Privacy Policy

1. Introduction & Our Commitment

At Dishani Online Academy ("we," "us," "our," or "the Academy"), we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our students, parents, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, enroll in our courses, use our Learning Management System (LMS), or interact with our teachers and support team. We comply with applicable data protection laws, including Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for our European students.

By using our services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our website or enroll in our courses. We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

2. Information We Collect

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

• Personal Identifiers: Full name, date of birth, gender, and relationship to student (parent/guardian).
• Contact Information: Email address, phone number (including WhatsApp), mailing address, and emergency contact details.
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (credit/debit card information is processed by secure third-party payment processors; we do not store full card details).
• Educational Data: Course enrollment history, class attendance records, progress reports, assessment scores, teacher feedback, and learning preferences.
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device information, and cookies or similar tracking technologies when you visit our website.
• Communication Data: Records of your interactions with our support team, including emails, chat messages, phone calls, and WhatsApp conversations.
• Class Recordings: With your consent, we may record live classes for quality assurance and educational purposes. Recordings are stored securely and are accessible only to the student and authorized staff.

For students under 18, we collect information from the parent or legal guardian. Parents have the right to access, update, or delete their child's information at any time by contacting our privacy team.

3. How We Collect Your Information

We collect information through the following methods:

• Directly from you: When you fill out enrollment forms, contact us via email or WhatsApp, register for a free trial, purchase a course, or communicate with our teachers.
• Automatically: When you browse our website, we use cookies and analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to collect usage data, improve our site, and understand user behavior.
• From third parties: We may receive information from payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) to confirm transactions, or from social media platforms if you interact with our pages.

4. How We Use Your Information

Dishani Online Academy uses your personal information for the following legitimate business purposes:

• To provide our services: Process enrollments, schedule classes, assign teachers, deliver live sessions, share progress reports, and issue certificates.
• To communicate with you: Send class reminders, payment confirmations, policy updates, and respond to your inquiries.
• To improve our offerings: Analyze usage patterns, evaluate teacher performance, develop new courses, and enhance our LMS.
• To process payments: Bill your chosen payment method, send invoices, and manage refunds or discounts.
• To ensure safety and compliance: Monitor for fraudulent activity, enforce our Terms & Services, and comply with legal obligations.
• To personalize your experience: Recommend courses based on your learning level, send relevant offers or discounts (with your consent).

We do not use automated decision-making or profiling that significantly affects you. All class assignments and assessments are handled by qualified human teachers.

5. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

For our students and visitors located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contractual Necessity: To perform our contract with you (e.g., enrollment, class delivery).
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, prevent fraud, and communicate important updates.
• Consent: For marketing communications, optional class recordings, and non-essential cookies.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with tax, record-keeping, or regulatory requirements.

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time and the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests.

6. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your data with:

• Service Providers: Trusted third parties who help us operate our business, such as payment processors (PayPal, Stripe), video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Google Meet), email service providers, and cloud storage providers. These parties are contractually obligated to protect your data and may only use it for specified purposes.
• Teachers & Staff: Our certified instructors and support team have access to student information necessary to conduct classes and provide progress updates.
• Legal Authorities: If required by law, court order, or government regulation, we may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations or protect our rights, property, or safety.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new owner, who will be bound by this Privacy Policy.

We require all third-party service providers to maintain appropriate security measures and comply with applicable data protection laws.

7. Data Security & Retention

Dishani Online Academy implements industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our website.
• Secure servers with firewalls and access controls.
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Staff training on data protection and privacy best practices.

While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential.

Data Retention: We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with services. After enrollment ends, we may retain certain data for legal, tax, or legitimate business purposes (e.g., to resolve disputes or enforce agreements). Typically, student records are kept for 3 years after the last class. You may request deletion of your data earlier by contacting us.

8. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality (e.g., remembering your language preference).
• Analytics Cookies: To track visitor behavior and improve our site (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Functional Cookies: To remember your settings and provide enhanced features.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website. For more information, see our Cookie Policy (contact us to request).

9. Children's Privacy

Dishani Online Academy serves students of all ages, including children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children without parental consent. All enrollments for minors must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. Parents/guardians have the right to review, update, or delete their child's information, and to refuse further collection or use. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child without parental consent, please contact us immediately so we can delete the data.

We recommend that parents supervise their children's online activities and discuss the importance of not sharing personal information with strangers online.

10. International Data Transfers

Our headquarters are in Islamabad, Pakistan, but we serve students worldwide. Your personal information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Pakistan or other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country of residence. We take steps to ensure that your data receives an adequate level of protection, including using standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities. By using our services, you consent to such transfers.

11. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your data, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data pending resolution of a dispute.
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw any previously given consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) at dishanionlineacademy@gmail.com or write to us at our Islamabad address. We will respond to verified requests within 30 days. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

12. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as payment gateways, social media platforms, or educational resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party website you visit.

13. Marketing Communications & Opt-Out

We may send you promotional emails about new courses, discounts, or events. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or by contacting us. Even if you opt out, we will continue to send you transactional or service-related messages (e.g., class confirmations, payment receipts, policy updates).

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email (if you have an active account) or by posting a prominent notice on our website. Your continued use of our services after the changes become effective indicates your acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

15. Contact Information & Data Protection Officer

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

Dishani Online Academy
Attn: Privacy Officer / Data Protection Officer
Address: F-10 Markaz, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: dishanionlineacademy@gmail.com
Phone: 03212991985
WhatsApp: 03212991985

We are committed to resolving any privacy-related issues promptly and transparently.