Privacy Policy

Welcome to the Privacy Policy of Speekl, LLC (collectively referred to as "Speekl", "speekl.com", "we", "our" or "us" in this Privacy Policy). We respect your privacy, and we are committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your personal data when you use Speekl's services, including but not limited to the Speekl mobile application, Speekl web application, and the web-based tutor panel, collectively referred to as the “Platform.” It also covers your privacy rights and legal protections when you visit our Websites, regardless of where you visit it from.

By using and/or ordering services, and/or downloading the Platform, you consent to all actions that we take with respect to your data consistent (collection, use and transfer of your data) with this Privacy Policy, and you acknowledge that you have read and agree to be bound by it.

If you disagree with any part of this Privacy Policy, then please do not use the Platform.

1. Definitions

   Speekl (also referred to as "speekl.com", "we", "our" or "us") — Speekl, LLC, a limited liability company registered and organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its registered office at 1111b South Governors Ave, STE 7418, Dover, DE 19904, USA.

   Platform — online language learning platform developed by Speekl, which facilitates the language learning process between Students and Tutors, including but not limited to the Speekl mobile application, Speekl web application and the web-based tutor panel.

   Websites — Speekl’s websites, including but not limited to website located at speekl.com, and its sub-domains.

   Student — a user that purchases Tutoring Services by using the Platform.

   Tutor — a user that provides Tutoring Services by using the Platform.

   Tutoring Services — all tutoring services provided by a Tutor to the Students, including but not limited to paid lessons, packages and other online language tutoring services by using the Platform.

   Lesson — a paid instructional session conducted between a Tutor and a Student through the Platform.

   Speekl Classroom — a video conferencing tool, allowing Students and Tutors to meet each other and conduct Lessons virtually - either by video or audio-only or both.

   User (also referred to as “you”) — any individual accessing or utilizing the services and functionalities offered by the Platform, including but not limited to Students and Tutors.

2. Data Collection

   We collect certain personal information directly from Users when they interact with the Platform. The types of information we collect include but are not limited to phone numbers, email addresses, first names, last names, and User’s photos. This data is collected directly from User inputs within the Platform.

   By providing this personal information voluntarily through User inputs, Users consent to the collection and use of their data as described in this Privacy Policy. We utilize this data to facilitate the functionality of the Platform, personalize User experiences, provide support and assistance, and communicate important updates or notifications related to the Platform or Speekl.

   We recognize the importance of safeguarding personal information and are committed to maintaining its privacy and security. We implement industry-standard measures to protect User data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

   The personal information collected, including but not limited to phone numbers, email addresses, first names, and last names, is used solely for the purposes stated in this Privacy Policy and is not shared with third parties unless necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, or with User consent.

   Users have the right to review, update, or request the deletion of their personal information by contacting us through the details provided in the "Contact Us" section of this Privacy Policy.

   Please note that while we take appropriate measures to protect User data, no method of data transmission or storage can guarantee absolute security. Users should be aware of the inherent risks associated with transmitting personal information over the internet or through electronic means.

   By using the Platform and providing personal information, Users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to the data collection practices outlined in this Privacy Policy. If Users do not agree with any part of this Privacy Policy, they should refrain from using the Platform and accessing the Platform services.

3. Data Usage and Purpose

   The personal information collected through the Platform is used for specific purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. We are committed to ensuring that the data we collect is used responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The following describes how we use the collected data:

