Privacy Policy
CIQHR™ Privacy Policy
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: July 07, 2023
We use essential cookies to operate our Website. With your permission, we also use analytics and advertising technologies to help us understand Website usage, improve our services, and measure the effectiveness of our communications. You can manage your preferences at any time, where available.

1. Introduction
Welcome to CIQHR™.
This Privacy Policy explains how QOLD Business & People Development Inc., operating under the trade names CIQHR™ (Center for International Qualifications in Human Resources), LHRC™, and related educational programs (collectively referred to as "CIQHR," "we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, discloses, stores, protects, and otherwise processes personal information through our websites, learning platforms, online services, educational programs, memberships, coaching services, events, communications, and related activities (collectively, the "Services").
We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws that apply to our operations. Depending on your location, different privacy laws may apply to your information. This Privacy Policy is intended to provide transparency regarding our privacy practices and should not be interpreted as a representation that any particular privacy law applies in every circumstance.
By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that your personal information may be processed as described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Who We Are
The Services are provided by:
QOLD Business & People Development Inc.
Operating under the trade names:
• CIQHR™
• Center for International Qualifications in Human Resources
• LHRC™
• Lead HR Consultancy™
• Lead HR Coaching™
• Lead HR Co-ordination™
• and other affiliated educational brands operated by the Company.
Throughout this Privacy Policy, these entities are collectively referred to as "CIQHR."

3. Scope of this Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through:
• our websites;
• online learning platforms;
• training programs;
• coaching sessions;
• memberships;
• registration forms;
• payment pages;
• customer support;
• newsletters;
• surveys;
• webinars;
• downloadable educational resources;
• online communities operated by us;
• email communications;
• mobile-compatible services;
• marketing campaigns;
• social media interactions where applicable;
• other Services made available by CIQHR.
This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites, platforms, applications, or services that are operated independently from CIQHR, even where they are linked from our Website. Your interactions with those third parties are governed by their own privacy policies and terms.

4. Personal Information We Collect
Depending on the Services you use, we may collect different categories of personal information.
Identity Information
This may include:
• full name;
• preferred name;
• username;
• participant identification number;
• certificate number;
• organization name;
• professional title;
• country of residence;
• language preferences.

Contact Information
This may include:
• email address;
• telephone number;
• mailing address;
• billing address;
• business address.

Registration Information
When registering for a program or event, we may collect information such as:
• selected training program;
• registration details;
• eligibility information;
• recommended experience information;
• learning preferences;
• communication preferences.

Account Information
If you create an account, we may collect:
• login credentials (stored in encrypted or otherwise protected form where applicable);
• password reset requests;
• account settings;
• authentication records;
• account activity.

Educational Information
Where applicable, we may collect information relating to your participation in educational activities, including:
• courses enrolled in;
• learning progress;
• completion status;
• certificates issued;
• quiz or assessment results;
• coaching attendance;
• webinar participation;
• continuing education records maintained by us.
These records are collected for educational administration and program delivery purposes.

Payment Information
Payments may be processed by third-party payment providers.
Depending upon the payment method selected, payment providers may collect:
• billing information;
• transaction identifiers;
• payment confirmations;
• limited payment-related information shared with us.
CIQHR does not intentionally store complete payment card numbers unless expressly stated and operationally necessary.

Technical Information
When you use our Services, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
• IP address;
• browser type;
• operating system;
• device type;
• approximate geographic location derived from IP;
• language settings;
• referral URLs;
• pages visited;
• session duration;
• timestamps;
• error logs;
• security logs.

Communication Information
We may retain communications exchanged with us, including:
• emails;
• customer support requests;
• chat messages;
• survey responses;
• feedback;
• inquiries;
• webinar questions.

Marketing Information
Where permitted by applicable law, we may maintain records relating to:
• newsletter subscriptions;
• marketing preferences;
• promotional campaign participation;
• event registrations;
• communication preferences.
Participants may withdraw consent for promotional communications where applicable.

5. Information Collected Automatically
When you access our Website or Services, certain information may be collected automatically through technologies such as:
• cookies;
• browser storage;
• analytics tools;
• server logs;
• security monitoring systems;
• similar technologies.
Automatically collected information may include:
• browser characteristics;
• operating system;
• pages viewed;
• navigation paths;
• referring websites;
• clicks;
• session activity;
• approximate location derived from IP;
• device identifiers where applicable.
Some information is collected to:
• maintain security;
• improve website performance;
• diagnose technical problems;
• understand usage trends;
• improve educational services.
Additional information regarding cookies and similar technologies is available in our Cookie Policy.

