Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 1 July 2025 Last Updated: 1 July 2025

At Base58 School of Engineering, we are committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal information. As an engineering education nonprofit, we understand the importance of data security and transparency.

Our Privacy Commitment

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for commercial purposes. Your trust is fundamental to our educational mission, and we take our responsibility to protect your data seriously.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

  • Registration Information: Name or nym, email address, phone number, nostr pubkeys.

  • Course Materials: Assignments, projects, and assessment responses.

  • Communication Records: Messages sent through our platforms, support requests, and feedback

  • Payment Information: Billing details for course fees (processed securely through third-party payment processors) where applicable.

  • Demographic Information: Optional information about your background to help us improve our programs and as required for federal reporting.

Information Collected Automatically

  • Website Usage Data: We do not log your website visits. Our server will record IP addresses that access it.

  • Learning Analytics: Course progress, completion rates, and engagement metrics

  • Technical Information: Device information, operating system, and connectivity data for troubleshooting.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information solely for educational and organizational purposes and to ensure quality of service:

  • Program Delivery: Providing course content, instruction, and technical support

  • Communication: Sending course updates, newsletters, and important announcements

  • Improvement: Analyzing program effectiveness and enhancing our educational offerings

  • Compliance: Meeting legal requirements and maintaining records as required by law

  • Community Building: Facilitating connections between learners (only with your consent)

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We Do NOT Share Your Information For Commercial Purposes

We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing or commercial purposes.

Limited Sharing for Educational Purposes

We may share information only in these specific circumstances:

  • Service Providers: Trusted vendors who help us deliver our programs (email platforms, learning management systems, payment processors) under strict confidentiality agreements

  • Educational Partners: Other nonprofit educational institutions for collaborative programs, with your explicit consent

  • Instructors and Teaching Assistants: Course-related information necessary for instruction and support

  • Aggregated Data: Anonymous, statistical information for grant reporting and impact assessment

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, such as:

  • Valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders)

  • Protecting safety and preventing harm

  • Investigating fraud or security breaches

  • Complying with applicable educational privacy laws

We comply with all applicable privacy laws, including:

  • FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) for educational records

  • COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) if we serve learners under 13

  • State Privacy Laws including California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar regulations

  • International Laws such as GDPR for European participants

  • Sector-Specific Regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

  • Encryption: Data transmission and storage using current encryption standards

  • Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

  • Minimal Collection: We actively limit the amount of data we collect and require to access our services

  • Security Training: Regular training for staff on data protection practices

  • Incident Response: Procedures for addressing any potential security breaches

6. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary for:

  • Active Enrollment: Throughout your participation in our programs

  • Educational Records: As required by educational regulations (typically 3-7 years)

  • Alumni Relations: With your consent, for ongoing community engagement

  • Legal Requirements: As mandated by applicable laws

You may request deletion of your information, subject to our legal obligations to maintain educational records.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Email Communications

  • Opt-out: Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails at any time

  • Essential Communications: Course-related emails cannot be opted out of during active enrollment

Data Access and Control

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we have about you

  • Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information

  • Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to educational record requirements)

  • Portability: Receive your data in a portable format where technically feasible

Additional Rights (Where Applicable)

  • Opt-out of Sale: We don’t sell data, but you can formally opt-out if required by law

  • Non-Discrimination: We won’t discriminate against you for exercising privacy rights

8. Cookies and Tracking

Our Use of Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

  • Essential Functions: Login sessions and course access

  • Analytics: Understanding how our website and courses are used

  • Preferences: Remembering your settings and preferences

Your Cookie Choices

  • Browser Settings: Configure your browser to reject cookies (may affect functionality)

  • Analytics Opt-out: Use our analytics opt-out tools when available

  • Third-party Cookies: To date we don’t use third-party software on our website.

9. Third-Party Services

We use trusted third-party services that have their own privacy policies:

  • Learning Management Systems: Udemy

  • Email Services: Mailgun

  • Payment Processing: Stripe and OpenNode

  • Video Conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, Jitsi, Keet

We carefully vet these providers and require them to protect your information according to our standards.

10. International Data Transfers

If we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards through:

  • Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries with adequate protection

  • Standard Contractual Clauses: Legal frameworks for secure transfers

  • Consent: Your explicit consent where required

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect:

  • Changes in our programs or technology

  • New legal requirements

  • Improvements to our privacy practices

Notice of Changes: We’ll notify you of significant changes via email and post updates on our website at least 30 days before they take effect.

12. Children’s Privacy

If we serve learners under 18, we take additional precautions:

  • Parental Consent: Required for children under 13

  • Limited Collection: Only information necessary for educational purposes

13. Contact Us

Privacy Questions or Requests

Response Time

We’ll respond to privacy requests within [30] days and will acknowledge receipt within [5] business days.

Summary

Our Promise: We protect your privacy, don’t share your information for commercial purposes, and comply with all applicable laws. Your data is used solely to provide excellent engineering education and support our nonprofit mission.

Questions? We’re here to help. Contact us anytime about your privacy rights or how we handle your information.

This policy reflects our commitment to transparency and your right to privacy while participating in our engineering education community.