Last Updated: March 6, 2025

1. Introduction #

Welcome to our eLearning platform for Swiss tax and finance education (“Platform”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Platform, register for an account, purchase or sell courses, participate in the community forum, or otherwise engage with our services.

This Privacy Policy complies with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP), the revised FADP (revFADP), and the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable.

2. Data Controller #

For applicable data protection laws, the data controller of your personal information is:

• Business Legal Address: Com. Barza, Str. Teilor, Nr.51, Olt, Romania
• Address of residence and place of business: Hauptstrasse 30, 4127, Birsfeleden
• Canton of residence: Basel-Landschaft
• Country of residence: Switzerland
• Business Legal Name: SEBI-MAR USG S.R.L.
• CIF: 47187550
• VAT EU NUMBER: RO50958841
• REG. COM: J28/1234/2022
• CAEN CODE: 4791
• Email: sebastian.utoiu@swisstaxinstitute.ch
• Phone number: RO( + 40 766 877 423 )
• Administrator: Sebastian-Georgian UTOIU

3. Information We Collect #

3.1 Information You Provide to Us #

When you register, purchase courses, create content as an instructor, or participate in our community, we collect:

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, profile picture, professional background, and contact details.
• Payment Information: Credit card details, bank account information, billing address, and payment history. Note that actual payment processing is handled by our secure third-party payment processors.
• Course Content: If you are an instructor, we collect the educational materials, courses, eBooks, templates, and other content you create and upload.
• Community Contributions: Posts, comments, questions, and other content you share in our community forums.
• Communication Data: Information contained in your communications with us and other users through various channels including email, support tickets, or community discussions.

3.2 Information We Collect Automatically #

When you visit our Platform, we automatically collect:

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform, and device information.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use our Platform, including which pages you visit, the time spent on each page, which courses you view or purchase, your learning progress, quiz results, and community engagement.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Information collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy section below.

4. How We Use Your Information #

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

4.1 Provision of Services #

• To create and manage your account
• To provide access to purchased courses and educational materials
• To process payments and manage revenue sharing with instructors
• To facilitate communication between students and instructors
• To maintain our community forums and enable participation

4.2 Improvement and Development #

• To analyze usage patterns and improve our Platform’s functionality
• To develop new features, courses, and services
• To troubleshoot technical issues
• To customize your learning experience

4.3 Communication #

• To send administrative messages about your account or purchases
• To provide customer support
• To send marketing communications (with your consent)
• To notify you about Platform updates or new courses relevant to your interests

4.4 Legal Compliance and Protection #

• To comply with legal obligations
• To enforce our Terms of Service
• To detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized access, and other harmful activity
• To protect our legal rights and interests

5. Legal Basis for Processing #

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

• Contract Performance: Processing necessary for the performance of our contract with you (e.g., account registration, course delivery, payment processing).
• Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate interests, such as improving our Platform, marketing our services, preventing fraud, and ensuring network security.
• Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with our legal obligations under Swiss law and, where applicable, EU law.
• Consent: Where we rely on your consent for processing (e.g., for certain marketing communications or cookie usage), you have the right to withdraw this consent at any time.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure #

We may share your information with:

6.1 Service Providers #

We share your information with third-party service providers who help us operate our Platform, process payments, host our data, and provide customer support. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the services they provide to us and are prohibited from using your information for their purposes.

6.2 Instructors #

If you enroll in a course, we share your name, email address, and course progress with the instructor. Instructors are contractually obligated to respect your privacy and use your information only for course-related purposes.

6.3 Other Users #

Information you choose to share in public areas of our Platform (such as community forums, instructor profiles, or course reviews) will be visible to other users. Please be mindful of the information you share in these public spaces.

6.4 Legal Requirements #

We may disclose your information if required by law, such as in response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process, or to comply with government reporting obligations.

6.5 Business Transfers #

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

7. International Data Transfers #

Our Platform is operated in Switzerland. However, some of our service providers may be located in other countries. When we transfer your personal data outside Switzerland or the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with Swiss and EU data protection laws, such as standard contractual clauses, adequacy decisions, or other legally recognized mechanisms.

8. Data Retention #

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The criteria used to determine our retention periods include:

• The duration of your account with us
• The length of time needed to provide our services to you
• Legal obligations that require us to retain data for specific periods
• Statute of limitations under applicable law

9. Your Data Protection Rights #

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Right to Erasure: You have the right to request the deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information based on our legitimate interests and for direct marketing purposes.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process your personal information, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [YOUR DATA PROTECTION EMAIL]. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

10. Data Security #

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, accidental loss, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security measures include:

• Encryption of sensitive data
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication procedures
• Staff training on data protection
• Secure network architecture

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

11. Cookie Policy #

11.1 What Are Cookies #

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit our Platform. They help us recognize your device and remember certain information about your visit, such as your preferences and actions.

