Last updated: May 31, 2025
At WizScholar.xyz (“we,” “our,” or “us”), your privacy and data security are fundamental to our mission of providing scholarship information, education news, and insurance guidance. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect the personal information you provide when visiting or using our website (https://wizscholar.xyz) and any related services (collectively, the “Services”). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal and non-personal information about you when you interact with our Services. The categories of information we gather include:
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
Account Registration: If you create a user account (e.g., to save scholarship searches or subscribe to newsletters), we collect your name, email address, and a password (securely hashed).
Newsletter & Email Subscriptions: To send you periodic updates about scholarships, news, and insurance tips, we ask for your email address, first name, and (optionally) your country of residence.
Comments & Forum Posts: If you post comments under articles or participate in discussion forums, the text of your comment, your username (which may be pseudonymous), and timestamp are recorded.
Contact Forms & Support Requests: When you reach out via our “Contact Us” or “Get Involved” forms, we collect the information you provide (e.g., name, email, subject, message).
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
Device & Browser Data: When you visit the site, our servers automatically record certain information, including your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device manufacturer/model, and unique device identifier (where available).
Usage Data: We collect data about your interactions with the Services—pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on each page, search queries, scroll depth, and overall session length.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, clear GIFs (web beacons), pixel tags, and similar technologies to track usage patterns. Cookies may store a user ID, preferences (e.g., language or display choices), and session identifiers—helping us improve site functionality and user experience.
1.3 Third-Party Information
Social Media Logins: If you choose to log in via third-party platforms (e.g., Google, Facebook), we may receive basic profile information (e.g., name, email address, profile picture URL) from that provider—but only with your explicit consent.
Analytics Providers: We use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to compile aggregated usage reports. These services may drop cookies on your browser to collect anonymized data about your site activities.
Advertising Partners & Affiliates: If you click on affiliate links (e.g., insurance providers or scholarship boards), the partner may collect information regarding your click-through and any subsequent transactions—subject to their own privacy policies.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the data described above for the following purposes:
2.1 Core Services & Functionality
Account Management: To authenticate your login credentials, maintain your preference settings, and administer your user profile.
Newsletter & Notifications: To deliver educational newsletters, scholarship alerts, breaking news updates, and insurance advisories—for which you have opted in.
Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries, process your feedback, and resolve technical or billing issues.
2.2 Content Personalization & Improvements
Tailored Recommendations: We may analyze your browsing history, search terms, and saved preferences to suggest scholarships, news articles, or insurance plans that match your interests.
A/B Testing & Feature Development: Usage data helps us test different site layouts, navigation structures, or feature sets, allowing us to refine the user experience.
2.3 Analytics & Performance Monitoring
Site Analytics: To understand how visitors find and use our Services, we generate aggregate statistics (e.g., total visitors per month, most-viewed pages, bounce rates) via third-party analytics tools.
Error Reporting & Security Monitoring: Automatically-collected logs help us detect, diagnose, and fix bugs, downtime incidents, or suspicious activities (e.g., repeated failed login attempts).
2.4 Legal Compliance & Safety
Legal Obligations: If required by law or legal process (e.g., search warrant, subpoena), we may disclose information to law enforcement or regulators.
Protecting Rights & Property: We may use or disclose your information to protect our intellectual property, enforce our Terms of Service, or investigate potential wrongdoing (e.g., fraudulent scholarship listings or spam content).
2.5 Marketing & Promotional Communications
Sponsored Content & Partnerships: From time to time, we may inform you about sponsored scholarships, educational webinars, or insurance products—always clearly labeled as “Sponsored” or “Promotional.”
Opt-Out Option: You can opt out of any marketing or promotional emails at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in the email footer or updating your preferences in your user account.
3. Cookies, Web Beacons & Other Tracking Technologies
3.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by your web browser that store certain information, such as a unique identifier, site preferences, or session tokens.
3.2 Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary): Required for core site functionality—such as keeping you logged in during a session or maintaining your language preference. Without these, the site may not function properly.
