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Effective Date: 1st Oct 2024

At HOFT Academy (“we,” “us,” or “our“), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we use cookies and similar technologies on our platform. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and your choices regarding their use, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the ePrivacy Directive, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Data Protection Law, and the Personal Data Protection Law of Bahrain.

By using our website or services, you agree to the use of cookies as outlined in this policy. If you do not agree, you may disable cookies as described below.

1. Introduction

1.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit websites. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, enhance user experience, and provide information to website owners.

1.2 Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

  • Improve User Experience: Remember your preferences and settings.
  • Gather Analytics: Understand how you interact with our platform to improve functionality and content.
  • Provide Personalized Content: Offer tailored educational content and recommendations.
  • Marketing Purposes: Deliver relevant advertisements and measure their effectiveness.

2. Types of Cookies Used

We categorize the cookies we use based on their purpose and functionality:

2.1 Essential Cookies

  • Purpose: Necessary for the basic functioning of our platform.
  • Functionality:
    • User authentication and login security.
    • Maintaining session state across pages.
    • Access to secure areas of the website.
  • Examples:
    • Session cookies that keep you logged in during your visit.
    • Security cookies to prevent fraudulent activity.

2.2 Performance Cookies

  • Purpose: Collect information about how visitors use our website.
  • Functionality:
    • Monitor website performance.
    • Identify and fix errors.
    • Optimize content delivery.
  • Examples:
    • Google Analytics cookies (e.g., _ga, _gid).
  • Third-Party Providers:

2.3 Functionality Cookies

  • Purpose: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization.
  • Functionality:
    • Remember language preferences.
    • Save progress in courses.
    • Customize user interface elements.
  • Examples:
    • Cookies that store your preferred language or region.
    • Cookies that remember your course progress.

2.4 Advertising & Targeting Cookies

  • Purpose: Deliver relevant advertisements and track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
  • Functionality:
    • Show personalized ads based on browsing behavior.
    • Limit the number of times you see an advertisement.
    • Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
  • Examples:
    • Cookies from advertising networks like Google Ads and Facebook Pixel.
  • Third-Party Providers:

3. Consent Mechanism

3.1 Obtaining Consent

In compliance with the GDPR’s opt-in model:

  • Cookie Consent Banner: Upon your first visit, a banner will appear informing you about our use of cookies.
  • Choice: You have the option to:
    • Accept All Cookies: Consent to the use of all cookies.
    • Customize Settings: Choose which types of cookies you wish to accept or reject.
    • Reject Non-Essential Cookies: Decline performance, functionality, and advertising cookies while allowing essential cookies.

3.2 Managing Consent

  • Change Preferences: You can modify your cookie settings at any time through our Cookie Settings page.
  • Withdrawal of Consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent for non-essential cookies at any time.

4. Managing Cookies

4.1 Browser Settings

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Below are instructions for popular browsers:

  • Google Chrome:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and Other Site Data.
    • Learn more here.
  • Mozilla Firefox:
    • Go to Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data.
    • Learn more here.
  • Safari:
    • Go to Preferences > Privacy.
    • Learn more here.
  • Microsoft Edge:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Cookies and Site Permissions.
    • Learn more here.

4.2 Do Not Track (DNT)

  • Enable DNT: Most browsers allow you to enable a “Do Not Track” feature that sends a signal to websites requesting not to track your activities.
  • Our Response: We honor DNT signals as required by applicable laws.

4.3 Implications of Disabling Cookies

  • Essential Cookies: Disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of our platform, such as logging in or accessing secure areas.
  • Non-Essential Cookies: Disabling performance, functionality, or advertising cookies may reduce the personalization and overall experience.

5. Third-Party Cookies

5.1 Analytics Services

5.2 Advertising Networks

5.3 Social Media Plugins

  • Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn:
    • Purpose: Enable content sharing and interaction with social media platforms.
    • Data Collected: May collect your IP address and the page you are visiting.
    • Privacy Policies:

5.4 Third-Party Responsibility

  • No Control: We do not control the placement of third-party cookies.
  • Review Policies: Please review the privacy policies of these third parties for more information.

6. Data Collected via Cookies

6.1 Types of Data Collected

  • Technical Information:
    • IP address
    • Browser type and version
    • Device type and operating system
  • Usage Data:
    • Pages visited
    • Time spent on pages
    • Clickstream data
  • Location Data:
    • Geolocation inferred from IP address
  • Preferences:
    • Language settings
    • Course progress

6.2 How We Use This Data

  • Analytics: To understand user behavior and improve our services.
  • Personalization: To tailor content and recommendations.
  • Marketing: To deliver targeted advertisements and promotions.
  • Security: To detect and prevent fraudulent activities.

6.3 Data Privacy

  • Anonymization: Data collected is aggregated and anonymized where possible.
  • Personal Data: When linked to your account, data may be considered personal information and will be handled per our Privacy Policy.

7. Retention of Cookie Data

7.1 Duration of Cookies

  • Session Cookies:
    • Definition: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser.
    • Usage: Essential for site navigation and functionality.
  • Persistent Cookies:
    • Definition: Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted.
    • Usage: Remember your preferences and login details for future visits.
    • Expiration: Varies by cookie, ranging from 1 day to 2 years.

7.2 Data Retention

  • Anonymized Data: Retained indefinitely for statistical analysis.
  • Identifiable Data: Retained as long as necessary for the purposes described, or as required by law.
  • User Control: You can delete cookies at any time through your browser settings.

8. Data Transfers

8.1 International Data Transfers

  • Outside EU and GCC: Data collected via cookies may be transferred to countries outside the European Union and GCC countries.
  • Safeguards:
    • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs): We implement SCCs for data transfers outside the EU.
    • Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries recognized by the European Commission as providing adequate data protection.
    • DIFC Regulations: Compliance with DIFC Data Protection Law for transfers from Dubai International Financial Centre.
    • Bahrain PDPL Compliance: Adherence to Bahrain’s Personal Data Protection Law for international transfers.

8.2 Third-Party Data Transfers

  • Third-Party Providers: May transfer data outside your jurisdiction.
  • Review Policies: Consult third-party privacy policies for information on their data transfer practices.

9. Changes to the Cookie Policy

9.1 Policy Updates

  • Review Frequency: We review and update this Cookie Policy annually or as needed.
  • Effective Date: Changes become effective on the date indicated at the top of the policy.

9.2 Notification of Changes

  • Method of Notification:
    • Posting the updated policy on our website.
    • Notifying users via email for significant changes.
  • User Responsibility: We encourage you to periodically review this policy to stay informed.

10. Contact Information

10.1 How to Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

10.2 Regulatory Authorities

If you believe your rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with the relevant data protection authority:

  • European Union:
    • Supervisory Authorities: Contact details can be found here.
  • Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC):
  • Bahrain:

Note: This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

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