Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to skillforceup.org, Canada's premier destination for elite gaming coaching services. This Privacy Policy describes how GameMaster Academy ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our website, mobile applications, and coaching services.

This policy applies to all users of our services, including visitors to our website, students enrolled in coaching programs, and anyone who interacts with our platform. By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.

Effective Date: This Privacy Policy is effective as of January 15, 2025, and was last updated on this date. We encourage you to review this policy regularly as we may update it from time to time.

Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our coaching services. The information we collect includes:

Personal Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth, and account credentials
• Profile Information: Gaming usernames, skill levels, preferred games, coaching goals, and performance metrics
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Communication Data: Messages sent through our platform, coaching session recordings, and support inquiries
• Survey and Feedback Data: Responses to surveys, feedback forms, and coaching evaluations

Information We Collect Automatically

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and hardware specifications
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, click-through rates, and navigation patterns
• Gaming Performance Data: In-game statistics, match results, improvement metrics, and session recordings
• Technical Information: Log files, error reports, and diagnostic data to improve our services

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from gaming platforms, social media accounts you connect to our service, and our coaching partners to enhance your experience and provide comprehensive training analysis.

How We Use Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

Service Provision

• Matching you with appropriate coaches based on your skill level and goals
• Scheduling coaching sessions and managing your training calendar
• Providing personalized coaching recommendations and improvement plans
• Processing payments and managing your subscription or session bookings
• Delivering customer support and responding to your inquiries

Service Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance our platform and coaching methodologies
• Conducting research to develop new training programs and features
• Monitoring service performance and identifying technical issues
• Generating analytics and insights to improve user experience

Communication

• Sending service-related notifications and updates about your coaching sessions
• Providing important announcements about policy changes or service updates
• Delivering marketing communications about new programs and features (with your consent)
• Sending educational content and coaching tips relevant to your interests

Legal and Safety Purposes

• Complying with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Protecting our rights, property, and the safety of our users and coaches
• Investigating and preventing fraudulent or inappropriate activities
• Enforcing our terms of service and community guidelines

Legal Bases for Processing

Under Canadian privacy laws and applicable international regulations, we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:

Contractual Necessity

Processing is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations to provide coaching services, process payments, and deliver the training programs you've enrolled in.

Legitimate Interests

We process information for our legitimate business interests, including service improvement, fraud prevention, network security, and providing customer support, while ensuring these interests don't override your privacy rights.

Legal Compliance

We process information to comply with legal obligations, respond to legal requests, and protect the rights and safety of our users and business operations.

Sharing & Disclosure

We share your information only in specific circumstances and with appropriate safeguards:

Service Providers

• Payment Processors: Secure payment handling through PCI-compliant providers
• Cloud Hosting Services: Data storage and platform hosting with enterprise-grade security
• Communication Tools: Video conferencing and messaging platforms for coaching sessions
• Analytics Providers: Website and application performance monitoring

Business Partners

• Certified Coaches: Sharing relevant student information to provide personalized coaching
• Gaming Platform Integrations: Connecting with gaming services to enhance training analysis
• Educational Partners: Collaborating with esports organizations and training facilities

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of our users, employees, or the public. This includes cooperation with law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity, with continued protection under this privacy policy or a comparable policy.

Your Control: You have choices about information sharing. You can opt out of certain sharing arrangements, though this may limit some features of our services.

Data Retention

We retain your information for different periods based on the type of data and our business needs:

Account Information

We retain your account information for as long as your account remains active, plus an additional 7 years after account closure for legal compliance and business record-keeping purposes.

Coaching Session Data

• Session Recordings: Retained for 2 years to support ongoing coaching development and quality assurance
• Performance Metrics: Retained for 5 years to track long-term progress and provide historical analysis
• Communication Logs: Retained for 3 years for customer support and service improvement

Payment Information

Payment records are retained for 7 years in accordance with Canadian tax and financial regulations. Card details are not stored on our systems but are handled by PCI-compliant payment processors.

Marketing Data

Marketing communications preferences and related data are retained until you opt out, plus an additional 3 years to honor your preferences and comply with anti-spam regulations.

