Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for courses or workshops
• Submit contact forms or inquiries
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Create an account on our website
• Participate in surveys or feedback sessions
• Attend events or networking sessions

This information may include:

• Full name and contact information (email, phone, address)
• Educational and professional background
• Course preferences and learning goals
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party providers)
• Portfolio submissions and creative work
• Communication preferences

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information:

• IP address and browser information
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Device information and screen resolution
• Referring website information
• Geographic location (city and country level)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

Educational Services

• Providing course materials and instruction
• Tracking academic progress and providing feedback
• Facilitating communication between students and instructors
• Organizing workshops, events, and networking opportunities
• Issuing certificates and credentials

Communication and Marketing

• Sending course updates and important announcements
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries
• Sharing newsletters and educational content (with consent)
• Promoting relevant courses and events
• Conducting surveys to improve our services

Administrative Purposes

• Processing payments and managing accounts
• Maintaining accurate enrollment records
• Ensuring compliance with educational regulations
• Analyzing website usage to improve user experience
• Protecting against fraud and security threats

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Creative Trails does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and delivering educational services. These providers include:

• Payment processing companies
• Email marketing platforms
• Learning management systems
• Website hosting and analytics services
• Customer support platforms

All service providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it solely for the purposes we specify.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Creative Trails, our students, or others.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, personal information may be transferred as part of the business transaction, subject to the same privacy protections outlined in this policy.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience:

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics cookies to understand how visitors interact with our website, helping us improve content and user experience. You can opt out of these cookies through your browser settings.

Marketing Cookies

With your consent, we may use cookies to deliver personalized content and relevant advertisements. You can withdraw consent at any time through our cookie preferences center.

You can control cookie settings through your web browser. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

5. Data Security and Protection

Creative Trails implements comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information:

• Encrypted data transmission using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure server infrastructure with regular security updates
• Access controls limiting employee access to personal information
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• Incident response procedures for potential data breaches
• Employee training on privacy and data protection practices

While we strive to protect your information, no internet transmission is completely secure. We encourage you to take precautions when sharing personal information online.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for different periods depending on the purpose:

• Student Records: Maintained for 7 years after course completion for credential verification
• Marketing Communications: Until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
• Website Analytics: Anonymized data retained for 2 years
• Financial Records: Maintained for 7 years as required by Canadian law
• Customer Support: Retained for 3 years for service improvement

After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize personal information.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Under Canadian privacy law, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

You can request access to your personal information and request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete.

Withdrawal of Consent

You can withdraw consent for non-essential purposes, such as marketing communications, at any time.

Data Portability

You can request a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format.

Complaint Process

If you believe we have mishandled your personal information, you can file a complaint with us or with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@creative-trails.com or +1 (604) 927-6542.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for individuals 16 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental consent. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

Creative Trails is based in Canada, and your personal information is processed and stored within Canada. Some of our service providers may be located in other countries with adequate privacy protections. Any international transfers comply with applicable privacy laws and include appropriate safeguards.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:

• Post the updated policy on our website
• Update the "Last Modified" date
• Notify you by email or website notice for material changes
• Obtain new consent where required by law

We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

This privacy policy is governed by Canadian federal and provincial privacy laws. By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.