Performance & Analytics Cookies: Collect anonymized data about how visitors interact with the site (e.g., which pages are visited most, error pages). We use Google Analytics (through anonymized IP tracking) to compile these metrics.
Functional Cookies: Remember your selections (e.g., toggling between list or grid view for scholarships) to improve your experience on subsequent visits.
Advertising & Tracking Cookies: Occasionally, third-party partners (such as affiliate networks or social media platforms) may place cookies to personalize ads or track conversions. We do not control these cookies and encourage you to review the respective partners’ privacy policies.
3.3 Managing Cookies
Browser Controls: Most web browsers allow you to disable or delete cookies via the settings menu. However, turning off cookies may limit certain features (e.g., saved preferences, automatic login).
Opt-Out Tools: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On.
4. How We Share & Disclose Information
We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal data. However, we may share certain information under the following circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers & Contractors
We may share personal information with trusted third parties who perform services on our behalf, including:
Hosting & Infrastructure: Cloud hosting providers (e.g., AWS, DigitalOcean) that store our website, databases, and backups.
Email Delivery & Marketing: Platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, SendGrid) used to send newsletters, account notifications, or password reset emails.
Analytics & Performance Tools: Google Analytics, Hotjar, or similar services that help us optimize site performance and user experience.
Customer Support & Helpdesk Services: Platforms (e.g., Zendesk or Freshdesk) used to manage and respond to your support tickets.
These third-party service providers are contractually obligated to use your data only to fulfill their services for us and not for any other purpose.
4.2 Affiliates & Partners
Affiliate Scholarship & Insurance Providers: If you click on an affiliate link (e.g., to an insurance carrier’s website) or apply for a scholarship via a third-party board, we may share limited information (such as your email address or click-through data) with that partner—only if you opt in or explicitly request an introduction.
Joint Marketing Initiatives: Occasionally, we partner with universities, NGOs, or educational foundations to co-sponsor scholarships or events. In those cases, we will disclose any data that you explicitly consent to share (e.g., for scholarship eligibility verification).
4.3 Legal Requirements & Safety
We may disclose personal data if required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request. We also reserve the right to disclose your information if we believe it is necessary to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding suspected illegal activity, violating our Terms of Service, or as otherwise required by law to protect the rights, property, or safety of WizScholar.xyz, our users, or the public.
4.4 Business Transactions
In the event WizScholar.xyz merges with or is acquired by another company, personal information may be transferred to the successor entity. We will notify you via email and/or a notice on our website of any change in ownership or control of your personal data.
5. Your Rights & Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have specific rights regarding the personal data we hold about you. Below is a summary of common rights and how to exercise them:
5.1 Access & Copy
You can request a copy of the personal information we have collected about you (sometimes called a “data subject access request”). Please send your request to privacy@wizscholar.xyz. We will respond within 30 days, as required by applicable law.
5.2 Correct & Update
If any of your information is inaccurate or incomplete (e.g., outdated email address or name), you can update your profile directly via your account settings. Alternatively, email privacy@wizscholar.xyz with the details, and we will correct it promptly.
5.3 Delete & Erasure (“Right to Be Forgotten”)
You may request that we delete your personal data from our systems (subject to exceptions required by law). To initiate this request, email privacy@wizscholar.xyz. We will retain only the minimum data necessary to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax or audit records) and will inform you if such retention is required.
5.4 Restrict or Object to Processing
Where data processing is based on legitimate interests (e.g., analytics or personalized content suggestions), you may object to that processing. To do so, email privacy@wizscholar.xyz with a clear statement of your objection. We will evaluate and respond within 30 days.
5.5 Opt-Out of Marketing Communications
If you want to stop receiving newsletters or promotional emails, click “Unsubscribe” at the bottom of any marketing email or adjust your email preferences in your account settings. Please allow up to 10 days for your preferences to take effect.
5.6 Data Portability
Where applicable, you have the right to receive a machine-readable copy of your personal data (e.g., account profile information, subscription details). Submit a request to privacy@wizscholar.xyz, and we will provide your data—where feasible—in a common format (e.g., CSV or JSON).