Security Measures

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information:

Technical Safeguards

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit using TLS 1.3 and at rest using AES-256 encryption
• Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls for all staff
• Network Security: Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security monitoring
• Secure Infrastructure: Cloud services with SOC 2 Type II certification and regular security audits

Organizational Safeguards

• Staff Training: Regular privacy and security training for all employees and contractors
• Data Handling Policies: Strict internal policies governing data access, use, and sharing
• Background Checks: Security screening for personnel with access to personal information
• Incident Response: Comprehensive breach response procedures and notification protocols

Ongoing Security

We conduct regular security assessments, penetration testing, and vulnerability scans to maintain the highest level of protection. Our security practices are reviewed and updated regularly to address emerging threats.

Important Note: While we implement industry-leading security measures, no system is completely immune to security risks. We encourage you to use strong, unique passwords and be cautious when sharing account information.

Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our platform. For detailed information about our cookie practices, please review our comprehensive Cookie Policy.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality and security
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and personalize your experience
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign effectiveness

Your Cookie Choices

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent banner. Blocking certain cookies may impact your ability to use some features of our services.

Third-Party Tracking

We work with trusted analytics providers and marketing partners who may use tracking technologies. These partners are bound by their own privacy policies and our data processing agreements.

Your Rights & Choices

You have significant control over your personal information and how we use it:

Access and Portability

• Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Account Dashboard: View and download much of your information directly from your account

Correction and Updates

• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Profile Management: Update your coaching preferences and goals at any time
• Contact Information: Keep your contact details current for important service notifications

Deletion and Restriction

• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your information in certain circumstances
• Account Deletion: Close your account and request removal of associated data

Communication Preferences

• Marketing Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from promotional emails and communications
• Notification Settings: Control which service notifications you receive
• Communication Channels: Choose your preferred methods of contact

International Transfers

As a Canadian company serving customers globally, we may transfer your personal information across international borders under the following safeguards:

Transfer Mechanisms

• Adequacy Decisions: Transfers to countries deemed adequate by Canadian privacy authorities
• Standard Contractual Clauses: Using approved contractual protections for transfers to other countries
• Certification Programs: Working with providers certified under recognized privacy frameworks

Service Providers

Some of our service providers, including cloud hosting and analytics providers, may process your information in the United States and other countries. We ensure these providers maintain appropriate security measures and comply with applicable privacy laws.

Your Data Protection

Regardless of where your information is processed, it remains subject to the protections outlined in this Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws. We conduct due diligence on international partners to ensure adequate protection standards.

Children's Privacy

We take special care to protect the privacy of young users:

Age Requirements

Our services are designed for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.

Parental Involvement

• Users 13-17: We encourage parental involvement in coaching decisions and may require parental consent for certain features
• Account Management: Parents can request access to or deletion of their child's account information
• Communication: We may communicate directly with parents regarding their child's coaching progress and safety

Special Protections

• Limited Data Collection: We collect only information necessary for coaching services from young users
• Enhanced Security: Additional security measures for accounts belonging to minors
• Safe Environment: Strict community guidelines and monitoring to ensure a safe learning environment

Parental Rights: Parents have the right to review, modify, or delete their child's personal information and can contact us at any time with questions or concerns about their child's privacy.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or service offerings:

Notification Process

• Material Changes: We will notify you by email and prominent website notice at least 30 days before material changes take effect
• Minor Updates: Technical or administrative changes will be posted on our website with an updated "Last Modified" date
• Your Consent: Continued use of our services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

Review and Updates

We review this Privacy Policy annually to ensure it remains current and comprehensive. We also update it in response to regulatory changes, new service features, or feedback from our users.

Version History

Previous versions of this Privacy Policy are available upon request. We maintain records of significant changes to help you understand how our privacy practices have evolved.

Contact Information

Additional Resources

For more information about privacy rights in Canada, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

• Website: www.priv.gc.ca
• Phone: 1-800-282-1376
• Email: info@priv.gc.ca

We are committed to working with you to address any privacy concerns and will cooperate fully with privacy authorities to resolve any complaints that cannot be resolved directly.