Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 15, 2025
We respect your privacy. This policy explains how GamesMachine collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our educational platform at gamesmachine.social. By accessing our services, you agree to the practices described here.
1. Information We Collect
When you interact with our platform, we collect different types of information to provide you with quality education and support your learning journey. Here's what we gather and why it matters.
Personal Information You Provide
This includes details you share directly with us:
- Name, email address, and phone number when you register
- Payment information processed through secure third-party providers
- Profile details like educational background and career interests
- Communication preferences and course selections
- Any messages you send through our contact forms or support channels
Learning Activity Data
We track your progress to help you learn better:
- Course completion rates and lesson progress
- Quiz scores and assessment results
- Project submissions and portfolio work
- Time spent on different learning materials
- Interaction with tutorials and practice exercises
Technical Information
Standard web data that helps us improve your experience:
- IP address and browser type
- Device information and operating system
- Pages visited and navigation patterns
- Session duration and access times
- Referral sources and search terms used to find us
2. How We Use Your Information
Your data serves specific purposes that directly benefit your learning experience. We don't collect information just to have it—everything we gather has a practical use.
Purpose | Details |
---|---|
Course Delivery | Providing access to lessons, tracking progress, issuing certificates upon completion |
Communication | Sending course updates, assignment reminders, technical support responses |
Platform Improvement | Analyzing usage patterns to enhance content quality and user experience |
Payment Processing | Handling enrollment fees and maintaining transaction records |
Legal Compliance | Meeting regulatory requirements and protecting against fraud |
Marketing Communications: We may send you information about new courses or features. You can opt out of promotional emails at any time through the unsubscribe link in each message. We'll still send essential course-related notifications.
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We don't sell your personal information to anyone. Period. But we do share certain data with trusted partners who help us run the platform effectively.
Service Providers
Third-party companies that assist with:
- Payment processing (secure transaction handlers)
- Email delivery services for course notifications
- Cloud hosting providers for data storage
- Analytics tools to understand platform usage
- Customer support software for handling inquiries
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law, such as responding to court orders, government requests, or protecting our legal rights. This happens rarely, but we're obligated to comply with valid legal processes.
Business Transfers
If GamesMachine is acquired or merges with another company, your information may transfer to the new entity. You'll be notified of any such change, and the new owner must honor the commitments made in this policy.
4. Data Security
Protecting your information is something we take seriously. We use industry-standard security measures to safeguard data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
Our security practices include:
- Encrypted data transmission using SSL/TLS protocols
- Secure server infrastructure with regular security audits
- Access controls limiting who can view your information
- Regular backups to prevent data loss
- Monitoring for suspicious activity and potential breaches
Your Responsibility: Keep your login credentials private. Use a strong password and don't share your account with others. If you suspect unauthorized access, contact us immediately at support@gamesmachine.social.
While we implement robust security measures, no system is completely foolproof. We can't guarantee absolute security, but we continuously work to minimize risks and respond quickly to any incidents.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Like most websites, we use cookies—small files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and understand how you use our platform.
Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for basic platform functionality like logging in and navigating courses
- Performance Cookies: Help us understand which features are popular and where users encounter issues
- Functional Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences for a personalized experience
- Analytics Cookies: Track overall usage patterns to improve content and user experience
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain platform features, but you'll still be able to access most content. Check your browser's help section for instructions on managing cookies.
6. Your Privacy Rights
You have significant control over your personal information. Here's what you can do with the data we hold about you.
Access and Review
Request a copy of the personal information we've collected about you. We'll provide this in a readable format within 30 days of your request.
Correction
Update inaccurate or incomplete information through your account settings or by contacting us directly. We'll make corrections promptly.
Deletion
Request deletion of your account and associated data. We'll remove your information within 60 days, except where we're legally required to retain certain records (like transaction history for tax purposes).
Data Portability
Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format that you can transfer to another service. This includes your course progress, submissions, and profile information.
Marketing Opt-Out
Unsubscribe from promotional emails while continuing to receive essential course communications. Use the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or adjust preferences in your account settings.
Indian Residents: You have rights under applicable Indian data protection laws. Contact us to exercise any rights related to your personal information.
7. Student Data Protection
Educational data deserves special protection. We treat student information with extra care, following best practices for academic privacy.
Course Progress Data
Your learning progress, grades, and assessment results are private. We don't share this information with third parties unless you explicitly request it (like for employment verification).
Portfolio and Project Work
Any projects or portfolio pieces you create remain your intellectual property. We may showcase student work with your permission, but you control whether your projects are displayed publicly.
Instructor Access
Course instructors and support staff can view your progress and submissions to provide feedback and assistance. This access is limited to what's necessary for educational purposes.
Data Retention
We retain your course data for as long as your account remains active plus an additional period to accommodate transcript requests. After account deletion, we anonymize learning analytics for platform improvement.
8. Third-Party Links and Services
Our platform may link to external websites or integrate third-party tools for enhanced learning. We're not responsible for the privacy practices of these external services.
When you click a link to another site or use an integrated tool, you're subject to that service's privacy policy. We recommend reviewing their policies before sharing personal information.
Examples of third-party services we may use:
- Video hosting platforms for course content
- Code repositories for project submissions
- Design tools for creating game assets
- Community forums hosted on external platforms
9. Children's Privacy
Our platform is designed for adults pursuing professional education. We don't knowingly collect information from individuals under 18 years old without parental consent.
If you're under 18 and interested in our courses, please have a parent or guardian contact us to discuss appropriate enrollment procedures. If we discover we've collected data from a minor without proper consent, we'll delete that information promptly.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than India, where data protection laws might differ. When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
By using our platform, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries where our service providers operate. We work only with providers that maintain adequate data protection standards.
11. Changes to This Policy
We update this privacy policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we'll notify you through email or a prominent notice on the platform.
The "Effective Date" at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. Continued use of our platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. If you disagree with any changes, you may close your account, though we'd prefer to address your concerns directly.
Contact Us About Privacy
Questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data? We're here to help. Reach out through any of these channels:
We typically respond to privacy inquiries within 48 hours during business days. For urgent matters, please indicate "Privacy Urgent" in your subject line.