Your Privacy Matters to Us
CIES Overseas Education is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our services.
Introduction
CIES Overseas Education ("CIES", "we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.
We comply with the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 under the Information Technology Act, 2000 of India, and other applicable privacy laws.
By using our website or services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services to you:
Personal Information You Provide
- Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
- Academic Information: Educational background, transcripts, test scores (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.), and academic records.
- Identification Information: Passport details, date of birth, nationality, and government-issued ID documents.
- Financial Information: Bank details, income information, and payment information for our services.
- Visa & Immigration Information: Visa history, travel history, and documents required for visa applications.
- Communication Records: Records of your communications with us via email, phone, WhatsApp, or in-person meetings.
Automatically Collected Information
- Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, including pages visited, time spent, and navigation patterns.
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type, and screen resolution.
- Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on your IP address.
🔒 Sensitive Personal Information: We only collect sensitive personal information (such as passport details, financial information, and identification documents) when absolutely necessary for visa applications, university admissions, or other services you request. We treat all such information with the highest level of security and confidentiality.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
- Service Delivery: To provide our study abroad counselling, visa services, IELTS coaching, and other educational services.
- University Applications: To prepare and submit university admission applications on your behalf.
- Visa Applications: To prepare and submit visa applications on your behalf to various embassies and consulates.
- Communication: To respond to your inquiries, send important updates, and provide customer support.
- Marketing: To send you information about our services, events, and relevant opportunities (you can opt out at any time).
- Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our website, services, and user experience.
- Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, regulatory requirements, and prevent fraud.
✅ Lawful Basis: We process your information based on your consent, contractual necessity, legal obligations, and legitimate interests.
3. Information Sharing
We respect your privacy and do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:
- With Your Consent: We share information with universities, embassies, and other third parties as necessary to provide services you request.
- Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business (e.g., payment processors, IT services, document verification).
- Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the business transaction.
📌 Important: We only share the minimum information necessary to provide the services you request. All third parties we work with are bound by confidentiality obligations and data protection agreements.
4. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction:
- Encryption: We use SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our website.
- Access Control: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel who need it to perform their job functions.
- Physical Security: Our physical premises are secured to prevent unauthorized access to documents and systems.
- Regular Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Employee Training: All employees receive training on data protection and privacy best practices.
- Data Minimization: We collect only the information necessary for the intended purpose.
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.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or as required by law:
- Active Clients: We retain your information for the duration of your engagement with our services.
- Inactive Clients: We may retain your information for up to 7 years after the completion of our services to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Financial Records: Financial records may be retained for up to 8 years as required by Indian tax laws.
- Marketing Data: We retain marketing data until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
When your information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.
6. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and regulatory requirements.
- Right to Restriction: You can request restriction of processing of your information.
- Right to Data Portability: You can request transfer of your information to another service provider.
- Right to Object: You can object to the processing of your information for marketing purposes.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent for us to process your information at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in the Contact Us section below.
📋 Response Time: We respond to all privacy requests within 30 days of receipt. If your request is complex or requires additional time, we will notify you of the extension.
7. Cookies & Tracking
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website:
Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for the basic functionality of our website (e.g., session management, security). These cannot be disabled.
- Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Google Analytics).
- Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and provide enhanced features.
- Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign effectiveness.
Third-Party Tracking
We use the following third-party tracking tools:
- Google Analytics: To analyze website traffic and user behavior. Learn more
- Google Ads: For advertising and remarketing purposes. Learn more
- Facebook Pixel: For social media advertising and audience measurement. Learn more
You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
🍪 Cookie Consent: When you first visit our website, we request your consent to use non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by adjusting your browser settings.
8. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including university websites, visa portals, and other external resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites.
We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are directed to individuals who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.
👶 Age Restriction: We do not provide services to individuals under 18 years of age without parental consent. If you are under 18, please do not submit any personal information to us.
10. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or regulatory obligations. We will post the updated policy on this page with the "Last Updated" date at the top.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
If we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you through our website or via email.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
F-702, D Block, Pocket D,
Sector 18, Noida, UP 201301
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
📧 Data Protection Officer: For privacy-specific inquiries, you can reach our Data Protection Officer at info@cies.org.in with the subject line "Privacy Inquiry."
Have Questions About Your Privacy?
We're here to help. Contact us anytime for any privacy-related questions or concerns.
Wave Silver Tower, Sector 18, Noida · info@cies.org.in · Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
