Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Smartare ("we", "us", "our") operates the website smartare.info, an educational platform providing trading knowledge resources. We are committed to protecting your personal data and processing it in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Irish data protection law.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and what rights you have.

2. Data Controller

The data controller for smartare.info is Smartare, Ireland. For data protection enquiries, contact us at: privacy@smartare.info

3. What Data We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal data:

• Registration data: Name, email address, phone number, county of residence
• Usage data: Pages visited, time spent on lessons, progress through curriculum
• Communication data: Messages you send us via the contact form
• Technical data: IP address, browser type, device type, referring URL (via cookies and analytics)
• Marketing preferences: Whether you have opted in to receive educational newsletters

4. Legal Basis for Processing

• Contract performance: Processing necessary to provide you with the educational service you've registered for
• Legitimate interests: Analysing usage to improve our educational content and platform
• Consent: For optional marketing communications and non-essential cookies
• Legal obligation: Where we are required by law to retain or share data

5. How We Use Your Data

• To create and manage your educational account
• To deliver the educational content and services you have requested
• To send you account-related communications (e.g. login details, password resets)
• To send educational newsletters if you have opted in
• To improve our platform through anonymised analytics
• To respond to your enquiries

6. Cookies

We use cookies to operate our website. These include essential cookies (required for the site to function), analytics cookies (to understand usage patterns), and optional preference cookies. You can manage your cookie preferences using the consent banner displayed on your first visit, or by adjusting your browser settings. See our Cookie Policy for full details.

7. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We may share data with:

• Service providers who help us operate the platform (e.g. email service providers, hosting companies) — under appropriate data processing agreements
• Regulatory or law enforcement authorities if required by law

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. Account data is deleted within 30 days of an account closure request. Analytics data is retained in anonymised form indefinitely.

9. Your Rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Rectify inaccurate personal data
• Erase your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances
• Data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@smartare.info. We will respond within 30 days. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission of Ireland (dataprotection.ie).

10. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. These include encrypted data storage, access controls, and regular security reviews.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email to registered users or via a notice on our website. The date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision.

12. Contact

For any privacy-related questions or requests: privacy@smartare.info