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Privacy Policy

SOSTAC® > Privacy Policy

In our attempt to keep pace with all the new regulations regarding data privacy, including the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe, we have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective August 6, 2023.

1. Introduction

SOSTAC.org is a certification portal that allows users to obtain SOSTAC® certifications including: SOSTAC® Associates, SOSTAC® Certified Planners and SOSTAC® Certified Companies.

We are committed to protecting the data you share with us. This policy applies to both users of sostac.org and to SOSTAC® account holders. This privacy policy governs our data collection, processing and usage practices and aims to explain how we process the information provided to us and that can be used to directly or indirectly identify an individual (“Personal Data”) collected through use of its website and platform.

For the purpose of this policy, we use the word “User” to refer to anyone visiting or using the site. “Members” refers to people who have registered on the site through the registration forms that are available.

We follow appropriate technical and security measures to protect personal data against unauthorized or processing and use, and against theft or disclosure.

2. Data Collection

A. Website Users

If you are a user and not a member, then this section is for you. An HTTP cookie, or simply known as cookie, is a small piece of file sent from a website and stored in the user’s web browser while the user is browsing. Every time the user loads the website, the browser sends the cookie back to the server to notify the user’s previous activity. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently and also to provide information on visitor behaviour to the website owner. This website uses cookies. By using this site, you agree with our use of cookies as set out in this Policy.

  • WordPress session cookie
    When you navigate to the site, the server establishes a unique session for you that lasts for the duration of your visit. WordPress session cookie maintains session state for each site visitor but it doesn’t contain any personal information.
  • Google Analytics cookie
    We use Google Analytics to collect statistical data about our visitors. We collect this information in a way that does not identify you and the data is not shared with anybody else.

This site uses social sharing buttons including but not limited to Twitter and Facebook. Social sharing buttons allow you to easily share content from sostac.org with your network via these social networking sites.

These processes are directly handled by these websites and SOSTAC® accepts no responsibility for any use of your personally identifiable information and/or any further use of cookies by those social network providers.

For website visitors, we collect data like IP Address, number of visitors, geo-location data, time spent on the site, session activities and pageviews.

As a user of the site, you may have also used the forms such as our contact form or when you sign up for our newsletter subscription form to communicate with us. We may collect and process any Personal Data that you volunteer to us in our website’s forms.

B. Members

For members, we collect data like First and Last names, email address, mobile/phone number, type of certification, country, date and time of registration, and IP address.

3. How We Use Your Data

For website users, we use the data we collect to improve on our website and analyze how users navigate the site. For users who used the contact form, we use your data to communicate with you via admin@sostac.org.

For members, we will keep your the details we collected during registration so that we can inform you of (1) new SOSTAC(r) products as and when they are created and (2) SOSTAC(r) events – which might be of interest to you. We will of course delete you from our database once you request it by emailing us at admin@sostac.org with simply the word ‘Stop’ in the subject line.

We will not disclose your details to third-parties, and you will be entitled to opt-out of receiving a chosen communication at any time by contacting us via the messaging board.

4. Storage of Data

We acknowledge that your privacy is important to you. The information you submit will be kept confidential and will be stored safely in our servers.

We have taken appropriate measures to ensure we have mitigated against risks such as loss or unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure of data. We also use hypertext transfer protocol secure, commonly known as HTTPS, in order to keep your information and other data secure.

All data collected by sostac.org through the website will be stored exclusively in secure hosting facilities provided by Namecheap.

5. Inquiries/Sign Up

This portal will use details submitted by you to enable us to contact you regarding our certification programmes that may be of interest to you.

You will have the opportunity to opt out of these communications at any time if you wish. Your details will not be disclosed to third parties unless you specifically opt-in to these communications. You may choose not to receive our communications by contacting us using the contact us form

6. Links to Other Sites

Please be aware that while visiting our site, Users and Members can follow links to other sites. Sostac.org is not responsible for the content or privacy policy of these other sites.

7. Processing of Data

We have obtained hosting service from Namecheap and our contract with them ensures that all hosting is performed in accordance with the highest security regulations. Namecheap data centres are located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

8. Acceptance

Website users and members, by continuing to use the site, must have carefully read through this policy and have agreed to its contents. We reserve the right to change our privacy policy as necessity dictates.

9. Paypal and Credit Cards

We use a third party service, Stripe and Paypal, to facilitate and process online transactions when users register for our online certification.

We do not store your Credit Card, Stripe or Paypal details nor do we share any financial details with any third party.

Your use of Stripe and Paypal is governed by Paypal’s Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy. Should you require further information regarding this policy, please contact us at admin@sostac.org.

Payments are in GBP (£) and can also be made via direct transfer to our bank account

10. Enquiries on our Privacy Policy

Should you have questions regarding our policy and data protection please feel free to contact us:

SOSTAC® Administrator – admin@sostac.org