify that international partners maintain adequate security measures. You consent to these transfers by using our platform.

Changes to This Policy

We update this policy occasionally to reflect new practices or legal requirements. The date at the top shows when we last made changes.

Significant updates will be announced through email to registered users. Continuing to use the platform after changes take effect means you accept the updated terms.

We recommend reviewing this policy periodically, especially before sharing new types of information or enrolling in different programs.