6. Information You Voluntarily Provide
You may voluntarily provide information when you:
• register for training;
• purchase educational services;
• request support;
• participate in coaching;
• submit assignments;
• attend webinars;
• participate in surveys;
• request certificates;
• subscribe to newsletters;
• complete forms;
• communicate with us;
• participate in optional directories or community features.
You are responsible for ensuring that information you voluntarily submit is accurate and that you have the authority to provide such information.

7. Sensitive Information
Our Services are generally not intended to collect sensitive personal information unless reasonably necessary for a specific educational, administrative, or legal purpose.
Participants are requested not to submit sensitive personal information unless specifically requested by the Company.
Where sensitive information is voluntarily provided, it will be processed only as reasonably necessary for the applicable purpose and in accordance with applicable law.
8. How We Use Personal Information
We may collect, use, disclose, and otherwise process personal information for legitimate business, educational, contractual, legal, security, and operational purposes, including to:
• create and manage user accounts;
• provide access to educational programs, memberships, coaching sessions, webinars, and related services;
• process registrations and payments;
• deliver purchased products and services;
• communicate with participants regarding registrations, accounts, learning activities, certificates, technical support, and customer service;
• administer educational records and program participation;
• respond to inquiries and support requests;
• improve the Website, Services, and educational offerings;
• personalize user experiences where appropriate;
• monitor platform performance and security;
• detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, unauthorized access, or other unlawful activities;
• comply with legal obligations and enforce our agreements;
• conduct internal reporting, analytics, quality assurance, and business administration;
• send marketing communications where permitted by applicable law and in accordance with users' communication preferences.
We process personal information only for purposes that are reasonably related to the operation and administration of our Services or as otherwise permitted or required by applicable law.

9. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Information
Depending on the applicable law and the nature of the processing activity, we may process personal information based on one or more of the following grounds:
• your consent;
• performance of a contract or steps taken before entering into a contract;
• compliance with applicable legal obligations;
• our legitimate business interests, provided such interests are not overridden by applicable legal rights and freedoms;
• other lawful bases recognized under applicable privacy legislation.
Where consent is required by law, you may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal, contractual, or operational limitations.
Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing already lawfully carried out before withdrawal.

10. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our Website may use cookies and similar technologies to support the operation, security, performance, and improvement of our Services.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites recognize your browser or remember certain information.
Depending on your interactions with our Website, we may use:
Essential Cookies
These cookies help the Website function properly and may be necessary for:
• account authentication;
• security;
• fraud prevention;
• session management;
• website functionality.
These cookies are generally required for core Website operation.

Functional Cookies
These cookies may remember:
• language preferences;
• display settings;
• accessibility preferences;
• user selections;
• login preferences where applicable.

Analytics Cookies
We may use analytics technologies to better understand how visitors interact with our Website, including information such as:
• pages visited;
• time spent on pages;
• navigation paths;
• device types;
• browser information;
• approximate geographic region;
• referral sources;
• general Website usage trends.
Analytics information helps us improve Website performance and educational services.

Advertising and Marketing Technologies
Where applicable, we may use marketing technologies that help us understand the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and improve communications with prospective participants.
These technologies may support:
• audience measurement;
• advertising performance analysis;
• campaign optimization;
• conversion measurement;
• remarketing activities where permitted by applicable law.
Marketing technologies may be provided by third-party service providers.
Where required by applicable law, non-essential cookies or similar technologies will be activated only after obtaining the appropriate consent.
Additional information is available through our Cookie Policy.

11. Analytics and Website Performance
To help improve our Website and Services, we may use analytics providers that generate reports regarding Website usage.
These reports may include aggregated or pseudonymized information regarding:
• visitor numbers;
• traffic sources;
• navigation behaviour;
• page performance;
• technical issues;
• user engagement;
• general Website usage patterns.
Analytics information helps us improve:
• Website usability;
• educational content;
• technical performance;
• security;
• participant experience.
Analytics reports generally do not identify individual users directly unless combined with other information as permitted by applicable law.