   • Personalization and User Experience: We may utilize the collected data, including but not limited to phone numbers, email addresses, first names, last names, and User's photos, to personalize the User experience within the Platform. This includes customizing content, recommendations, and learning materials to align with individual preferences and needs.
   • Communication and Support: We may use the provided contact information, including but not limited to phone numbers and email addresses, to communicate important updates, announcements, or notifications related to the Platform or Speekl, including changes to our services or policies. Additionally, we may use this information to respond to User inquiries, provide technical support, and address User feedback or concerns.
   • Progress Tracking and Assessment: The data collected may be utilized to track and assess User progress, performance, and achievements within the Platform. This information may be used to provide personalized feedback, analyze learning patterns, and offer targeted recommendations to enhance the educational experience.
   • Research and Improvement: We may use aggregated and anonymized data, including usage statistics and patterns, for research and analytical purposes. This information helps us improve the functionality, features, and effectiveness of the Platform, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of our Users.
   • Legal Compliance: In certain circumstances, we may be required to use and disclose personal information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes, such as responding to court orders or government requests.
   • Consent and Preferences: We respect User preferences and will seek explicit consent for any additional uses of personal information beyond those specified in this Privacy Policy.

   We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. However, in specific situations, we may share personal information with trusted service providers who assist us in operating the Platform, conducting our business, or delivering services to Users. These providers are obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of the data.

   It is important to note that we employ data minimization practices, meaning we only collect and retain personal information that is necessary to fulfill the purposes stated in this Privacy Policy.

   By using the Platform and providing personal information, Users acknowledge and consent to the specified data usage described in this Privacy Policy. If Users do not agree with any part of this Privacy Policy, they should refrain from using the Platform and accessing the Platform services.

4. Data Sharing

   • SendGrid Integration: the Platform is integrated with SendGrid, a cloud-based email platform for delivering transactional and marketing emails. We share only the User's email address with SendGrid to facilitate User registration using email address and one-time password (OTP) verification, which is sent by SendGrid. For more information about SendGrid's data practices, we recommend reviewing their privacy policy.
   • Zoom Video SDK Integration: the Platform is integrated with Zoom Video SDK to provide video, audio, screen sharing, chat, data streams via Speekl Classroom. When utilizing Zoom Video SDK within the Platform, we share only User's email address with Zoom Video SDK. We do not share any of the User's personal data with Zoom Video SDK.
   • Stripe Integration: the Platform is integrated with Stripe, an online payment processing platform. Stripe allows Students to securely and efficiently make payments for their Lessons and enable payouts to Tutors. It is important to note that Speekl and the Platform do not have access to or store any of the User's payment details, as Stripe allows the Platform to bill the Students through integrated iframe for checkouts instead of directly processing the User's payment details. To learn about Stripe's data practices, we recommend reviewing their privacy policy.

   While we strive to ensure the privacy and security of User data shared with third-party integrations, it is essential to consult the privacy policies of SendGrid, Zoom Video SDK, and Stripe to understand their specific information practices and how they handle User data.

   By using the Platform and availing its services, Users acknowledge and consent to the sharing of their email address with SendGrid for authentication purposes, the sharing of their email address with Zoom Video SDK for video conferencing functionality, and the sharing of their payment details with Stripe for secure and efficient online payments.

5. User Rights

   We recognize and respect the rights of our Users concerning their personal information. As a User of the Platform, you have the following rights:

   • Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. If you would like to review, verify, or receive a copy of your personal information, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable laws and regulations.
   • Right to Rectification: If you believe that the personal information we have about you is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, you have the right to request correction or updates. You can make such requests by contacting us using the provided contact information, and we will take reasonable steps to ensure that any inaccurate information is rectified promptly.
   • Right to Erasure: In certain circumstances, you have the right to request the deletion or removal of your personal information. This right is not absolute and depends on the legal basis for processing and any applicable legal requirements or exceptions. If you wish to exercise this right, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section.
   • Right to Data Portability: You may have the right to obtain a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and to transfer that information to another data controller. If you wish to exercise this right, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section.
   • Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain situations, including when the processing is based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes. If you wish to object to the processing of your personal information, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section.
   • Right to Withdraw Consent: If you have provided your consent for the processing of your personal information, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing based on consent before its withdrawal. To withdraw your consent, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section.

   We are committed to addressing and fulfilling these rights in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations. Please note that there may be limitations and exceptions to these rights based on local laws and regulations.

