Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Defedambis Culinary Academy ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website defedambis.media (the "Site") or engage with our services.

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our website, including visitors, students, and customers of our culinary education services. By accessing or using our Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Site.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when you contact us, register for classes, or subscribe to our newsletter
• Class Registration: Information necessary for class enrollment, including dietary restrictions, allergies, and emergency contact information
• Payment Information: Billing address and payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Communications: Messages, feedback, and other communications you send to us
• Survey Responses: Information provided in surveys, feedback forms, or testimonials

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Site, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and usage, including:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and mobile device information
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, and other browsing behavior
• Location Information: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, such as:

• Social media platforms when you interact with our social media content
• Analytics providers and advertising networks
• Payment processors for transaction verification

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

3.1 Service Provision

• Processing class registrations and managing your enrollment
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries
• Processing payments and preventing fraud
• Sending important notices about your classes or account

3.2 Communication

• Sending newsletters and promotional materials (with your consent)
• Providing updates about new classes and events
• Responding to your questions and requests
• Sending administrative messages and service announcements

3.3 Improvement and Analytics

• Analyzing website usage to improve our services and user experience
• Conducting research and surveys to enhance our offerings
• Developing new classes and educational content
• Personalizing content and recommendations

3.4 Legal and Safety

• Complying with legal obligations and regulations
• Protecting our rights and property
• Ensuring safety during cooking classes
• Preventing and investigating fraud or abuse

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

4.1 Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following types of cookies and similar technologies:

4.2 Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You can control and manage cookies in several ways:

• Cookie Banner: Use our cookie banner to accept all cookies, accept only necessary cookies, or customize your preferences
• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or accept cookies and to delete cookies that have already been set
• Opt-out Tools: Use industry opt-out tools for advertising cookies
• Cookie Policy: Visit our Cookie Policy for detailed information about the cookies we use

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including:

• Payment processors for handling transactions
• Email service providers for sending newsletters and communications
• Analytics providers for website performance analysis
• Cloud storage providers for data hosting
• Customer support platforms

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Legal process, such as a court order or subpoena
• Government or regulatory requests
• Requests from law enforcement agencies
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety, or that of others

5.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

5.4 Consent

We may share your information with your explicit consent or at your direction.

6. Data Security

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

• Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Updates: Security systems and software are regularly updated
• Staff Training: Regular privacy and security training for employees
• Secure Hosting: Use of reputable, secure hosting providers
• Payment Security: PCI DSS compliant payment processing

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter
• Class Records: Maintained for educational and safety purposes as required by law
• Communications: Customer service communications retained for quality assurance and training
• Marketing Data: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Legal Requirements: Some information may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations

When we no longer need your information, we securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

8. Your Privacy Rights

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

8.1 General Rights

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances
• Portability: Request a copy of your information in a structured, machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to our processing of your information for certain purposes
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances

8.2 Canadian Privacy Rights

Under Canadian privacy legislation (PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws), you have additional rights including:

• The right to withdraw consent for non-essential processing
• The right to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner
• The right to know what personal information we have collected and how it's being used

8.3 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 12. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

For cooking classes involving minors (ages 13-18), we require parental consent and may collect limited information necessary for safety and educational purposes, including:

• Emergency contact information
• Dietary restrictions and allergies
• Medical conditions relevant to cooking activities
• Parental consent forms

10. International Data Transfers

We are based in Canada, and your information is processed primarily within Canada. However, some of our service providers may be located in other countries, including the United States. When we transfer your information outside of Canada, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent privacy protection
• Standard contractual clauses approved by privacy authorities
• Binding corporate rules for transfers within corporate groups
• Your explicit consent for the transfer

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy
• Post the revised Privacy Policy on our website
• Notify you of material changes via email or website notice
• Obtain your consent for changes that materially affect how we use your information

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about our privacy practices.

12. Contact Information

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

We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible, typically within 30 days of receipt.

13. Privacy Commissioner Complaint

If you believe we have not addressed your privacy concerns adequately, you have the right to file a complaint with the appropriate privacy authority: