1. Information We Collect

A. Personal Data You Provide Directly

We collect personal information you voluntarily provide when interacting with our website:

• Identity Data: Full name, username, or display name
• Contact Data: Email address, phone number, or mailing address (submitted via contact forms)
• Account Data: Username and hashed password (if you register an account)
• Communication Data: Messages, comments, questions, or feedback you submit to us
• Subscription Data: Email address provided for newsletter or tutorial update sign-ups

B. Data Collected Automatically

When you visit vstschool.com, our systems and third-party analytics tools automatically collect the following technical data:

• Device & Browser Data: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution, device type
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, links clicked, scroll depth, referral URLs
• Network Data: IP address (anonymized where possible), ISP, approximate city/country location
• Cookie Data: Identifiers stored in cookies and local storage (see Section 3 for details)

C. Sensitive Data

We do not intentionally collect sensitive categories of personal data such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, health information, biometric data, or financial account details through our website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We process your personal data only when we have a lawful basis to do so. The purposes and legal bases are:

We will never use your personal data for purposes materially different from those listed above without first notifying you and, where required, obtaining your consent.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device by your browser — as well as related technologies such as web beacons and pixel tags. These tools allow us and our third-party partners to recognize your browser, remember preferences, and collect usage statistics.

Types of Cookies We Use

Managing and Disabling Cookies

You can control how cookies are set through your browser settings. Most modern browsers allow you to:

• Block all cookies or only third-party cookies
• Receive an alert before a cookie is stored
• Delete existing cookies from your browser storage
• Browse in private/incognito mode to limit cookie retention

Please note that blocking certain cookies may affect website functionality and your ability to use some features. Refer to your browser’s help section for detailed instructions on cookie management.

4. Google AdSense & Personalized Advertising

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google AdSense is a third-party advertising service operated by Google LLC. This section explains how Google uses cookies and data to serve you personalized ads, and how you can opt out.

How Google AdSense Uses Cookies

Your Advertising Choices — How to Opt Out

Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Our website does not currently alter its data collection practices in response to browser “Do Not Track” signals, as there is no industry-standard interpretation of such signals. However, you may use the opt-out links above to control personalized advertising independently of DNT signals.

5. Third-Party Service Providers

We engage trusted third-party companies and individuals to facilitate our website and services. These providers are authorized to process your data only as necessary to perform their services and are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality and security of your information.

Each third party operates under its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before interacting with their services through our website.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your data only in the following limited circumstances:

• With Service Providers: As described in Section 5, to operate the website and deliver services
• Legal Compliance: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Protection of Rights: To enforce our legal rights, prevent fraud, or protect user safety
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred. You will be notified in advance.
• Aggregated Data: Non-identifiable, aggregated statistics may be shared publicly or with partners for research or business reporting

7. Your Data Protection Rights

GDPR Rights (EU & UK Residents)

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right of Access (Art. 15): Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification (Art. 16): Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure — “Right to Be Forgotten” (Art. 17): Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing (Art. 18): Ask us to limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability (Art. 20): Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to Object (Art. 21): Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing
• Right to Withdraw Consent (Art. 7): Withdraw any consent you have previously given at any time

CCPA Rights (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you the following rights:

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information we have collected
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell personal data)
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Limit Sensitive Data Use: Limit our use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights

How to Exercise Your Rights

We will respond within 30 days (or within the timeframe required by applicable law). We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request to protect your data from unauthorized access. If we are unable to resolve your concern, you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

8. User Consent Mechanisms

Where we rely on your consent as the legal basis for processing your personal data, we will obtain that consent through clear and affirmative actions, such as:

• Cookie Consent Banner: Displayed on your first visit, allowing you to accept or decline non-essential cookies including advertising cookies
• Newsletter Opt-In: A checked-off subscription form where you actively provide your email and agree to receive communications
• Contact Form Acknowledgment: A notice on our contact form explaining how your submitted data will be used

You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us or by using your browser settings to manage cookies. Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before withdrawal.

9. Data Retention Policy

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Our standard retention periods are:

When your data is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it. You may request early deletion of your data at any time (subject to legal retention obligations) by contacting us at virtual.software.technology@gmail.com.

10. Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Our website and its content are not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or process personal information from anyone under 13 years of age. Our programming tutorials on .NET, Angular, and SQL Server are designed for adult learners and professional developers.

For users aged 13–17, we apply additional privacy protections and recommend parental supervision. We limit the collection of data from minors to only what is strictly necessary.

11. Data Security Measures

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

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers
• Secure server infrastructure with access controls and firewalls
• Regular security patches and software updates
• Minimal data access on a need-to-know basis for authorized personnel only
• Confidentiality agreements with all third-party service providers

12. External Links

Our website may contain hyperlinks to external websites, including our YouTube channel and referenced programming resources. This Privacy Policy applies solely to vstschool.com. When you follow a link to an external site:

• You leave the protection of this Privacy Policy
• The external site’s own privacy policy governs data collection
• We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites
• We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any external site you visit

The presence of an external link on our website does not constitute an endorsement of the linked site or its privacy practices.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our data practices, technology, or applicable law. When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page.

For material changes that significantly affect how we process your personal data, we will:

• Send a notification email to subscribed users (where an email address is on file)
• Display a prominent notice on our website home page
• Request renewed consent where required by applicable law

Your continued use of our website after a revised Privacy Policy has been posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms, unless we are required to obtain explicit consent by law.

14. Contact Us — Privacy Inquiries

For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy, your personal data, or your privacy rights, please contact us using the details below. We take all privacy inquiries seriously and aim to respond promptly and transparently.

Supervisory Authority Complaints

If we are unable to resolve your privacy concern to your satisfaction, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority in your jurisdiction:

• EU/EEA Residents: Your national Data Protection Authority
• UK Residents: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) — ico.org.uk
• California Residents: California Attorney General’s Office