Privacy Policy

1. About ConsultEd

ConsultEd is a European education consulting service that helps students secure admission to funded PhD and Master's programs in European public universities. We provide end-to-end support including application assistance, document preparation, visa guidance, and accommodation support across Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy, and Belgium.

2. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide our educational consulting services effectively:

Personal Information

• Name, email address, and phone number
• Academic background and educational history
• Professional experience and career goals
• Country of residence and citizenship
• Language proficiency details

Service-Related Information

• Services you're interested in (one-on-one consulting, visa help, resume support, scholarship applications)
• Preferred countries and universities for study
• Communication through our contact forms and consultation sessions
• Application documents and supporting materials

Technical Information

• Website usage data (pages visited, time spent)
• IP address and browser information
• Device type and screen resolution

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to provide our educational consulting services:

Core Services

• Conduct personalized one-on-one consultation sessions
• Prepare customized application documents (resumes, motivation letters, letters of recommendation, research proposals)
• Provide visa application assistance and guidance
• Support scholarship application processes
• Assist with accommodation arrangements
• Offer application support for European universities

Communication and Support

• Respond to your inquiries and support requests
• Send relevant educational opportunities and program updates
• Provide deadline reminders and application status updates
• Share success stories and testimonials (with permission)

Service Improvement

• Review feedback to improve our consultation services
• Enhance our service delivery based on client experiences
• Develop new resources and guidance materials

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We take your privacy seriously and do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties except in the following circumstances:

With Your Consent

• University applications: We share your application materials with universities when applying on your behalf
• Scholarship applications: We submit your information to scholarship providers
• Reference checks: We may contact your references as part of the application process

Service Providers

• Email service providers (Gmail/Nodemailer) for communication
• Website hosting services (Vercel/hosting platform)
• Payment processing partners (when applicable)
• Translation services for document preparation

Legal Requirements

• When required by law or legal process
• To protect our rights, property, or safety
• To prevent fraud or illegal activities

5. Data Security and Storage

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

• Secure email systems with encryption for sensitive communications
• Access controls limiting who can view your information
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Secure document storage for application materials
• Data backup and recovery procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have several rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

• Request access to your personal information
• Update or correct inaccurate information
• Request copies of your application documents

Data Control

• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Opt-out of marketing communications
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent for data processing

Communication Preferences

• Choose which types of communications you receive
• Update your contact preferences
• Unsubscribe from newsletters and updates

7. Website Technology and Data Collection

Our website is built with modern web technologies and collects minimal technical information:

What We Do NOT Use

• No Tracking Cookies: We do not use analytics cookies or tracking technologies
• No Third-Party Analytics: No Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or similar tracking services
• No Marketing Cookies: No advertising or marketing tracking technologies
• No Cross-Site Tracking: We do not track your activity across other websites

Technical Information We Collect

• Server Logs: Basic web server logs (IP address, page accessed, timestamp)
• Form Submissions: Information you provide through contact forms
• Email Communications: Records of our email correspondence

This minimal approach ensures your privacy while allowing us to provide our services effectively. We believe in transparency and only collect what's necessary for our educational consulting services.

8. International Data Transfers

As we help students apply to universities across Europe, your information may be transferred to and processed in different countries including Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Italy, and Belgium. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

• Active Clients: During the entire application and consultation process
• Application Documents: Up to 3 years after application completion
• Communication Records: Up to 5 years for legal and business purposes
• Marketing Communications: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for individuals 16 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware of such collection, we will take steps to delete the information.

11. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending email notifications for material changes
• Providing notice during consultation sessions

Your continued use of our services after policy changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.