11.2 Types of Cookies We Use #

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the functioning of our Platform, such as session cookies for authentication and security.
• Functional Cookies: Enhance your experience by remembering your preferences and settings.
• Analytical Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Platform by collecting anonymous information.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to track visitors across websites to enable us to display relevant advertisements.

11.3 Cookie Management #

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• Delete existing cookies
• Block cookies from being placed
• Be notified when you receive a cookie

Please note that refusing or deleting cookies may impact your experience on our Platform, and some features may not function properly.

12. Children’s Privacy #

The Swiss Tax Institute is committed to protecting the privacy of children and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We take the privacy and safety of children very seriously and have implemented strict measures to safeguard their data.

12.1 Age Restrictions #

Our platform is not intended for use by children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children under this age without verifiable parental or guardian consent. If you are under 16, please refrain from using our platform, registering for an account, or providing any personal information.

12.2 Parental and Guardian Consent #

If we become aware that a child under the age of 16 has provided us with personal information without parental or guardian consent, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our systems. Parents or guardians who believe that their child has submitted personal data to us without their consent can contact us directly at contact@swisstaxinstitute.ch

12.3 Types of Data Collected #

We do not knowingly collect the following types of personal information from children under 16:

• Name, address, or contact details (e.g., email, phone number)
• Payment or financial information
• Location data
• Any other personally identifiable information

If any such data is inadvertently collected, it will be removed promptly upon discovery.

12.4 Educational Content Access #

While our platform offers educational resources, courses, and guides that may be of interest to younger audiences, all users under the age of 16 must access content under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or authorized adult. Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their children’s use of online resources and ensure compliance with our age restrictions.

12.5 Third-Party Services #

Our platform may integrate third-party services for analytics, payment processing, or course delivery. We ensure that all third-party services comply with relevant privacy laws and do not knowingly collect or process data from children under the age of 16. However, we recommend that parents and guardians review the privacy policies of these third-party providers for additional assurance.

12.6 Cookies and Tracking #

We do not knowingly use cookies or tracking technologies to collect information from children. All cookie usage on our platform is designed to comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Parents or guardians can manage cookie preferences via their browser settings or by contacting us for assistance.

12.7 Rights of Parents and Guardians #

Parents and guardians have the following rights concerning their child’s data:

• Access: Request access to any data collected from their child.
• Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request the deletion of any data collected from their child.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw previously provided consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us. We will respond to such requests promptly and in compliance with applicable laws.

12.8 Educational Institutions and Organizations #

If an educational institution or organization uses our platform on behalf of students under the age of 16, it is the institution’s responsibility to obtain necessary parental or guardian consent and ensure compliance with applicable laws. We do not assume liability for the actions of such institutions or organizations.

12.9 Policy Updates #

We reserve the right to update this Children’s Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legal requirements, our practices, or the services we offer. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this policy periodically for updates. Any significant changes will be communicated clearly on our platform and, where appropriate, directly to registered users.

12.1.1 Contact Information #

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our Children’s Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights as a parent or guardian, please contact us at:

• Email: [Insert Email Address]
• Phone: [Insert Phone Number]
• Mailing Address: [Insert Mailing Address]

We are dedicated to addressing any concerns promptly and ensuring the privacy and safety of all users, particularly children.

13. Third-Party Links and Services #

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites, plugins, and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit.

14. Specific Provisions for Instructors #

If you are an instructor on our Platform:

• We collect additional information related to your professional qualifications, tax expertise, and payment details for revenue sharing.
• We use this information to verify your credentials, process payments, and market your courses.
• You are responsible for ensuring that any personal data of students that you access is handled by this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
• You must not use student data for any purpose other than providing the purchased educational content and related support.

15. Specific Provisions for Different Language Versions #

Our Platform offers content in English, German, French, and Italian. While the core privacy practices remain consistent across all language versions, there may be minor variations to comply with specific linguistic and regional legal requirements. In case of any discrepancy between different language versions of this Privacy Policy, the English version shall prevail.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy #

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time in response to changing legal, technical, or business developments. When we update our Privacy Policy, we will take appropriate measures to inform you, consistent with the significance of the changes we make. We will obtain your consent to any material Privacy Policy changes if and where required by applicable data protection laws.

You can see when this Privacy Policy was last updated by checking the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page.

17. Contact Us #

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

• Email: support@swisstaxinstitute.ch
• Email: contact@swisstaxinstitute.ch

18. Supervisory Authority #

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern, you have the right to complain with the relevant data protection authority:

Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) Feldeggweg 1 3003 Bern Switzerland https://www.edoeb.admin.ch