Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 13, 2025

  1. Introduction

TeachForge.ai ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://www.teachforge.ai or use our services.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

  1. Data Controller

TeachForge.ai, located at 186 Watson Heights, Chelmsford, CM11AP, United Kingdom, is the data controller responsible for your personal data.

  1. Information We Collect

We collect and process several types of information from and about users of our services, including:

3.1 Personal Data

Information that identifies an individual or relates to an identifiable individual, including:

  • Name, email address, postal address, telephone number
  • Date of birth (for age verification purposes)
  • Profile picture (if voluntarily provided)
  • Educational background, learning preferences, and academic goals
  • Payment information (processed through our secure payment providers)
  • For tutors: qualifications, experience, teaching specialties, DBS check information

3.2 Session Data

Information about your tutoring sessions, including:

  • Scheduling information
  • Session recordings (when enabled)
  • Chat logs and communications
  • Educational materials shared or created during sessions
  • Notes and feedback from sessions

3.3 Usage Data

Information about your interaction with our services, including:

  • IP address, device information, browser type and version
  • Operating system information
  • Pages viewed, time spent on pages, click data
  • Referral sources and exit pages
  • Date and time of access

3.4 Cookie Data

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. For more details, see our Cookie Policy section below.

  1. How We Collect Information

We collect information through various methods, including:

4.1 Direct Collection

  • When you register for an account
  • When you complete profile information
  • When you book, participate in, or evaluate tutoring sessions
  • When you communicate with us or other users through our platform
  • When you make payments for services

4.2 Automated Collection

  • Through cookies and similar technologies
  • Through server logs and analytics tools
  • Through tracking pixels and web beacons

4.3 Third-Party Sources

  • From payment processors (transaction information only)
  • From identity verification services (if applicable)
  • From third-party authentication services if you choose to connect your account

  1. Legal Basis for Processing

We rely on the following legal bases for processing your personal data:

5.1 Contract

Processing necessary for the performance of our contract with you (e.g., providing tutoring services, managing your account).

5.2 Legitimate Interests

Processing necessary for our legitimate interests, provided these interests do not override your fundamental rights and freedoms (e.g., improving our services, preventing fraud).

5.3 Consent

Processing based on your specific consent (e.g., marketing communications, cookies not essential to the service).

5.4 Legal Obligation

Processing necessary to comply with our legal obligations (e.g., responding to legal requests, maintaining tax records).

5.5 Vital Interests

In rare cases, processing necessary to protect someone's life (e.g., emergency situations involving users).

  1. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for various purposes, including:

6.1 Providing and Improving Services

  • Creating and managing your account
  • Matching students with appropriate tutors
  • Facilitating tutoring sessions and communications
  • Processing payments and providing customer support
  • Analyzing usage patterns to improve our platform and offerings

6.2 Communication

  • Sending service-related notifications and updates
  • Responding to your inquiries and support requests
  • Sending marketing communications (where you have opted in)
  • Providing information about new features or services

6.3 Security and Protection

  • Verifying user identity
  • Preventing and addressing fraud, unauthorized access, and other illegal activities
  • Enforcing our Terms of Service
  • Protecting the rights, property, or safety of TeachForge.ai, our users, or others

6.4 Analytics and Research

  • Conducting research and statistical analysis to improve our services
  • Generating anonymized or aggregated data for analysis
  • Developing new features and functionalities
  • Measuring the effectiveness of our educational content

  1. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information with:

7.1 Other Users

  • Students receive profile information about their tutors and vice versa
  • Messaging and interaction data is shared between participants in a tutoring relationship
  • Students under 18 may have their activity shared with their parent/guardian accounts

7.2 Service Providers

  • Payment processors to complete transactions
  • Cloud hosting and data storage providers
  • Communications and customer support platforms
  • Analytics and monitoring services
  • Identity verification services (if applicable)

7.3 Legal Requirements

  • To comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
  • To enforce our Terms of Service
  • To protect against legal liability
  • To investigate potential violations or misconduct

7.4 Business Transfers

  • In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, subject to standard confidentiality arrangements

7.5 With Your Consent

  • When you have expressly consented to the disclosure
  • As otherwise described at the time of collection

  1. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The specific retention periods depend on the nature of the information and the purposes for which it is used. Factors we consider when determining retention periods include:

  • How long the information is needed to provide our services
  • Whether users have an account with us
  • Whether we have legal or contractual obligations to retain the data
  • Whether retention is advisable considering our legal position (such as for statutes of limitations, litigation, or regulatory investigations)

When we no longer need personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

  1. Data Security

We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures designed to protect the security of your personal data. However, please note that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Our security measures include:

  • Encryption of personal data in transit and at rest
  • Access controls and authentication procedures
  • Regular security assessments and penetration testing
  • Staff training on data protection and security practices
  • Physical security controls for our facilities
  • Incident response procedures

  1. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

10.1 Access

The right to request a copy of your personal data that we hold.

10.2 Rectification

The right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

10.3 Erasure

The right to request that we delete your personal data in certain circumstances.

10.4 Restriction

The right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

10.5 Data Portability

The right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

10.6 Objection

The right to object to our processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

10.7 Withdrawal of Consent

The right to withdraw your consent at any time where we rely on consent to process your personal data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request.

  1. Data Transfers

We primarily process your data within the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area (EEA). However, some of our service providers may be located outside these regions. When we transfer personal data outside the UK or EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

  • Transferring to countries that have been deemed to provide an adequate level of protection
  • Using specific contracts approved by UK or EU authorities (Standard Contractual Clauses)
  • Using service providers that are certified under approved certification mechanisms (such as the EU-US Data Privacy Framework)

  1. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we may have collected information about a child under 13, please contact us immediately using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section.

For users between 13 and 18 years old, we require parental or guardian consent before collecting and processing personal data. We implement additional safeguards and monitoring for these users.

  1. Cookie Policy

13.1 What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behavior information. These cookies allow us to distinguish you from other users of our website and help us provide you with a good experience when you browse our website.

13.2 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of our website
  • Analytical/Performance Cookies: Allow us to recognize and count visitors and analyze website use
  • Functionality Cookies: Remember choices you make to improve your experience
  • Targeting Cookies: Record your visit, pages visited, and links followed to make content more relevant to your interests

13.3 Managing Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through browser settings. You can set your browser to refuse all or some cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of our website may not function properly.

13.4 Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed by third parties on our behalf. These third parties may include analytics providers, advertising networks, and social media platforms. Their use of cookies is subject to their own privacy policies.

  1. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. For significant changes, we will provide a more prominent notice, which may include an email notification. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

  1. Contact Us

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

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Post: TeachForge.ai Limited, 186 Watson Heights, Chelmsford, CM11AP, United Kingdom
  • Phone: +44 1245 261144
  1. Complaints

If you are concerned about our processing of your personal data, you have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues. We would, however, appreciate the chance to deal with your concerns before you approach the ICO, so please contact us in the first instance.