What Information We Collect

Information You Provide

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Participate in community discussions
• Submit feedback or suggestions
• Contact us through available channels

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, navigation patterns
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution
• Log Data: IP address, access times, referrer URLs

How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Improve User Experience: Analyze usage patterns to enhance content and navigation
• Content Development: Understand which guides are most helpful to prioritize updates
• Technical Maintenance: Monitor site performance and fix technical issues
• Community Moderation: Ensure discussions remain helpful and appropriate

Third-Party Services

Our website may use third-party services that collect information:

Analytics Services

• Purpose: Understanding website usage and performance
• Data Collected: Anonymous usage statistics, page views, user journey
• Data Protection: We use privacy-focused analytics when possible

Discussion Platform (if applicable)

• Purpose: Enabling community discussions and support
• Data Collected: Comments, usernames, interaction data
• Third-Party Policies: Subject to the discussion platform’s privacy policy

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

• Purpose: Faster loading times and improved performance
• Data Collected: IP address, request data for caching
• Data Protection: Standard CDN security practices

Cookies and Tracking

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help websites remember your preferences and improve functionality.

Our Cookie Usage

We may use cookies for:

• Essential Functions: Site navigation and basic functionality
• Analytics: Understanding how visitors interact with our content
• Preferences: Remembering your settings and preferences

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Accept All: Full functionality and analytics
• Essential Only: Basic site functionality only
• Decline All: May limit some site features

Data Security

Protection Measures

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information:

• Secure Hosting: Using reputable hosting providers with security standards
• Encrypted Connections: HTTPS encryption for data transmission
• Access Controls: Limited access to any collected data
• Regular Updates: Keeping software and security measures current

Data Retention

• Analytics Data: Typically retained for 12-26 months for trend analysis
• Log Data: Usually retained for 30-90 days for security purposes
• User-Generated Content: Retained as long as it provides value to the community

Your Rights and Choices

Access and Control

You have the right to:

• Access: Request information about data we may have collected
• Correction: Request correction of any inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a readable format

Opt-Out Options

You can opt out of:

• Analytics Tracking: Through browser settings or privacy tools
• Cookies: Through browser settings (may affect functionality)
• Community Features: By not participating in discussions

Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information, please contact us so we can delete such information.

International Users

This website is operated from and governed by the laws of the United States. If you are accessing our website from outside the US, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the US where our servers are located.

Third-Party Links

Our website contains links to third-party websites, including:

• GitHub Education and partner company websites
• Official documentation and support resources
• Community platforms and forums

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Changes to This Policy

Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect:

• Changes in our practices or services
• Updates to legal requirements
• Improvements in data protection measures

Notification

When we make significant changes:

• Website Notice: We’ll post a notice on our website
• Updated Date: The “Last Updated” date will be revised
• Continued Use: Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of changes

Contact Information

Questions About Privacy

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

• Community Discussions: Post in our general discussion forum
• General Inquiries: Use our contact page for non-urgent questions

Data Protection Requests

For specific requests regarding your data:

• Access Requests: Contact us through our community platform
• Deletion Requests: Specify which data you’d like removed
• Technical Issues: Include relevant details to help us assist you

Transparency and Accountability

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

• Transparency: Clear communication about our data practices
• Minimization: Collecting only necessary information
• Purpose Limitation: Using data only for stated purposes
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for data protection

Student Focus

As a student-focused resource:

• We prioritize educational value over data collection
• We avoid tracking methods that could compromise student privacy
• We support digital literacy and privacy awareness
• We encourage students to understand their digital rights

Legal Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with applicable privacy laws, including:

• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) principles

Disclaimer

This privacy policy applies specifically to GESP Guide. When you click links to other websites or use third-party services (including GitHub Student Pack partners), you are subject to their respective privacy policies and terms of service.