At Barefoot Student we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, BarefootStudent.com (the "Site"), or use our services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information about you in the following ways:

a. Information You Provide to Us

• Account Information: When you create an account, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, billing information, and other details you provide, such as your resume, educational background, or job preferences.
• User Content: Information you submit through job applications, postings, messages, or other interactions, such as cover letters, portfolios, or feedback.
• Communications: If you contact us via email, phone, or through our Site (e.g., support forms), we collect the information you provide.

b. Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: We collect information about your interactions with the Site, such as pages visited, time spent, search queries, and clicks.
• Device and Log Data: We collect details about your device, including IP address, browser type, operating system, and unique device identifiers.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content. You can manage your cookie preferences through our Cookie Consent Tool or your browser settings.

c. Information from Third Parties

• Social Media and Authentication Services: If you log in using third-party services (e.g., Google or LinkedIn), we may receive information such as your name, email, or profile details, subject to your settings with those services.
• Employers and Partners: We may receive information about you from employers, recruiters, or other partners when you apply for jobs or engage with their services through our platform.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide, operate, and improve our Services, including matching students with job opportunities.
• Process transactions and manage your account.
• Communicate with you, including sending job alerts, updates, promotional materials, or responding to inquiries.
• Personalize your experience, such as recommending jobs or content based on your profile and preferences.
• Analyze usage trends and improve the functionality and security of our Site.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.
• Prevent fraud, abuse, or other harmful activities.

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With Employers and Recruiters: When you apply for a job or post your profile, we share relevant information (e.g., resume, contact details) with the employer or recruiter, as necessary to facilitate the application process.
• Service Providers: We engage third-party vendors to perform services such as hosting, payment processing, analytics, and marketing. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.
• Business Transfers: If we undergo a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction, subject to confidentiality obligations.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes, or to respond to valid governmental requests.
• With Your Consent: We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

4. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations).
• Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications or the sale or sharing of your personal information (if applicable).
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we process your information (available under certain laws, such as GDPR).
• Object: Object to certain types of processing, such as for direct marketing.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at business@barefootstudent.com. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (e.g., 30 days for GDPR, 45 days for CCPA). We may require verification of your identity before processing your request.

Managing Communications

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the email or updating your preferences in your account settings. You may still receive transactional or service-related communications.

Cookies

You can control cookies through our Cookie Consent Tool or your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Services.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Services, fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, or comply with legal obligations. For example:

• Account information is retained until you delete your account or request deletion, after which we may retain certain data for legal or operational purposes (e.g., fraud prevention).
• Usage data is typically retained for a limited period (e.g., 12 months) for analytics purposes, unless required for longer by law.

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. These include encryption, access controls, and secure servers. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

7. International Data Transfers

BarefootStudent.com operates globally, and your information may be transferred to, stored, or processed in countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable laws, such as by using Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for GDPR compliance or relying on adequacy decisions where available.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., employer websites, payment processors). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

10. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to Know: You can request details about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, use, disclose, or sell/share.
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do not "sell" personal information as defined by the CCPA, but we may share data for cross-context behavioral advertising. You can opt out of such sharing by contacting us.
• Right to Correct: You can request correction of inaccurate information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

To exercise these rights, contact us. You may also designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf, subject to verification.

Shine the Light Law

Under California’s “Shine the Light” law, you may request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, contact us.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on our Site and updating the “Last Updated” date at the top. For significant changes, we may also notify you via email or through a prominent notice on the Site. Your continued use of our Services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

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

For GDPR purposes, our Data Protection Officer can be reached at the above email address.