StudyPal — Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

1. Overview

StudyPal respects your privacy. This policy explains what personal and non-personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, how long we keep it, and your rights in relation to that data.

2. Data We Collect

• Account Information: name, email, phone, country, profile photo, bio, role (student, tutor, evaluator).
• Profile & Teaching Data: qualifications, subjects/exams, hourly rate (for tutors), availability.
• Usage Data: activity logs, course progress, quiz results, forum posts, matching history.
• Payment & Billing: payment transactions, invoices, billing address (we do NOT store full card data; payment processors do).
• Communications: messages sent via platform, support requests.
• Cookies & Tracking: analytics, performance and functional cookies to improve the service.

3. How We Use Your Data

• To provide and improve the Platform (authentication, profile display, course progress, matchmaking).
• To process payments via integrated gateways (Paystack, Flutterwave, Stripe, PayPal) and manage payouts.
• To communicate important updates, transactional messages, and support responses.
• To run analytics, personalise content and recommendations, and detect abuse or fraud.
• To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.

4. Sharing & Third Parties

We may share your data with trusted third parties only as necessary: payment processors, cloud hosting providers, analytics services, and legal advisors. Tutors’ public profile information (name, photo, expertise, hourly rate) will be visible to students; sensitive data is never public.

5. Cookies & Tracking

The Platform uses cookies for essential functionality and analytics. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser or any cookie banner we provide.

6. Data Retention & Deletion

We retain personal data to fulfill the purposes described unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. You may request account deletion — contact privacy@study-pals.com. Certain transactional records (e.g., payments) may be retained for tax and legal compliance.

7. Your Rights

• Access, rectification or deletion of personal data.
• Restriction or objection to processing in limited circumstances.
• Request export of your data (data portability).
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

8. Children

StudyPal is not directed at children under 13 (or the applicable age in your jurisdiction). If a parent or guardian believes a child’s data has been collected without consent, please contact us.

9. Contact for Privacy

For privacy requests, email: privacy@study-pals.com.

Terms & Conditions (Terms of Use)

1. Acceptance

By using StudyPal you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

2. Accounts & Eligibility

You must register with accurate information. Tutors and Evaluators must meet verification requirements. We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations.

3. Services & Fees

• Subscriptions: Premium subscription is billed monthly/annually as displayed. Other platform packages may be one-off as shown on pricing pages.
• One-off Services: Expert Evaluator, AI Evaluator, and Recommended Essay are one-off purchases and expire after delivery.
• Tutor Marketplace: Tutor sessions are sold at the tutor’s hourly rate; StudyPal may charge platform fees. Tutors receive payouts according to platform policy.

4. Payments & Refunds

Payments are processed by third-party gateways. StudyPal operates a strict no-refunds policy once a service, subscription, or evaluation has been delivered or activated. Refunds are not issued after access to a paid feature has been granted or after tutoring/evaluation has commenced. Users should review all services carefully before making payment. If there is a technical issue with your transaction, contact support@studypal.com for resolution.

5. Code of Conduct

• Users must behave respectfully; no harassment, hate speech, or discrimination.
• Tutors and Evaluators must provide genuine, professional services and not solicit private transactions off-platform.
• Failure to comply may result in warnings, suspension, or removal.

6. Intellectual Property

Content provided by StudyPal (UI, branding, original materials) is owned by StudyPal. Tutors retain ownership of their original materials but grant StudyPal a license to display them on the platform.

7. Limitation of Liability

StudyPal provides educational tools and does not guarantee exam results. To the extent permitted by law, StudyPal’s liability is limited to direct damages up to the amount paid for the relevant service.

8. Termination

We may suspend or terminate access for breach of these Terms. Users may terminate their account by following account deletion procedures; certain records may be retained for legal reasons.

9. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Insert Governing Jurisdiction, e.g., "Federal Republic of Nigeria"]. Disputes should first be raised with support@studypal.com; unresolved disputes may proceed to mediation or court as per local law.

10. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms and Privacy Policy. We will notify registered users of material changes and post the revised terms on the site with an updated effective date.

11. Contact & Notices

For legal notices or support, contact:
StudyPal Ed-Tech Solutions
EH11 3NG 127/8 Stenhouse Drive, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Email: legal@study-pals.com • Privacy: privacy@study-pals.com