6. Data Security

   We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate measures to safeguard it. We are committed to protecting your data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. In the Platform, we employ industry-standard security practices to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your personal information.

   • Data Encryption: We use encryption techniques to protect your personal information during transmission. This helps prevent unauthorized interception or access to your data while it is being transmitted between your device and our servers.
   • Secure Storage: Your personal information is stored securely on servers with restricted access. We follow best practices to ensure that your data is protected from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.
   • Access Controls: We limit access to your personal information to authorized individuals who need to process it for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. These individuals are bound by strict confidentiality obligations and may be subject to disciplinary actions or termination if they fail to meet these obligations.
   • Regular Security Assessments: We regularly conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities and risks. This includes monitoring our systems for any suspicious activities or breaches and promptly taking appropriate action to mitigate such incidents.
   • User Responsibilities: While we take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information, it is important for you to also play a role in maintaining data security. We recommend that you keep your login credentials confidential, and exercise caution when sharing personal information online.
   • Data Retention: We retain your personal information indefinitely to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by applicable laws and regulations. Once you request your data deletion, we securely dispose of your it.

   Despite our best efforts, no method of data transmission or storage can guarantee absolute security. Therefore, while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its security with 100% certainty. Please be aware of the risks associated with transmitting personal information over the internet or through electronic means and take necessary precautions.

   In the event of a data breach that compromises the security of your personal information, we will take immediate steps to investigate the incident, mitigate the impact, and notify you as required by applicable laws.

   If you have any concerns about the security of your personal information or if you believe there has been unauthorized access to your account, please contact us immediately using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section of this Privacy Policy.

   By using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree that no method of data transmission or storage can be guaranteed as completely secure, and you accept any associated risks.

7. User Consent

   By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. We rely on your consent as the legal basis for processing your data, unless otherwise stated or required by applicable laws.

   • Voluntary Provision of Information: The use of the Platform may require you to provide certain personal information voluntarily, including but not limited to your phone number, email address, first name, last name, and User photo. By providing this information, you consent to its collection and use in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
   • Consent for Data Processing: By using the Platform and providing your personal information, you expressly consent to the processing of your data as outlined in this Privacy Policy. This includes but is not limited to the collection, storage, use, disclosure, and retention of your personal information for the purposes stated herein.
   • Consent for Children's Data: When a User discloses personal information through the Platform, the User is representing to us that he or she is at least thirteen (13) years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 in accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If you are a parent or guardian and become aware that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately so that we can delete the child’s information from our records.
   • Revocation of Consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section. Please note that withdrawing your consent may affect your ability to access certain features or services provided by the Platform.
   • Consent for Third-Party Integrations: The Platform may integrate with third-party services, such as SendGrid, Zoom Video SDK, and Stripe, as described in the "Data Sharing" clause of this Privacy Policy. By using the Platform and utilizing these integrated services, you acknowledge and consent to the sharing of your relevant data with these third-party providers as necessary to provide the specified functionalities.
   • Marketing Communications: If you choose to provide your contact information, including but not limited to your email address, you may receive marketing communications from us regarding our products, services, or promotional offers. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time by following the instructions provided in the communication or by contacting us using the details in the "Contact Us" section.
   • Legal Compliance: In certain circumstances, we may be required by law to obtain your consent for specific data processing activities. If applicable, we will seek your consent in accordance with the requirements of applicable laws.

   It is important to note that your consent is not the sole basis for processing your personal information. We may also process your data based on other legal grounds, such as the performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, protection of vital interests, or legitimate interests pursued by us or a third party.

   By using the Platform, you confirm that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy, and you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your personal information in accordance with its terms, including but not limited to the provisions related to children's online privacy as required by COPPA.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

   At Speekl, we're dedicated to your privacy and are committed to providing a transparent and secure User experience. We want to ensure you're aware that the Platform employs cookies and tracking technologies to enhance your experience and gather insights into how you use our services.

