1. Introduction
Welcome to Yay Student ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled in compliance with global data protection laws.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our platform (the "Platform"), including all features, services, and content we provide.
By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.
1.1 Scope of This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of Yay Student, including students, professionals, and service providers. It covers:
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What personal data we collect and why.
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How we process, store, and share your information.
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Your rights regarding your data.
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How you can contact us for privacy-related inquiries.
If there are conflicts between this Privacy Policy and specific privacy laws applicable to you, the stricter provisions will apply to your data protection rights.
1.2 Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal changes, improvements to our services, or changes in how we process personal data. If significant updates are made, we will notify you via email or through the Platform before the changes take effect. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly.
1.3 Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at:
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Email: [support@yaystudent.com]
2. Information We Collect
We collect various types of personal and non-personal information to provide and improve our services. The categories of information we collect include:
2.1 Personal Information
Personal information is data that can identify you as an individual. We collect the following types of personal information:
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Identity Information: Name, date of birth, profile picture.
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Contact Information: Email address, phone number, mailing address.
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Account Credentials: Username, password, security questions.
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Educational & Professional Information: Institution name, academic status, skills, work experience.
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Payment Information: Billing details, transaction history (if applicable).
2.2 Non-Personal Information
Non-personal information does not directly identify you. We collect the following types:
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Usage Data: Log files, pages visited, time spent on the Platform.
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Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system.
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Cookies and Tracking Data: See our Cookies Policy for more details.
2.3 How We Collect Your Information
We collect information through various methods, including:
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Directly from You: When you register, update your profile, contact support, or interact with our Platform.
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Automatically: Through cookies, analytics tools, and log files.
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Third Parties: When you link accounts (e.g., Google, LinkedIn) or use third-party services integrated with our Platform.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for various purposes, including but not limited to:
3.1 Providing and Improving Our Services
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Creating and managing user accounts.
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Personalizing the user experience.
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Facilitating educational and professional networking.
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Enhancing platform functionality and security.
3.2 Communication
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Sending updates, notifications, and service-related communications.
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Responding to user inquiries and support requests.
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Sending marketing and promotional materials.
3.3 Compliance and Legal Obligations
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Enforcing our Terms of Service and other policies.
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Detecting, preventing, and addressing fraud, security issues, and abuse.
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Complying with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
3.4 Analytics and Research
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Analyzing usage trends and user interactions to improve the Platform.
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Conducting research and gathering insights to enhance our offerings.
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Generating aggregated and anonymized statistical reports.
Users can opt out of certain uses of their information by adjusting their account settings or contacting us directly.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. However, we may share your data in the following circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers and Partners
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We share data with third-party vendors who assist in providing our services, such as hosting providers, payment processors, and analytics tools.
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These third parties are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide.
4.2 Legal Compliance
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We may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, or legal process.
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If necessary, we may share data with law enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, or other organizations to protect against fraud, security threats, or violations of our policies.
4.3 Business Transfers
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In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred to the new entity.
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We will notify users of any significant changes affecting their personal information.
4.4 Advertising and Marketing
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We allow advertisers to promote their services on Yay Student. Advertisers may receive aggregated and anonymized user insights to tailor their ads.
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Users may see personalized ads based on their interactions, preferences, and activity on the Platform. You can manage your ad preferences in your account settings.
4.5 User-Requested Sharing
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If you choose to connect with third-party services (e.g., social media platforms, external tools), we may share relevant data as per your consent.
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Users can manage these connections in their account settings.
5. International Data Transfers
As a global platform, Yay Student may process and store your data in multiple countries. By using our services, you acknowledge that your data may be transferred, stored, and processed outside of your country of residence.
5.1 Safeguards for International Transfers
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We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data during international transfers.
5.2 User Rights on International Transfers
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You may have the right to request details about where your data is stored and processed.
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If you have concerns about international data transfers, you may contact us to inquire about the safeguards in place.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies.
6.1 Retention Period
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Account Data: Retained as long as the account is active. Users may request deletion at any time.
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Transactional Data: Retained for legal and tax compliance.
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Usage Data: Retained for analytics and security monitoring.
6.2 Data Deletion Requests
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Users may request data deletion via their account settings or by contacting us.
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Some data may be retained to comply with legal obligations or security concerns.
7. User Rights and Choices
Users have rights over their personal data depending on their jurisdiction. These may include:
7.1 Access, Correction, and Deletion
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Users can access and update their data via account settings.
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Users can request deletion of their data unless retention is legally required.
7.2 Data Portability
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Users may request a copy of their data in a commonly used format.
7.3 Marketing Preferences
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Users can opt out of marketing communications via their account settings or unsubscribe links.
7.4 Restriction and Objection
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Users may request to restrict processing of their data or object to certain uses.
To exercise these rights, users can contact us at [support@yaystudent.com].
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze platform usage, and deliver personalized content and advertisements.
8.1 Types of Cookies We Use
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Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of the Platform.
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Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform.
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Advertising Cookies: Used to display relevant ads based on user activity.
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Functional Cookies: Enhance user experience by remembering preferences.
8.2 Managing Cookies
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Users can adjust their cookie settings through browser preferences.
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Some features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
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More details are available in our Cookies Policy.
Data Security
We implement security measures to protect user data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
9.1 Security Measures
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Access Controls: Restricted access to authorized personnel only.
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User Authentication: Users must use unique login credentials to access their accounts.
9.2 User Responsibility
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Users should use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available.
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Users should not share account credentials with others.
While we strive to protect user data, no system is completely secure. If you suspect a security breach, please contact us immediately at [support@yaystudent.com].
10. Third-Party Links and Services
The Platform may contain links to third-party websites, services, or advertisements. We are not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of these third parties.
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External Services: When you access third-party services through our Platform, their privacy policies apply.
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User Responsibility: We encourage users to review third-party privacy policies before engaging with external services.
11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
11.1 Governing Law
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These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where the user resides, without regard to conflict of law principles.
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If local laws mandate specific regulations, those will take precedence where applicable.
11.2 Dispute Resolution
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Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms shall first be attempted to be resolved through good faith negotiations.
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If the dispute cannot be resolved amicably, it shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of an internationally recognized arbitration body.
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The arbitration shall be conducted remotely or in a mutually agreed location, and the decision shall be final and enforceable in any competent court of law worldwide.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our services, regulatory requirements, or industry best practices. If any material changes are made, we will notify users via email or within the Platform before they take effect.
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Reviewing Updates: Users are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy periodically.
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Continued Use: Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect indicates acceptance of the updated policy.