1.1 Introduction

THE IFE ACADEMY ("THE IFE ACADEMY", "we", "us", or "our") respects the privacy of students, visitors and users of our website, mobile applications and online coaching services.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect, why we collect it, how we use it, how we protect it, and the circumstances in which it may be shared with service providers.

THE IFE ACADEMY provides independent online coaching and educational services for fire professionals preparing for the Level 3 Diploma offered by The Institution of Fire Engineers (UK). By using our website, mobile applications or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1.2 Information We Collect

Personal Information

• Full name
• Mobile number
• Email address
• Country
• State and/or city
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Photograph
• Fire service or company name
• Job designation
• Educational qualification

Account and Authentication Information

We may collect information necessary to create and authenticate your account, including your mobile number, email address and authentication information. The exact login and authentication mechanism will depend on the final application configuration.

Payment Information

When you purchase a course or subscription, payment-related information may be processed by our payment service provider. THE IFE ACADEMY may receive transaction ID, payment status, amount paid, currency, transaction date/time and payment method or related metadata.

THE IFE ACADEMY does not intend to store complete card numbers, CVV numbers or other sensitive card credentials on its own servers. Payment details may be processed by the applicable payment service provider under its own policies and security practices.

1.3–1.5 Device, Technical and App Usage Information

Device and Technical Information

• Device information
• Device identifiers where applicable
• IP address
• Operating system
• Application version
• Network-related information
• App usage information
• Security and diagnostic information

The exact technical information collected may depend on the services, SDKs and technologies integrated into the application.

App Usage Information

Information may be used to maintain application security, prevent unauthorized access, monitor technical performance, diagnose errors and crashes, improve functionality, protect course content and detect misuse or unauthorized account sharing.

Information We Do Not Currently Intend to Collect

• IFE Membership Number
• Course progress information
• Test or quiz result information

If application functionality changes and additional information becomes necessary, this Privacy Policy may be updated accordingly.

1.6 How We Use Personal Information

• Create and manage student accounts
• Verify user identity
• Provide access to purchased courses
• Process payments and confirm successful transactions
• Activate subscriptions and manage subscription expiry
• Send subscription expiry reminders and important IFE-related updates
• Respond to enquiries and provide customer support
• Process refund requests
• Maintain application security and prevent fraud or unauthorized access
• Protect intellectual property and course content
• Improve the website and applications and diagnose technical problems
• Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements

1.7 Communications

• Account verification OTPs
• Payment confirmations
• Subscription activation confirmations
• Subscription expiry reminders
• Important IFE-related updates
• WhatsApp communications where applicable
• Customer service communications

We do not currently intend to send promotional offers or regular email newsletters.

1.8–1.10 Sharing, Payment Providers & International Payments

THE IFE ACADEMY does not sell or rent users' personal information.

Information may be shared with trusted service providers where reasonably necessary to operate services, including payment gateway providers, cloud hosting providers, application infrastructure providers, authentication/OTP providers, analytics or crash-reporting providers if used, technical service providers and customer support providers.

Payments may be processed through third-party providers such as Razorpay or another provider selected by THE IFE ACADEMY. The final gateway may change. Third-party providers may collect and process payment information according to their own privacy policies, security standards and applicable laws.

International payment processing may involve international payment networks, banks or payment service providers and may be subject to foreign exchange, taxation, banking, payment and regulatory requirements.

1.11–1.12 Cookies, Website Technologies & Data Security

Our website may use cookies, analytics tools, session technologies and similar technologies to maintain functionality, understand usage, improve user experience, maintain security and analyse technical performance.

Developer confirmation required: Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, other analytics or cookie services.

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, disclosure or destruction. No internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of login credentials and reporting suspected unauthorized access.

1.13 Account Deletion

Users will be provided with a method to request deletion of their THE IFE ACADEMY account and associated personal information. The application and website account-deletion mechanism will be implemented in accordance with applicable Google Play and Apple App Store requirements.

THE IFE ACADEMY will delete or anonymise associated personal information within a reasonable period, subject to information that may lawfully or necessarily be retained for legal compliance, tax and accounting requirements, fraud prevention, security, payment dispute resolution and record keeping.

1.14–1.15 Children's Privacy & Third-Party Services

THE IFE ACADEMY is intended primarily for adult students and professional fire personnel. Our services are not specifically directed toward children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children where such collection is prohibited by applicable law.

Our website or applications may contain links to or integrations with third-party services. THE IFE ACADEMY is not responsible for the privacy practices, security practices or content of third-party websites or services. Users should review the applicable privacy policies of third-party providers.

1.16–1.17 Changes & Contact

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in services, application functionality, technology, payment providers, legal requirements or data practices. The updated version will be published on the website with the revised Last Updated date.