12. Third-Party Technologies
To support the operation of our Website and Services, we may use third-party technologies and service providers.
Depending on how you interact with our Website, these providers may process information on our behalf or as independent service providers in accordance with their own privacy practices.
Examples of technologies we currently use may include:
Brevo
Brevo may be used for:
• email communications;
• registration confirmations;
• learning reminders;
• newsletters;
• customer support communications;
• marketing communications;
• contact management;
• communication automation.

Google Analytics
Google Analytics may be used to better understand Website traffic and visitor interactions.
Information generated through analytics tools may include:
• page visits;
• session duration;
• navigation behaviour;
• approximate geographic region;
• device characteristics;
• Website performance information.
Google Analytics does not provide us with complete payment information or passwords.

Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager is used to manage Website tags and measurement technologies.
Google Tag Manager itself does not typically collect personal information for its own independent purposes but may facilitate the deployment of technologies that do, depending on Website configuration.

Meta Pixel
Meta Pixel may be used to help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and understand interactions with our Website.
Where permitted by applicable law, Meta technologies may support:
• conversion measurement;
• audience insights;
• advertising optimization;
• remarketing.

Stape
We may use Stape and server-side tag management technologies to improve data quality, measurement accuracy, Website performance, security, and advertising attribution.
These technologies may assist with transmitting certain event information to authorized third-party platforms in accordance with our Website configuration.

Other Service Providers
From time to time, we may engage additional service providers for purposes including:
• cloud hosting;
• payment processing;
• learning management systems;
• webinar platforms;
• customer support;
• cybersecurity;
• document management;
• analytics;
• communications.
We select service providers based on operational needs and may change providers from time to time without updating this Privacy Policy, provided the overall processing purposes remain substantially the same.

13. Email Communications
We may send different categories of email communications, including:
Service Communications
These may include:
• account activation;
• password resets;
• purchase confirmations;
• payment confirmations;
• training reminders;
• expiry notifications;
• certificate notifications;
• technical support;
• policy updates;
• security notices.
These communications are generally necessary for providing the Services.

Marketing Communications
Where permitted by applicable law, we may also send:
• newsletters;
• promotional offers;
• educational updates;
• webinar invitations;
• new program announcements;
• surveys;
• event invitations.
Recipients may unsubscribe from promotional communications at any time by using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in the email or by contacting us directly.
Unsubscribing from promotional communications does not prevent us from sending communications that are necessary to administer your account or provide requested Services.

14. Automated Technologies
Certain Website functions may involve automated technologies that assist with:
• spam prevention;
• fraud detection;
• Website security;
• analytics;
• personalization;
• communication management;
• technical monitoring.
These technologies are used to support Website functionality and improve user experience.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, we do not make decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects solely through automated processing.

15. Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not sell personal information to third parties.
We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to operate our Services, fulfill contractual obligations, comply with legal requirements, protect legitimate interests, or with your consent where required by applicable law.
Depending on the circumstances, personal information may be shared with the following categories of recipients:
• payment service providers;
• cloud hosting providers;
• learning management system providers;
• email and communication service providers;
• customer support providers;
• analytics providers;
• advertising and marketing service providers;
• webinar and virtual meeting providers;
• cybersecurity providers;
• professional advisors, including legal, accounting, audit, or insurance advisors;
• financial institutions;
• government authorities, regulators, courts, or law enforcement where disclosure is required or permitted by applicable law;
• successors in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate restructuring, financing, sale of assets, or similar business transaction.
We require service providers processing personal information on our behalf to implement appropriate safeguards consistent with their contractual obligations and applicable law.

16. International Transfers of Personal Information
CIQHR is based in Ontario, Canada. However, due to the nature of online educational services and the use of internationally recognized technology providers, personal information may be processed, stored, accessed, or transferred outside your country or jurisdiction of residence.
Such jurisdictions may have privacy laws that differ from those in your home jurisdiction.
Where we transfer personal information across borders, we take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate contractual, technical, and organizational safeguards are implemented where required by applicable law.
By using our Services, you acknowledge that your personal information may be transferred to and processed in jurisdictions where our service providers operate, subject to applicable legal requirements.

17. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by applicable law.
Retention periods may vary depending on factors such as:
• the nature of the information;
• contractual obligations;
• legal requirements;
• tax and accounting obligations;
• dispute resolution;
• fraud prevention;
• educational record administration;
• operational needs.
Examples of records that may be retained include:
• registration records;
• payment confirmations;
• certificates issued;
• learning progress;
• educational participation records;
• communications;
• technical logs;
• support requests;
• policy acceptance records.
When personal information is no longer required, we will securely delete, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of it in accordance with our retention practices and applicable law.

18. Security Safeguards
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to help protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
These safeguards may include, where appropriate:
• encrypted communications using industry-standard protocols where available;
• access controls;
• authentication measures;
• password protection;
• network security controls;
• system monitoring;
• software updates;
• security logging;
• employee and contractor access restrictions;
• service provider security assessments where appropriate.
No method of electronic transmission, storage, or internet communication can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Accordingly, while we use commercially reasonable measures to help protect personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Participants are encouraged to protect their own devices, passwords, internet connections, and account credentials.

19. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information.
These rights may include the right to:
• request access to personal information we hold about you;
• request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;
• request deletion of personal information, subject to applicable legal and contractual obligations;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
• request restriction of certain processing activities where permitted by law;
• object to certain processing activities where permitted by law;
• request information regarding our privacy practices;
• lodge a complaint with an appropriate privacy regulator where applicable.
These rights are not absolute and may be subject to legal exceptions, identity verification requirements, record retention obligations, or other limitations permitted by applicable law.
Requests may be submitted using the contact information provided at the end of this Privacy Policy.

20. Marketing Preferences
Where required by applicable law, marketing communications will be sent only where appropriate consent has been obtained or another lawful basis applies.
You may withdraw your consent or unsubscribe from promotional communications at any time by:
• using the unsubscribe link contained in the communication;
• updating your communication preferences where available; or
• contacting us directly.
Withdrawal of marketing consent does not affect our ability to send communications that are necessary to administer your account, provide requested Services, respond to inquiries, or comply with legal obligations.

21. Children's Privacy
Our Services are intended primarily for adults and individuals participating in professional education and workplace learning.
We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children where doing so would be prohibited by applicable law.
If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child in violation of applicable legal requirements, we will take reasonable steps to delete such information or otherwise comply with applicable law.
Parents or legal guardians who believe that a child has provided personal information may contact us using the information provided below.

22. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Tools
From time to time, CIQHR may use artificial intelligence ("AI"), machine learning, automation technologies, or similar tools to assist with operational, educational, administrative, analytical, communication, or support activities.
Examples may include:
• drafting educational materials;
• improving website functionality;
• communication support;
• content organization;
• analytics;
• spam detection;
• fraud prevention;
• customer support assistance.
AI-assisted technologies are used to support our Services and do not replace professional judgment.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, we do not rely solely on automated processing to make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects concerning individuals.
Where AI-generated content is provided, participants remain responsible for exercising their own professional judgment and independently evaluating any educational information before relying upon it.

23. Business Transfers
If CIQHR or QOLD Business & People Development Inc. is involved in a merger, acquisition, corporate restructuring, financing, sale of assets, or other business transaction, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable legal requirements.
The acquiring organization will generally be required to continue protecting personal information in a manner consistent with applicable law or provide appropriate notice of material changes.

24. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in:
• applicable law;
• technology;
• business operations;
• educational services;
• security practices;
• regulatory requirements.
The revised version will be published on our Website together with the updated effective date.
Where required by applicable law, we will provide additional notice of material changes.
Continued use of our Services following the effective date of an updated Privacy Policy constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Privacy Policy, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

25. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any applicable privacy rights, please contact:
QOLD Business & People Development Inc.
Operating as CIQHR™ (Center for International Qualifications in Human Resources)
Email: ac.rhqic%40ofni
Website: https://www.ciqhr.ca & ciqhr.com
If you believe that your privacy concerns have not been addressed, you may also have the right to contact the applicable privacy regulator in your jurisdiction, subject to applicable law.

Final Privacy Notice
This Privacy Policy is intended to provide general information regarding our privacy practices. It should not be interpreted as a representation that any specific privacy law applies in every circumstance or that any particular regulatory standard applies universally to all users. Privacy rights and obligations may vary depending on applicable laws and individual circumstances.