LinkEdu ("LinkEdu.AI," "we," "us," or "our"), a company incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, is committed to protecting the privacy of students, universities, and all visitors who use our platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you access or use the LinkEdu.AI platform (the "Platform"), which includes the LinkEdu.AI website (linkedu.ai), all associated web and mobile applications, APIs, AI-powered tools, and related services.
This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms of Service, AI Use Policy, and Cookie Policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Data
When you create an account or use the Platform, we may collect:
- Full name, email address, and password (hashed)
- User role selection (Student, University, or Agency)
- Profile photo or avatar
- Organization name, type, and contact details (for institutional accounts)
1.2 Academic and Profile Data
Students may provide academic information, including:
- GPA, test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE), field of study, degree level
- Preferred countries, budget information, career goals
- Extracurricular activities and interests
1.3 Uploaded Documents
Users may upload documents such as transcripts, CVs, recommendation letters, language test scores, and personal statements. These files are stored securely and accessible only to authorized parties.
1.4 Messages and Communications
We store messages sent between users through the Platform's messaging system, including direct messages and group posts, to enable communication features.
1.5 AI Interaction Data
When you use AI-powered features (such as the AI Advisor, Admission Chances Analyzer, or Visa Helper), we collect the queries you submit and the responses generated. This data is used to provide and improve the services.
1.6 Usage and Technical Data
We automatically collect technical information, including IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and interaction patterns. This data helps us maintain, secure, and improve the Platform.
1.7 Payment Information
For paid subscriptions, payment information (such as credit card details) is collected and processed by our third-party payment processor, Stripe. We do not store your full payment card details on our servers.
2. How We Use Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain the Platform and its features
- Create and manage your account
- Deliver AI-powered insights, recommendations, and analyses
- Facilitate communication between students, universities, and agencies
- Process subscription payments and manage billing
- Send transactional emails (account verification, password resets, status updates)
- Send optional marketing communications and digest reports (with your consent or as permitted by law)
- Generate anonymized analytics for institutional subscribers
- Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats
- Comply with legal obligations
- Improve the Platform through research and development
3. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information with:
3.1 Service Providers
We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Platform:
- Supabase: Database hosting, authentication, and real-time services
- MongoDB: Document database for analysis history and community features
- Stripe: Payment processing for subscriptions and add-ons
- OpenAI: AI language model processing for intelligent features
- Resend: Transactional and marketing email delivery
These providers are contractually obligated to use your data only for the purposes of providing their services and to maintain appropriate security measures.
3.2 Institutional Users
If you are a student who has opted in to "Open to Study Abroad" visibility, universities may see limited profile information for recruitment purposes. You control this setting in your profile. We only share the minimum data necessary for recruitment matching, and institutional users are contractually prohibited from using your data for purposes outside of the Platform.
3.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, legal process, or government request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect rights, safety, or property.
4. AI Processing Disclosure
When you use AI features, your input data (such as academic profiles, questions, and preferences) is sent to our AI processing pipeline, which may include third-party AI providers (currently OpenAI). This processing occurs to generate personalized insights and recommendations. AI inputs and outputs may be retained for service improvement, but are not used to train third-party AI models. We do not sell AI interaction data to any third party.
AI-generated outputs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as professional advice or guaranteed outcomes. Outputs may vary between sessions and are not guaranteed to be consistent, complete, or free from error.
For more details about how AI features operate, please see our AI Use Policy.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Platform's services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable timeframe, except where we are required to retain it for legal, accounting, or compliance purposes.
AI interaction data and analysis history are retained according to your account settings and may be deleted by you at any time through the Platform interface.
6. Data Security
We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit (TLS), secure authentication mechanisms, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.
7. International Data Transfers
The Platform is operated from the United States. If you are accessing the Platform from outside the United States, your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using the Platform, you consent to this transfer. We take steps to ensure that your data receives an adequate level of protection in accordance with applicable law.
8. Your Rights
8.1 Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)
If you are a Virginia resident, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate personal data
- Delete your personal data
- Obtain a portable copy of your personal data
- Opt out of targeted advertising (we do not currently engage in targeted advertising)
8.2 California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used, the right to request deletion, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights. We do not sell personal information as defined under the CCPA.
8.3 Rights for International Users (GDPR-Style)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or other jurisdictions with comprehensive data protection laws, you may have additional rights, including the right to restrict processing, object to processing, and lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Contact us at privacy@linkedu.ai to exercise these rights.
9. Children's Privacy
The Platform is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child under 16 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that data promptly.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date and, where appropriate, provide additional notice through the Platform or email. Your continued use of the Platform following any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, contact us at:
- Company: LinkEdu
- Email: privacy@linkedu.ai
- Platform: LinkEdu.AI
- Jurisdiction: Commonwealth of Virginia, United States