1) Who We Are

Speaklay is an online learning marketplace that connects Students with independent Teachers for lessons and learning services. Speaklay is based in the United Kingdom.

2) Information We Collect

We collect information to operate the Platform, process payments, improve services, and keep the community safe.

A) Information You Provide

When you create an account or use Speaklay, you may provide:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number (if required)
• Profile photo (optional)
• Country and time zone
• Language preferences
• Teacher profile details (bio, experience, rates, availability)
• Messages you send through the Platform
• Lesson requests and booking details
• Support requests and reports
• Reviews and ratings

B) Payment Information

Payments are processed through trusted third-party payment providers. Speaklay does not store full card details. We may collect limited payment-related information such as:

• Payment status (successful/failed)
• Transaction reference numbers
• Billing country
• Payout details for Teachers (example: bank or payment account info)

C) Automatically Collected Information

When you use the Platform, we may collect:

• IP address
• Device type and browser type
• Log data and timestamps
• Pages visited and actions taken
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• Approximate location (based on IP)

3) How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Provide access to Platform features
• Connect Students with Teachers
• Process payments and payouts
• Schedule and manage lessons
• Provide customer support
• Prevent fraud, abuse, and suspicious activity
• Enforce our Terms and policies
• Improve the Platform performance and user experience
• Send service updates and important notices
• Send marketing communications (only if allowed by law and your preferences)

4) Legal Bases for Processing (UK GDPR)

If you are in the UK or EEA, we process personal data under these legal bases:

5) How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

A) Other Users (Students and Teachers)

To enable lessons and communication, limited information may be visible to others, such as:

• Your name (or display name)
• Profile photo (if uploaded)
• Lesson booking details
• Messages sent through the Platform
• Reviews and ratings you leave

B) Service Providers

We may share data with trusted third parties who help us operate Speaklay, such as:

• Payment processors
• Hosting and cloud providers
• Analytics providers
• Customer support tools
• Email and notification services

These providers only process data under our instructions and for Platform purposes.

C) Legal and Safety Reasons

We may disclose information if required to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Respond to lawful requests
• Protect users from harm
• Investigate fraud or security issues
• Enforce our Terms and policies

D) Business Transfers

If Speaklay is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

6) Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in
• Remember preferences
• Improve site performance
• Understand user behavior and improve features
• Detect fraud and abuse

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Some Platform features may not work properly if cookies are disabled.

7) Data Retention

We keep your personal information only as long as necessary to:

• Provide the Platform
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Enforce agreements
• Prevent fraud and maintain security

When no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize the data.

8) Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including safeguards against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration.

However, no online system is 100% secure. You are responsible for keeping your password confidential and using a strong password.

9) Your Rights

Depending on your location (including the UK/EEA), you may have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data
• Object to certain processing
• Restrict processing
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent (where applicable)

To make a request, contact us using the details in the "Contact Us” section.

10) Marketing Communications

We may send marketing emails only where allowed by law. You can opt out at any time by:

• Clicking "unsubscribe” in emails, or
• Updating your account notification settings (if available)

Service-related emails (example: password reset, booking confirmations) may still be sent even if you opt out of marketing.

11) International Data Transfers

Your data may be processed in countries outside the UK where our service providers operate.

Where required, we use appropriate safeguards to protect your data (example: standard contractual clauses).

12) Children’s Privacy

Speaklay is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.

If you believe a child has provided personal data, please contact us so we can remove it.

13) Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. Speaklay is not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies before using them.

14) Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on the Platform with a new "Last Updated” date.

Your continued use of Speaklay means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.