Privacy Policy

Introduction

At iStudyMate, we deeply value the privacy of our website visitors and users. We are committed to safeguarding the personal data you provide on www.istudymate.com and ensure it is handled with the highest confidentiality in accordance with applicable data protection laws. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, as well as your rights regarding that information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any material changes will be posted on this page and, when appropriate, communicated to you by email or via a notice on our website. Please review this policy periodically to remain informed about how we protect your information.

Collection of Personal Information

Information We Collect

When you interact with iStudyMate, we may collect various types of personal information, including:

• Personal Data: Your full name, mailing and home addresses, email address, telephone number, date and place of birth, and other details necessary for your registration or application.
• Account Credentials: During registration, you are asked to create a username (your email address) and password.
• Payment Details: If you provide credit card information to pay any applicable fees, these details are securely transmitted to our trusted payment processor.
• Parental/Guardian Information: For student applicants, we may also request information about a parent or legal guardian.
• Other Voluntary Data: Any additional data you provide through our forms or during interactions on the website.

Tracking Technologies

To enhance your browsing experience and improve our services, iStudyMate employs tracking technologies such as cookies, beacons, tags, and scripts. These tools help us:

• Analyze trends and manage the site.
• Understand how users navigate our site to improve usability.
• Deliver personalized content and targeted advertisements.

While you can disable cookies via your browser settings, please note that doing so may restrict certain features on our website.

How We Use Your Information

For Applicants and Users

Your personal information is used to:

• Process your applications and registrations.
• Enable communication between you and the institutions or service providers you select.
• Send confirmation messages, reminders, and technical support information related to your application.

For Institutional Users

If you are an administrator or representative of a school, your contact details are used exclusively to securely deliver applicant data to your institution. We do not use or share this information for any other purposes.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

iStudyMate may share your personal data with:

• Trusted Service Providers: Independent partners who help us manage, store, and secure your information.
• Member Institutions: The colleges or universities you select, which receive your application details.
• Address Verification Services: Partners that validate mailing addresses.
• Advertising Partners: When applicable, to manage and deliver targeted ads on our website.

Please be aware that iStudyMate is not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties that receive your personal data. We encourage you to review their policies separately.

Security Measures

We take the security of your personal information seriously and have implemented robust measures to protect it:

• Secure Data Transmission: All data submitted through our website is encrypted using SSL technology.
• Account Protection: Your account is secured by a password; we advise you to keep your credentials confidential and to sign out when finished.
• Payment Security: Credit card details are transmitted directly to our payment processor and are not stored on our servers.
• Access Controls: Access to your personal data is limited to authorized personnel and trusted partners who require it for legitimate purposes.

Despite our efforts, no data transmission over the Internet is completely secure. You acknowledge and accept that you provide your information at your own risk.

Identity Theft and Fraud Prevention

iStudyMate is committed to protecting its users from identity theft and fraudulent activities:

• Monitoring: We continuously monitor for any suspicious activities or patterns that might indicate fraud.
• Reporting: Should you suspect any unauthorized activity or identity theft, please immediately contact us at service@istudymate.com.
• Preventative Action: If credible evidence of fraud or misuse is found, we reserve the right to suspend or terminate user accounts and take necessary legal action, including cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

Your Rights to Access, Update, or Delete Your Information

You have control over your personal data:

• Access & Updates: Log in to your account to review or update your personal details. You may update contact information like your email address or phone number.
• Deletion Requests: To request deletion of your personal information, please contact us at service@istudymate.com. We will process your request within ten (10) business days.
• Password Assistance: If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" feature available on our website to reset it securely.

Note that once your data has been shared with a member institution, you might need to contact them directly to update or remove your information.

Participation in Partner Programs

As a registered user, you have the option to participate in specific partner programs where a limited portion of your personal information is shared with selected third parties. Participation is voluntary, and you can opt out at any time by adjusting your account settings or contacting us directly.