   Cookies are small text files stored on your device to collect data about your browsing behavior. Tracking technologies, such as web beacons and pixel tags, help us understand your interactions with websites and applications. These technologies are utilized within the Platform to optimize your experience and improve our services.

   Your privacy is a top concern, and we value the protection of your personal information. While we collect certain data, as outlined in our Privacy Policy, it is solely for the purpose of enhancing the Platform's functionality and does not compromise your privacy.

9. Data Retention

   We understand the importance of data retention and strive to maintain your personal information securely and responsibly.

   • Retention Period: We retain your personal information indefinitely to provide the Platform services and meet our contractual obligations to you. The specific retention period may vary depending on the nature of the information and the purposes for which it was collected. Once you request your data deletion, we securely dispose of it to ensure its protection.
   • Legal Requirements: In some cases, we may be required to retain your personal information for a longer period to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our rights and agreements. We will only retain the necessary information for these purposes and ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy.
   • User Data Deletion: If you wish to have your personal information deleted from our records, you can make a request by contacting us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section. Upon receiving a valid deletion request, we will securely dispose of your data in a timely manner, unless retention is necessary to comply with legal obligations or protect our legitimate interests.
   • Anonymized and Aggregated Data: We may retain and use anonymized or aggregated data that does not personally identify you for statistical analysis, research, and other legitimate business purposes. This data cannot be linked back to you and does not impact your privacy rights.

   We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard your personal information during the retention period. This includes measures to protect against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure of your data.

   By using the Platform, you acknowledge and accept that we retain your personal information for the purposes described above and in accordance with this Privacy Policy, unless you request its deletion.

10. Third parties and your responsibilities

    If you choose to use the Platform functionality that allows you to send messages to third parties outside of the Platform, you must obtain their permission to provide their personal information, such as their name, phone number or email address, to Speekl, and all other parties necessary to carry out the requested functionality, for example, by routing a message. You are solely responsible for maintenance of the confidentiality and security of any information which you transmit from or store on your computer, tablet, or mobile device for purposes of accessing and using the Platform, and for all transactions and other activities undertaken in your name, whether authorized or unauthorized. You agree to immediately notify Speekl of any unauthorized transactions associated with the Platform, or any other breach of security, and that Speekl shall not be responsible for any losses, costs or expenses arising out of the loss or theft of information which you may have transmitted from or stored on any device of yours, or from unauthorized or fraudulent transactions associated with the Platform.

11. International transfers

    Your Personal Data may be transferred, stored, and processed in any country in which we operate. We in place suitable technical, organizational and contractual safeguards to ensure that such transfer is carried out in compliance with applicable data protection rules, except where the country to which the data is transferred has already been determined by the European Commission to provide an adequate level of protection.

12. International

    This English-language Privacy Policy is Speekl official statement of the Platform privacy practices. In case of any inconsistency between this English-language Privacy Policy and its translation into another language, this English-language document prevails.

13. Updates to the Privacy Policy

    We keep our Privacy Policy under regular review. This version was last updated on 15 February 2024.

    We may change our Privacy Policy, so please check this page from time to time, as your continued use of the Platform, after we publish our changes, indicates your acceptance of any changed terms.

14. Contact us

    We value your privacy and are dedicated to resolving any privacy-related issues promptly. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please feel free to contact us.

    You can reach out to us by sending an email to hello@speekl.com.

    We encourage you to provide sufficient information regarding your inquiry or request to help us better understand and respond to your concerns. We will make every effort to respond to your inquiry in a timely and appropriate manner.

    Please note that while we strive to ensure the security and confidentiality of any information you transmit to us through email or other means of communication, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. Therefore, we recommend refraining from sharing sensitive or confidential information through unencrypted channels.

    By contacting us, you acknowledge and accept that any communication or inquiry you make to us regarding privacy matters will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.