Cookie Policy

We are committed to transparency about our cookie usage and provide you with granular control over your cookie preferences in compliance with international privacy laws.

1. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?

Cookie Definition:

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit our website. They help us recognize your device and remember information about your visit, making your educational experience more efficient and personalized.

Technologies We Use:

• HTTP Cookies: Traditional browser cookies for various purposes
• Local Storage: HTML5 local storage for larger educational data
• Session Storage: Temporary storage during your learning session
• Web Beacons: Small graphic images for analytics tracking
• JavaScript Tags: Code snippets for enhanced functionality
• Mobile SDK: Mobile app tracking technologies (if applicable)

Cookie Duration Types:

• Session Cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent Cookies: Remain until expiration or manual deletion
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (Stripe, analytics)

2. Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary)

Authentication and Security:

• User Login Sessions: Maintain your logged-in status across pages
• Authentication Tokens: Secure verification of your identity
• CSRF Protection: Cross-site request forgery prevention
• Bot Detection: Automated system protection and fraud prevention
• Account Security: Multi-factor authentication support

Technical Functionality:

• Language Settings: Remember your preferred language
• Accessibility Features: Maintain accessibility preferences
• Form Validation: Ensure proper form submission and data integrity
• Load Balancing: Distribute traffic for optimal performance
• Error Tracking: Technical debugging and system monitoring

Retention Period: Session duration or up to 24 hours maximum

3. Performance and Analytics Cookies

Google Analytics 4 (GA4):

• Page Views: Track which educational content is most accessed
• User Navigation: Understand learning path patterns
• Time on Page: Measure engagement with educational materials
• Device Information: Optimize for different devices and browsers
• Geographic Data: Anonymized location for content localization
• Acquisition Metrics: Understand how users discover our platform

Educational Performance Tracking:

• Test Completion Rates: Monitor IELTS practice test engagement
• Learning Module Progress: Track progress through educational content
• Feature Usage Analytics: Identify most valuable learning tools
• Performance Metrics: Measure educational effectiveness
• Improvement Patterns: Analyze learning progress over time

Retention Period: Up to 26 months (can be configured shorter)

Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

4. Functional Cookies

Personalization Features:

• Study Plan Preferences: Remember your customized learning goals
• Dashboard Layout: Save your preferred dashboard arrangement
• Test Settings: Maintain practice test difficulty and timing preferences
• Notification Preferences: Remember your communication settings
• Theme Settings: Save dark/light mode and display preferences

Educational Features:

• Progress Tracking: Maintain learning milestone records
• Bookmarked Content: Remember saved questions and materials
• Personal Notes: Store your annotations and study notes
• Study Streaks: Track consecutive days of platform usage
• Achievement Data: Maintain badge and accomplishment records

Retention Period: Up to 12 months

5. Payment Processing Cookies

Stripe Payment Processing:

• Payment Session Management: Secure payment form sessions and data
• Fraud Detection: Advanced fraud prevention and transaction analysis
• Transaction Security: Payment verification and authorization
• Payment Method Storage: Securely remember preferred payment methods
• Billing Validation: Verify billing information and addresses

Subscription Management:

• Subscription Status: Track active subscription and billing cycles
• Payment Cycle Management: Handle recurring billing and renewals
• Upgrade/Downgrade: Process plan changes and pro-rations
• Payment Failure Handling: Manage failed payment recovery
• Billing History: Maintain transaction records for account access

Retention Period: Transaction completion + 7 years (regulatory requirement)

Compliance: PCI DSS Level 1, SOC 2 Type II certified processing

6. Third-Party Cookies and Services

We work with trusted third-party service providers who may set their own cookies to deliver essential services for our educational platform.

Essential Third-Party Services:

Analytics Third-Party (With Consent):

7. Cookie Consent Management

Consent Requirements:

• Freely Given: No negative consequences for refusing non-essential cookies
• Specific: Clear explanation of purpose for each cookie category
• Informed: Detailed information about data processing
• Unambiguous: Clear affirmative action required for consent
• Withdrawable: Easy withdrawal of consent at any time

Consent Management Tools:

• Cookie Consent Banner: Initial consent collection on first visit
• Cookie Settings Panel: Granular controls for each cookie category
• Accept All / Reject All: Quick options for all non-essential cookies
• Cookie Preference Center: Accessible anytime via footer link
• Consent Records: Maintain history of your consent decisions

Consent Withdrawal:

• Withdraw consent anytime through cookie settings
• Changes take effect immediately upon saving
• Previously collected data may be retained per our Privacy Policy
• Essential cookies remain active for platform functionality

8. Managing Cookies

You have multiple options to control cookies on our educational platform and through your browser settings.

