1. Introduction

Home-Based Learning Pte Ltd (referred to as "the Platform," "we," or "us") values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Platform, in compliance with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and other applicable laws.

2. Scope of this Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our Platform, including parents, students, and tutors. By accessing or using our services, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

3. Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data to provide and improve our services:

3.1 Parents:
Full name
Preferred username
Email address
Phone number
Password

3.2 Students:

Name
Username
Email address
Mobile number
Date of birth
School name
Education level

3.3 Tutors:

Full name
Preferred username
Email address
Mobile number
Password
Date of birth
Gender
Nationality
Years of experience
Teaching language
Mother tongue
Qualification certificates and other academic credentials (uploaded as soft copies)

4. Purpose of Data Collection

We collect and use personal data for the following purposes:

4.1 Service Provision:

To create and manage user accounts.

To facilitate communication between parents, students, and tutors.

To schedule and conduct tutoring sessions.

4.2 Payment Processing:

To process payments and manage user wallets.

To issue refunds where applicable.

4.3 Communication:

To send session reminders, feedback reports, and essential notifications.

To deliver promotional emails, SMS updates, and other relevant marketing communications (subject to user consent).

4.4 Platform Improvement:

To analyze usage data for service enhancement.

To monitor tutor performance and session quality.

4.5 Compliance:

To comply with legal obligations, such as fraud prevention and user verification.

To enforce our Terms and Conditions.

5. Cookies and Analytics

We use cookies and tracking technologies to:

Ensure the Platform functions properly.

Enhance user experience by remembering preferences.

Provide personalized content and recommendations.

Analyze platform usage for continuous improvement.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, but please note that doing so may affect Platform functionality.

6. Data Sharing with Third Parties

We share user data with third-party service providers only as necessary to perform specific functions. These include:

6.1 GIPHY

Purpose: To allow users to search and share GIFs.

Data Shared: Search queries and interaction data.

6.2 HitPay

Purpose: To process payments securely.

Data Shared: Payment details (e.g., credit card information) and billing information.

6.3 Agora

Purpose: To facilitate real-time communication during tutoring sessions.

Data Shared: Session metadata and live audio/video streams (processed in real-time, not stored).

6.4 Twilio

Purpose: To enable SMS notifications and in-app messaging.

Data Shared: Phone numbers and message content.

6.5 AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Purpose: To host and store platform data securely.

Data Shared: User account data, session logs, and backups.

All third-party providers comply with applicable data protection laws and contractual agreements to ensure the confidentiality and security of your data.

7. User Rights

Under Singapore’s PDPA, you have the following rights:

7.1 Access and Correction:

You may request access to your personal data held by us.

You may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.

7.2 Withdrawal of Consent:

You may withdraw your consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your data by contacting us. Please note that withdrawal may affect your ability to use certain services.

7.3 Data Portability:

Subject to applicable laws, you may request a copy of your personal data in a portable format.

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@hbl.com.sg.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. Upon request, we will delete or anonymize your data unless retention is legally mandated.

9. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse, including:

Encryption during data transmission.

Secure storage on AWS servers.

Regular audits and security assessments.

10. Dispute Resolution

If you have concerns about the handling of your personal data, please contact us at support@hbl.com.sg. We will make every effort to address your concerns promptly and fairly.

11. Updates to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Significant updates will be communicated to users via email or the Platform. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Email: support@hbl.com.sg

Address: Home-Based Learning Pte Ltd, Singapore

This Privacy Policy is effective as of 1st January 2025.