Privacy Policy

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following personal information when you register for our services or interact with our website:

• Full name and preferred name
• Email address and phone number
• Postal address and country of residence
• Date of birth and gender
• Parish affiliation and diocese information
• Educational background and qualifications
• Course preferences and learning objectives
• Payment information for course fees (processed securely through third-party providers)

2.2 Educational Data

In the course of providing educational services, we collect:

• Course enrollment records and academic progress
• Assignment submissions and examination results
• Participation in forums and discussion groups
• Attendance records for online sessions
• Feedback and evaluations of courses and instructors

2.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referral sources and search terms used
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 Educational Services

• Processing course registrations and managing your account
• Delivering educational content and course materials
• Tracking academic progress and issuing certificates
• Facilitating communication between students and instructors
• Providing technical support and customer service

3.2 Communication and Updates

• Sending course announcements and updates
• Notifying you of new courses and educational opportunities
• Sharing relevant Catholic educational resources and news
• Responding to your inquiries and feedback

3.3 Improvement and Analytics

• Analyzing website usage to improve our services
• Conducting educational research and assessment
• Enhancing user experience and course effectiveness
• Ensuring website security and preventing fraud

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We respect your privacy and limit the sharing of your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Within the Catholic Church

• With the Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo for administrative purposes
• With qualified Catholic educators and clergy involved in course instruction
• For certificate verification and academic credential purposes
• With your parish or diocese, with your consent

4.2 Service Providers

• Third-party technology providers who help us deliver our services
• Payment processors for course fee transactions
• Cloud hosting and data storage providers
• Email and communication service providers

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.

4.4 Consent-Based Sharing

We may share your information with your explicit consent for specific purposes, such as connecting you with study groups or educational partners.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure server infrastructure and regular security updates
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Staff training on data protection and privacy practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for 7 years after closure
• Educational Records: Maintained permanently for certificate verification and academic history
• Communication Records: Retained for 3 years for quality assurance purposes
• Technical Data: Typically retained for 2 years for analytical purposes

We may retain certain information longer if required by law or for legitimate educational purposes.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

7.1 Access and Portability

• Request access to your personal information we hold
• Obtain a copy of your data in a portable format
• Review your educational records and transcripts

7.2 Correction and Updates

• Update your account information and preferences
• Correct inaccuracies in your personal data
• Modify your communication preferences

7.3 Deletion and Restriction

• Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Restrict processing of your information in certain circumstances
• Opt out of non-essential communications

Please note that some educational records may need to be retained for legitimate academic and ecclesiastical purposes, even after account deletion.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website:

8.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and account access
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and personalize your experience
• Educational Cookies: Track course progress and learning analytics

8.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and your learning experience.

9. International Data Transfers

As an international Catholic educational platform, we may transfer your personal information to countries outside Sri Lanka for processing. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data:

• Transfers only to countries with adequate data protection laws
• Contractual protections with international service providers
• Compliance with applicable data protection regulations
• Your consent for specific international transfers when required

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are primarily intended for adults seeking theological education. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from children under 16 without parental consent, we will take steps to remove such information promptly.

For youth programs or family-oriented courses, we require parental consent and implement additional privacy protections for minors.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other Catholic organizations, educational institutions, or religious resources. This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit through our links.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes through email or prominent website notices. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

14. Ecclesiastical Oversight

Our data handling practices are conducted under the moral guidance of the Catholic Church and the oversight of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo. We are committed to handling your personal information in accordance with Catholic social teaching principles of human dignity, respect, and stewardship.