This Privacy Policy was last updated on January 1, 2026.

Thank you for choosing Vcourse. At Vcourse (“Vcourse,” “we,” “us,” “our”), we are committed to building a trusted learning ecosystem that prioritizes your privacy, security, and the overall health of our platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you access our Services (the Vcourse website, mobile applications, and all related services). It also outlines your enhanced rights and our ethical data stewardship principles. By using our Services, you agree to this policy. Please read it carefully.

Table of Contents

1. Our Privacy Philosophy & Ethical Data Stewardship

2. What Data We Collect

3. How We Collect Data

4. How We Use Your Data: Purpose-Limited Processing

5. Who We Share Your Data With: Minimal & Necessary Sharing

6. Data Security & Protection Measures

7. Your Privacy Rights & Controls

8. Platform-Good & Community Standards

9. Jurisdiction-Specific Disclosures

10. Updates, Contact, & Dispute Resolution

1. Our Privacy Philosophy & Ethical Data Stewardship

We believe privacy is a fundamental right. Our data practices are guided by the principles of Minimization, Transparency, and Platform-Good. We collect only what is necessary, explain what we do, and use data not only to serve you but to foster a safe, respectful, and high-integrity learning environment for all. We will never sell your personal data.

2. What Data We Collect

2.1 Data You Provide Directly

• Account & Profile Data: Email, secure password, name, profile picture, bio, and professional links.

• Learning & Performance Data: Course enrollment, progress, completion certificates, assignment submissions, quiz scores, and instructor interactions.

• Financial Data: Payment method information (processed by PCI-DSS compliant third parties). We store only a tokenized reference, not your full card details.

• User-Generated Content: Courses you create, reviews, forum posts, comments, and direct messages (subject to community guidelines).

• Verification Data: If required for instructor status or certifications, we may collect government ID or professional credentials.

2.2 Data Collected Automatically

• Technical & Device Data: IP address (anonymized where possible), device ID, browser type, operating system, and crash logs.

• Usage & Interaction Data: Pages visited, time spent, features used, search queries, and clickstream data. We employ on-device processing for sensitive analytics where feasible to limit data transmission.

2.3 Data We Do NOT Collect (Prohibited Categories)

We explicitly do not collect or process:

• Racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership.

• Genetic data, biometric data for identification, or health data.

• Data concerning a person’s sexual orientation.

• Precise real-time geolocation data without explicit, purpose-specific consent.

3. How We Collect Data

• Directly From You: When you register, complete your profile, participate in a course, or contact support.

• Via Automated Technologies: Using cookies and similar tracking technologies. We categorize these as:

  • Essential: Required for core platform functionality. Cannot be opted out.

  • Performance & Analytics: Help us understand usage. You can opt out via our Cookie Preference Center.

  • Advertising & Social: Used by trusted third parties for limited, platform-approved advertising. Opt-out is default; you must opt-in via our settings.

• From Third Parties: Such as payment processors (transaction confirmation) or, if you choose, single-sign-on providers (e.g., Google, LinkedIn) for basic profile information.

4. How We Use Your Data: Purpose-Limited Processing

We process your data only for specific, lawful purposes:

5. Who We Share Your Data With: Minimal & Necessary Sharing

We share data only under strict contracts that mandate confidentiality and data protection:

• Instructors & Peers: Your profile and course activity are shared as necessary for the learning experience (e.g., with your instructor for the course you’re taking).

• Trusted Service Providers: Cloud hosting, payment processing, customer support, and analytics providers. We conduct annual security audits of these partners.

• For Legal Compliance: If required by law, subpoena, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of Vcourse, our users, or the public.

• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, sale, or acquisition, with notice to users.

• Aggregated/De-identified Data: We may share analytics with partners or for research, ensuring it cannot be used to identify you.

6. Data Security & Protection Measures

We implement a defense-in-depth strategy including:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS 1.3+) and at rest (AES-256).

• Strict access controls, role-based permissions, and mandatory multi-factor authentication for our staff.

• Regular penetration testing and security audits.

• A dedicated 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) for threat monitoring.

• Comprehensive data breach response plan, with notification to regulators and affected users as required by law.

7. Your Privacy Rights & Controls

You have comprehensive rights over your data. You can exercise most rights directly in your Account Settings > Privacy Dashboard.

• Access & Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

• Correction & Deletion: Update inaccurate data or request deletion of your account and personal data.

• Restriction & Objection: Object to or restrict certain processing activities.

• Opt-Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe via any marketing email or your settings.

• Cookie & Tracking Controls: Manage preferences via our Cookie Preference Center.

• Automated Decision-Making: You have the right to obtain human intervention and contest decisions based solely on automated processing that significantly affect you.

To submit a formal request, contact [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days and will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

8. Platform-Good & Community Standards

To maintain a high-quality, trustworthy platform, we may use your data in limited ways to:

• Detect & Prevent Harm: Employ advanced, privacy-preserving techniques (like federated learning or on-device analysis) to identify fraud, plagiarism, coordinated spam, hate speech, or other policy violations without pervasive surveillance.

• Promote Quality Learning: Analyze aggregated, de-identified data to identify course quality trends, improve recommendation systems, and support instructors.

• Ensure Authenticity: Verify instructor and user identities in specific contexts to reduce fraud and build community trust.

You will be notified of any significant use of data for platform-good purposes and may have opt-out options where legally and practically feasible.

9. Jurisdiction-Specific Disclosures

• California (CCPA/CPRA): California residents have the right to know, delete, correct, and opt-out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. We do not sell data as traditionally defined. Use our Privacy Dashboard or contact us to exercise your rights.

• European Economic Area (EEA) & United Kingdom (UK): Our legal basis for processing is outlined in Section 4. You have the rights in Section 7. Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted at [email protected]. Our EU/UK representative

• Australia: You may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

• Brazil (LGPD), Canada (PIPEDA), etc.: We respect the data protection laws of all jurisdictions in which we operate. Contact us for specific requests.

10. Updates, Contact, & Dispute Resolution

• Updates: We will notify you of material changes via email or in-platform notice at least 30 days before they take effect. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

• Contact Us: For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights:
  Email: [email protected]
  Postal Mail: Vcourse Privacy Office, VCourse Privacy Office
  15 Hudson Yards, Suite 1802
  New York, NY 10001
  United States

• Dispute Resolution: We commit to resolving complaints about your privacy and our collection. Please contact us first. If unsatisfied, you may contact your local data protection authority.