Information We Collect

We only collect what we actually need to provide our language education services. Nothing more. Here's what that includes:

When You Register or Inquire

• Your name and contact details (email, phone number)
• Basic background about your current English level and learning goals
• Preferred learning schedule and format preferences
• Payment information when you enroll (processed through secure third-party systems)

During Your Learning Journey

• Progress tracking data from lessons and exercises
• Assignment submissions and vocabulary practice results
• Communication between you and instructors
• Attendance records and participation notes

Technical Information

When you use our website, we collect standard technical data like your IP address, browser type, and pages visited. This helps us keep the site running smoothly and understand which resources people find most helpful.

How We Use Your Information

Everything we collect serves a specific purpose related to your education. We're not in the business of selling data or sending spam.

Who We Share Information With

Most of your data stays right here with us. But there are a few situations where we need to share limited information:

• Payment processors handle transaction details when you pay tuition. They have their own security measures and privacy policies.
• Technology providers who host our website and learning management system. They're bound by contracts to keep your data secure.
• Government authorities in Laos, if required by law or for educational licensing purposes.
• Professional consultants like accountants or legal advisors who need access to records for legitimate business purposes. They're all under confidentiality obligations.

That's it. We don't have partnerships with marketing companies or data brokers. Your information isn't floating around in places it shouldn't be.

Your Rights and Choices

This is your information. You have real control over it, not just in theory but in practice.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at contact@bridge-channel.com with your request. We'll respond within one week to confirm we received it and tell you what happens next.

How We Protect Your Information

Security isn't just a checkbox for us. We take practical steps to keep your data safe:

• All data transmitted to and from our website is encrypted using current SSL/TLS standards
• Our servers are located in secure facilities with restricted physical access
• Staff members can only access the information they need to do their jobs
• We regularly update our systems and monitor for potential security issues
• Payment information is never stored on our servers (it goes directly to payment processors)
• We conduct regular backups, stored securely and separately from live systems

No system is completely foolproof, but we're committed to maintaining strong protections. If we ever discover a security breach that affects your data, we'll notify you promptly with details about what happened and what steps we're taking.

Data Retention

We don't keep information longer than necessary. Here's our typical retention schedule:

• Active student records: Maintained throughout your enrollment and for two years after your final class
• Financial records: Kept for seven years to comply with Laos tax regulations
• Marketing communications data: Removed within 90 days if you opt out or don't engage
• Website analytics: Aggregated and anonymized after 24 months
• Inquiry forms from non-students: Deleted after six months of no further contact

After these periods, we securely delete or anonymize the information. If you want your data removed sooner, just ask. We'll accommodate your request except where we're legally obligated to retain certain records.

Cookies and Website Technology

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. These are small files that help the site function properly and improve your experience.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential cookies: Required for basic site functionality like navigation and secure areas. These can't be disabled without breaking the site.
• Performance cookies: Help us understand which pages are most popular and how visitors move around the site. The data is anonymous.
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences like language settings or forms you've filled out.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Keep in mind that disabling certain cookies might limit what you can do on our site. Most browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change that setting if you prefer.

Third-Party Services

We occasionally link to external websites or use third-party tools to enhance our services. When you click those links or use those services, you're subject to their privacy policies, not ours.

We try to work with reputable providers, but we can't control what they do with your information once you leave our site. Before providing personal data to any third party, take a moment to review their privacy practices.

Children's Privacy

Some of our students are under 18. When minors enroll, we require parental consent and handle their information with extra care.

Parents or guardians can access, review, and request deletion of their child's information at any time. We encourage families to discuss online privacy together. If you believe we've inadvertently collected information from a minor without proper consent, contact us immediately so we can address the situation.

International Data Considerations

Our primary operations are in Laos, where your data is stored and processed. Some of our technology providers may store backup data on servers in other countries. When this happens, we ensure those providers maintain appropriate security standards.

Laos data protection regulations are evolving. We monitor legal developments and adjust our practices accordingly to maintain compliance with both local and international standards.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws change. Our services evolve. Sometimes we need to update this policy to reflect those changes.

When we make significant updates, we'll notify current students by email and post a notice on our website. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page shows when we made the most recent changes. We encourage you to review this policy periodically, especially if it's been a while since you last checked.

If changes significantly affect how we handle your information, we'll ask for your renewed consent where required by law.

Questions and Concerns

Privacy policies can be dense. If anything here is unclear or you have specific questions about how we handle your information, we want to hear from you.

You can also file a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Laos if you believe we've mishandled your personal information. We hope it doesn't come to that, but the option exists if you need it.