1. Introduction

Welcome to EduLink KE ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users' data. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, process, and disclose your information across the EduLink KE platform. It applies to all services we provide, including our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. This policy is written to be as clear and straightforward as possible. Please read it carefully.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our Services. The type of information we collect depends on your interaction with our platform.

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

• Student Account Data: When you create a student account, we collect your name, email address, phone number, university, course of study, graduation date, and a profile picture. To build your profile, you may voluntarily provide your CV, academic transcripts, skills, portfolio links, and career interests.
• Employer Account Data: When you register as an employer, we collect the company name, contact person's name and title, business email address, phone number, and details about your organization. You will also provide information for internship postings, including job descriptions and requirements.
• Institution Account Data: When an institution partners with us, we collect the institution's name, address, and the contact details of the designated administrator(s).
• Communications: If you contact us directly, we may receive additional information about you such as your name, email address, phone number, the contents of the message and/or attachments you may send us, and any other information you may choose to provide.

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

• Log and Usage Data: We automatically collect log data when you access and use our Services. This information includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, access times, and the page you visited before navigating to our site.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies to help operate, secure, and analyse our Services. We use them to remember your settings, understand your interactions, and customize content and advertising. Please see our "Cookies and Tracking Technologies" section for more details.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes:

• To Provide and Maintain our Service: Creating your account, facilitating internship applications, and enabling communication between users.
• To Improve and Customize the Platform: Understanding how users interact with our platform allows us to enhance user experience and develop new features.
• To Match Students with Opportunities: We use student profile data and employer requirements to provide relevant internship matches.
• For Analytics and Reporting: We provide partner institutions with anonymized and aggregated reports on student placement rates and industry trends to help them improve educational outcomes.
• For Communication: To send you service updates, security alerts, and administrative messages. With your consent, we may also send you marketing communications.
• For Safety and Security: To verify accounts, prevent fraud, and enforce our Terms of Service.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Your privacy is important, and we limit who we share your data with.

• For Students: When you apply for an internship, your profile information (including your name, CV, and skills) is shared with that specific employer for their review.
• For Employers: Your company's profile and internship postings are visible to students and institutions on our platform.
• Third-Party Service Providers: We work with third-party companies that help us run our business (e.g., cloud hosting, data analytics, email delivery, customer support). These providers have access to your information only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we have a good faith belief that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our Services. We may also retain your information to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Anonymized data may be retained indefinitely for analytics and reporting purposes.

6. Data Security

We are committed to securing your data and have implemented administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect it. This includes using SSL encryption for data in transit and encrypting sensitive data at rest. However, please remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.

7. Your Data Protection Rights

You have certain rights regarding your personal data. Depending on your location, these may include the right to:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Rectification: You can request to correct or update any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Erasure: You can request that we delete your personal information.
• Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit how we use your data.
• Data Portability: You can request to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

You can exercise most of these rights directly through your account settings. For any other requests, please contact us at privacy@edulink.co.ke.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies to operate and administer our website, gather usage data on our website, and improve your experience. A "cookie" is a piece of information sent to your browser by a website you visit. You can set your browser to accept all cookies, to reject all cookies, or to notify you when a cookie is set. If you reject cookies, you may not be able to use some of the features of our Services.

9. Policy for Children

Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. For significant changes, we may also notify you through your registered email address.

11. Contact Us

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

EduLink KE
Attn: Data Protection Officer
JKUAT, Juja, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: privacy@edulink.co.ke