Effective Date: October 29, 2025
ReliefScholars is committed to protecting the privacy of our learners, expert members, and organizational partners. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, process, and disclose your information when you access or use our website and services, including our accessible humanitarian news and reports.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information directly from you when you register for an account, apply for membership, enroll in a course, or interact with our platform.
A. Information You Provide Directly
- Account Data: When you register as a learner, we collect your name and email address. We also collect a hashed password (which we cannot read).
- Membership Application Data: If you apply to become an experienced member or organization, we collect professional information, including work history, organizational affiliation, credentials, CV/resume details, and a justification for your expertise.
- Communication Data: Records of our communications, including support requests, forum participation, or feedback you submit.
- Payment Data (Third-Party): When you purchase a paid course, your payment details (e.g., credit card number) are handled directly by our third-party payment processors. ReliefScholars does not store sensitive financial information; we only receive confirmation of payment.
B. Course and Usage Data
- Learning Progress: Information related to your course enrollment and progress, and consumption of reports and analyses, including quizzes taken, grades, completion status, and time spent on modules.
- Usage Information: We automatically collect data about your interactions with the site, such as the pages you view, the time and date of your visit, and the courses and reports you browse.
C. Technical Data
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, remember your preferences, and analyze site performance.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following core purposes:
- To Provide and Maintain the Service: To manage your account, process membership applications, enable course enrollment, and grant you access to content.
- To Communicate with You: To send service updates, security alerts, and administrative messages.
- Service Improvement: To analyze user behavior and learning outcomes to continuously improve the functionality and content of the ReliefScholars platform, including the clarity and relevance of our news analyses.
- Personalization: To suggest relevant courses, opportunities, news stories, and content based on your learning history and interests.
- Security and Compliance: To protect the platform and our users from fraud, enforce our Terms and Conditions, and comply with legal obligations.
3. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
A. With Third-Party Course Providers (Crucial)
When you enroll in a course hosted by an external organization or individual member (a third-party course), we will share limited information about you, typically your name and email address, with the course provider. This sharing is necessary to enable them to manage your access to the course, track your progress, and issue completion certificates.
B. With Service Providers
We share data with trusted third-party companies who provide services on our behalf, such as cloud hosting, analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), email delivery, and customer support. These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and are restricted from using the data for any purpose other than providing services to ReliefScholars.
C. For Legal Reasons
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with legal processes, protect the rights or property of ReliefScholars, or protect the safety of our users or the public.
4. Data Security and Retention
- Security: We implement technical and administrative security measures (such as encryption and access controls) designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
- Retention: We retain your personal data for as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide you with services. We will also retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
5. Your Data Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
- Access: Request copies of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data (subject to certain legal exceptions).
- Opt-Out: Opt-out of receiving marketing communications from us.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. For profile data, you can often update or delete it directly through your account settings.
6. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
ReliefScholars Administration admin@reliefscholars.org