Website Data Usage Policy

What Are These Tracking Technologies?

When you visit our site, small data files get stored on your device. Think of them as memory aids that help the website remember things about your visit—like which language you prefer or whether you're logged into your account.

These aren't just traditional browser storage items. We're talking about several technologies that work together:

• Session identifiers that maintain your login status while you navigate between pages
• Preference markers that remember settings like font size or layout choices
• Analytics trackers that show us which educational resources get used most often
• Performance monitors that help identify slow-loading pages or broken features

Without any tracking at all, you'd need to re-enter your information on every single page. The site wouldn't know you from any other visitor. That's why some basic tracking is essential for functionality.

Types We Use on This Platform

How Long Data Stays Around

Different tracking elements have different lifespans based on what they do:

Session-Based Storage

Some data disappears the moment you close your browser. Login sessions usually work this way—they're active while you're studying, then vanish when you leave. This temporary approach adds security since there's no persistent record on your device.

Extended Storage

Other items stick around longer. Preference settings might last months or even a year so you don't have to reconfigure everything on each visit. Analytics identifiers typically expire after 90 days, though some platforms use longer periods.

We've set our retention periods based on actual functional needs rather than just using default settings. If a preference only needs to last a week to be useful, we set it to expire in a week.

External Services We Work With

Running an educational platform means we integrate with third-party tools. Each one may use its own tracking:

• Analytics providers that aggregate usage statistics across our pages
• Content delivery networks that speed up resource loading
• Video hosting services for our tutorial content
• Payment processors for course enrollment (they have their own privacy policies)

These external services operate under their own policies. We choose partners carefully, but once you interact with their embedded features, their tracking practices apply. For instance, if you watch an embedded video, the hosting platform may track that view independently.

Taking Control Through Your Browser

Every modern browser gives you tools to manage tracking. The process varies slightly, but the core concept stays the same.

Blocking all tracking will affect site functionality. You might need to log in repeatedly, lose saved preferences, or find that certain features stop working. Essential functionality tracking can't be disabled because without it, core features break.

Mobile Device Management

Phones and tablets use similar approaches but with slightly different menus:

iOS Devices

Open Settings, scroll to Safari, then tap Privacy and Security. The "Block All Cookies" option is straightforward but aggressive—it stops everything including necessary site functions. "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" offers a middle ground.

Android Devices

In Chrome, tap the three dots, select Settings → Site Settings → Cookies. You'll see options to block third-party tracking while allowing first-party (our site's own) storage. This balance often works well for most people.

What Happens When You Opt Out

Clicking the "Decline All Non-Essential Tracking" button above does several things immediately:

• Removes existing analytics and performance tracking from your browser
• Records your preference so we remember your choice
• Signals to integrated services that you've opted out
• Prevents future non-essential tracking during your visits

Essential functionality tracking remains active because the site can't operate without it. Your login sessions, form submissions, and basic navigation still work normally.

Your opt-out preference gets stored locally—ironically, using the same technology we're discussing. If you clear all site data manually or use a different device, you'll need to opt out again since we can't recognize you without any tracking at all.

Changes to This Policy

We update this document when our tracking practices change. Major updates get announced through email to enrolled students. Minor clarifications might happen without notification.

The "Last updated" date at the top shows when we made the most recent changes. We keep previous versions archived internally, though we don't publish that history publicly. If you have questions about what changed, our support team can explain.