Our Cookie Preference Center:

• Access: Available via footer link "Cookie Settings" on every page
• Categories: Toggle individual cookie categories on/off
• Detailed Information: View specific cookies and their purposes
• Download Records: Export your cookie consent history
• Update Anytime: Change preferences whenever needed

Browser-Level Controls:

Browser Options:

• Block All Cookies: Prevent all cookie storage (may break functionality)
• Block Third-Party Cookies: Allow only first-party cookies
• Delete Existing Cookies: Clear stored cookies from all sites
• Site-Specific Settings: Configure preferences per website
• Incognito/Private Mode: Browse without storing cookies

9. Educational Platform Specific Cookies

Our IELTS preparation platform uses specialized cookies to enhance your educational experience and provide personalized learning features.

IELTS Practice Test Cookies:

• Test Session Management: Maintain test progress and timing across pages
• Answer Storage: Temporarily store test responses and modifications
• Audio Playback: Remember audio position and playback settings
• Test Security: Prevent cheating and ensure test integrity
• Performance Tracking: Monitor individual question response times

Learning Progress Cookies:

• Study Goals: Track daily and weekly learning objectives
• Module Completion: Monitor progress through educational content
• Skill Assessments: Store diagnostic test results and recommendations
• Learning Streaks: Maintain consecutive study day tracking
• Adaptive Learning: Personalize content based on performance data

Virtual Classroom Cookies:

• Room Participation: Manage classroom session attendance
• Interactive Features: Support real-time collaboration tools
• Screen Sharing: Enable educational content sharing
• Communication: Facilitate teacher-student interactions

10. International Cookie Compliance

Our cookie practices comply with international privacy and data protection laws to ensure global accessibility of our educational platform.

European Union (GDPR + ePrivacy):

• Explicit Consent: Required for non-essential cookies
• Cookie Information: Detailed disclosure before placement
• Withdrawal Mechanism: Easy consent withdrawal options
• Data Subject Rights: Full privacy rights compliance
• DPO Contact: Available for cookie-related inquiries

United States State Laws:

• CCPA (California): "Do Not Sell" cookie opt-out mechanisms
• VCDPA (Virginia): Consent for targeted advertising cookies
• CTDPA (Connecticut): Consumer rights for cookie data
• UCPA (Utah): Transparency in cookie data processing

Other Jurisdictions:

• Canada (PIPEDA): Meaningful consent for cookie placement
• Brazil (LGPD): Lawful basis for cookie data processing
• Australia (Privacy Act): Cookie privacy protection measures
• UK (UK GDPR): Post-Brexit data protection compliance

11. Cookie Audit and Monitoring

We regularly audit our cookie practices to ensure continued compliance and transparency about our data collection methods.

Regular Audits:

• Monthly Reviews: New cookies identified and categorized
• Quarterly Assessments: Cookie policy accuracy verification
• Annual Compliance: Full legal compliance verification
• Vendor Monitoring: Third-party cookie practice reviews
• User Feedback: Integration of user concerns and suggestions

Monitoring Tools:

• Automated Scanning: Regular cookie detection and categorization
• Consent Analytics: Monitor consent banner performance and user choices
• Compliance Dashboard: Real-time compliance status monitoring
• Third-Party Audits: Independent verification of cookie practices

12. Contact Information

For questions about our cookie practices, privacy concerns, or to exercise your rights, please contact us through the following channels:

13. Policy Updates and Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We are committed to transparency about any modifications.

Update Procedures:

• Change Notification: Email notice to registered users for material changes
• Website Banner: Prominent notification on platform for policy updates
• Advance Notice: 30 days notice for significant cookie practice changes
• Version History: Previous policy versions available upon request
• Effective Date: Clear indication when changes become active

Consent Renewal:

• New consent required for material changes to cookie practices
• Automatic consent renewal prompts for significant policy updates
• Continued use indicates acceptance of updated terms
• Option to withdraw consent and adjust settings after changes