6. Children’s Privacy
Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from anyone under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected personal data from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@wizscholar.xyz, and we will promptly delete that information.
For users between 13 and 17 years of age, parental or guardian consent is required to register an account or provide any personal data. If you are a parent or guardian and learn that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us so we can delete the information and close the account.
7. Data Security & Retention
7.1 Security Measures
We implement a variety of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal data:
Encryption in Transit: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using TLS (HTTPS).
Encryption at Rest: Sensitive data (such as passwords) are stored in hashed/encrypted form (e.g., bcrypt for passwords).
Access Controls: Only authorized personnel with a legitimate “need to know” can access personally identifiable information. Staff are trained on data protection best practices.
Regular Security Audits: We engage third-party security auditors to conduct periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration tests of our infrastructure.
Incident Response Plan: In the event of a data breach, we have a documented incident response process to promptly contain, mitigate, and notify affected users and authorities, as required by law.
7.2 Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law:
Account Data: We retain registration information (name, email) until you request account deletion or we are legally obligated to do so.
Usage Logs & Analytics: Aggregate and anonymized analytics data may be retained indefinitely to track site performance trends; any logs containing pseudonymized user identifiers are purged after 24 months.
Newsletter Preferences: We keep subscription and unsubscription records for as long as necessary for compliance with anti-spam regulations (e.g., CAN-SPAM, GDPR).
Legal Obligations: Certain data (e.g., billing information, contractual records, tax-relevant details) may be retained for a minimum of 7 years, in accordance with financial and tax laws.
8. Third-Party Links & Embedded Content
Our website may include links to external websites (e.g., scholarship providers, insurance carriers, partner organizations) or embedded content (e.g., YouTube videos, social media widgets). This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party website you visit. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites or services.
9. International Data Transfers
WizScholar.xyz is based in Accra, Ghana, and serves a global audience. If you access our Services from outside Ghana (including the European Union, United Kingdom, or United States), you acknowledge and consent to the transfer, processing, and storage of your information in Ghana or any other country where our servers or service providers are located. We will take steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place (e.g., standard contractual clauses, binding corporate rules) when transferring personal data across borders, in compliance with applicable data protection laws.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes (for example, new data collection practices or substantially different uses of your data), we will:
Post the revised Privacy Policy on our website with an updated “Last updated” date.
Send a notification email to all registered users (if the changes significantly affect your rights or the way we use your data), at least 30 days before the effective date of the new policy.
Provide a clear summary of the changes, so you can review and, if necessary, opt out of certain processing activities.
Your continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using our Services and/or request deletion of your information as described in Section 5.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Privacy Officer:
General Inquiries: info@wizscholar.xyz
Technical Support: support@wizscholar.xyz
Scholarship Listings Help: scholarships@wizscholar.xyz
Insurance Guidance Help: insurance@wizscholar.xyz
We strive to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with a relevant data protection authority (e.g., Data Protection Commission of Ghana, European Data Protection Board).
12. Additional Disclosures
12.1 GDPR & UK Data Protection Rights
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the United Kingdom, you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act (DPA), including:
The right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object to processing, and data portability (see Section 5).
The right to withdraw consent at any time when processing is based on consent.
The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
12.2 California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Rights
If you are a resident of California, you have additional rights under the CCPA, including:
The right to know the categories of personal information collected, used, disclosed, or sold.
The right to request deletion of personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
The right to opt out of the “sale” of personal information. (We do not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA, but if our practices change in the future, we will provide a clear opt-out mechanism.)
The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.
To exercise your CCPA rights, please email privacy@wizscholar.xyz with “CCPA Request” in the subject line. We may require additional information to verify your identity prior to fulfilling your request.
12.3 Other Regional Laws
Depending on your location, you may have additional rights (e.g., Australia’s Privacy Act, Canada’s PIPEDA, Brazil’s LGPD). Where required by applicable law, we will comply with those regional requirements.
Thank you for trusting WizScholar.xyz with your personal information. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy while helping you access scholarships, stay informed about education news, and make sound insurance decisions. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at privacy@wizscholar.xyz.
0 Comments