1) Privacy Notice (Data Statement)

Last updated: 4 February 2026
Website / Brand: IELTS Laboratory
Contact: will@ielts-laboratory.co
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

1. Who we are

We provide online learning materials and courses (the “Services”) through our website and learning platform.

2. What this notice covers

This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, share, and retain personal information when you:

  • visit our website

  • create an account or purchase/enrol in a product

  • submit assignments or interact with learning activities

  • contact us for support

3. What information we collect

We may collect:

A. Account and contact information

  • name, email address, login identifiers

  • billing address (if provided)

  • account settings and preferences

B. Purchase and access information

  • products purchased/enrolled in

  • payment status and transaction references (we do not store full card details)

C. Learning and assignment information

  • assignment submissions (e.g., writing tasks)

  • scores, rubrics, feedback, and progress logs

  • participation data (e.g., lesson completion)

D. Communications

  • messages you send us (email, contact forms, in-platform messages)

E. Device and website usage information

  • IP address, device/browser information

  • pages viewed, links clicked, referral sources
    (See Cookie Policy below.)

4. How we use your information

We use personal information to:

Provide the Services

  • create and manage accounts

  • deliver course access and learning features

  • process payments and provide customer support

Improve the Services

  • troubleshoot, maintain security, and prevent misuse

  • understand what content is useful and what needs improvement

Communicate with you

  • service messages (e.g., enrolment, receipts, changes to products)

  • marketing messages where you have opted in (you can unsubscribe at any time)

5. Assignment analytics and research: opt-in per assignment

We want to analyse student assignment data to improve teaching materials and understand learning patterns. This is optional and is off by default.

  • You will be asked to opt in each time you submit an assignment (or at another clear point tied to that specific assignment).

  • If you opt in, we may use that assignment submission and associated learning data (e.g., band scores, feedback tags, revision history) for analysis.

  • We aim to use aggregated outputs and, where feasible, de-identified excerpts. If we ever want to use identifiable data (or a longer quotation that could reasonably identify you), we will seek additional permission.

If you do not opt in, your assignment is still processed for learning and feedback purposes, but it is not included in analytics/research beyond what is necessary to deliver the learning experience.

Withdrawing opt-in: You can withdraw your opt-in for future assignments at any time, and you can request removal of past opted-in submissions from our analysis dataset where reasonably feasible (see “Your rights” below).

Transparency is a core expectation of privacy compliance.

6. Our legal bases (UK visitors) and consent approach

Where UK data protection law applies, we typically rely on:

  • Contract (to deliver paid/free services you request, like providing course access and feedback).

  • Legitimate interests (to keep the service secure and improve it in ways users reasonably expect, with minimal privacy impact).

  • Consent (for marketing and for optional assignment analytics/research when we ask you to opt in). Consent must be a clear positive choice, not implied.

7. Who we share information with

We share information only as needed to run the Services, for example with:

  • Payment processing: Stripe (transaction processing)

  • Learning platform / course delivery: Disco (accounts, enrolment, learning activity)

  • Website hosting / site builder: Framer (site pages, forms)

  • Automation / integrations: Zapier (moving data between services)

  • Database / records storage (if used): Airtable

  • AI processing (if used for feedback or analysis): OpenAI

We also may share information with professional advisers (accountants/lawyers) and where required by law.

8. International transfers

Some service providers may store or process data outside your country (for example, in the United States). Where this happens, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

9. Retention (how long we keep data)

We keep personal information only as long as needed for:

  • providing the Services

  • maintaining business records (e.g., tax/accounting)

  • resolving disputes and enforcing agreements

Typical retention periods (edit as needed):

  • account records: for as long as your account is active, plus [12–24 months]

  • purchase records: [6–7 years] (accounting/tax)

  • assignments and feedback: for as long as the course remains active, plus [12–24 months]

  • opted-in research dataset: until you withdraw consent or request deletion (subject to feasibility and legal retention requirements)

10. Your rights and choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

  • access the personal information we hold about you

  • correct inaccuracies

  • request deletion

  • object to or restrict certain processing

  • withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)

  • complain to your local regulator

To exercise rights, contact: will@ielts-laboratory.co

For Canada, the federal private-sector law applies to many commercial activities involving personal information.

11. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational measures to protect your information. No system is perfectly secure; if you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately.

12. Children

Our Services are not intended for children under 16. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us to request deletion.

13. Changes to this notice

We may update this notice from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and change the “Last updated” date.

 

2) Cookie Policy

Last updated: 4 February 2026

1. What cookies are

Cookies and similar technologies are small files placed on your device to help websites function and to collect information about usage.

2. How we use cookies

We use cookies to:

  • keep the site working (essential functionality)

  • remember preferences

  • understand how the website is used (analytics), if you consent

  • support marketing measurement, if you consent

UK guidance expects a clear choice and a positive action for non-essential cookies; continuing to browse is not enough.

3. Types of cookies we use

A. Strictly necessary cookies (always on)
These are required for core site functions (e.g., security, page navigation, login sessions).

B. Analytics cookies (optional)
These help us understand traffic and improve the website (e.g., page views, time on page). We only set these if you choose “Accept analytics” (or similar) in the cookie banner.

C. Marketing cookies (optional)
These may be used to measure ad performance or build audiences. We only set these if you explicitly consent.

3. Contact

Questions: will@ielts-laboratory.co


3) Terms of Service

Last updated: 4 February 2026
Provider: IELTS Laboratory (“we”, “us”)
User: (“you”)

1. Acceptance

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to these Terms.

2. The Services

We provide online learning content, courses, and related features. Some parts may be delivered via third-party platforms. We may update or modify content to improve quality and maintain accuracy.

3. Accounts

You are responsible for:

  • providing accurate information

  • keeping login details secure

  • all activity under your account

We may suspend accounts that breach these Terms or create security risks.

4. Purchases, access, and pricing

  • Prices are shown at checkout (including currency) and may change over time.

  • Access rules (e.g., duration, cohort dates, expiry) are specified on the product page or inside the learning platform.

  • Digital access can be revoked if payments are reversed or if fraud is suspected.

5. Assignments and feedback

You may submit assignments as part of learning activities. Any scoring, rubrics, or feedback are for educational purposes and do not guarantee exam outcomes.

6. Opt-in analysis of student work

If we offer optional analysis/research on assignment data, you will be asked to opt in per assignment. If you do not opt in, you still receive the learning service. Any optional analysis operates under the Privacy Notice.

7. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

  • misuse the platform (e.g., hacking, scraping, interfering with systems)

  • upload unlawful, abusive, or infringing content

  • share paid materials publicly or resell access without permission

  • impersonate others or submit others’ personal data without permission

8. Intellectual property

All course materials, site content, and branding are owned by us or licensed to us. You receive a limited, personal, non-transferable licence to access materials for your own learning.

You retain ownership of your assignment submissions, but you grant us a licence to process them to provide the Services (and, if you opt in, for analysis as described in the Privacy Notice).

9. Third-party services

Some Services rely on third parties (e.g., payments, hosting, learning platform). We are not responsible for outages or failures caused by third-party systems, though we will take reasonable steps to restore service.

10. Disclaimers

To the extent permitted by law:

  • Services are provided “as is” and “as available”.

  • We do not guarantee uninterrupted access, specific learning outcomes, or test scores.

11. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses. Our total liability for any claim is limited to the amount you paid us for the relevant product in the [3] months before the claim arose, unless your local law requires otherwise.

12. Termination

You may stop using the Services at any time. We may terminate or suspend access if you breach these Terms. Sections relating to IP, liability, and dispute resolution survive termination.

13. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada, and courts in British Columbia, Canada have exclusive jurisdiction, unless consumer protection law says otherwise.

14. Contact

Support and legal notices: will@ielts-laboratory.co

 

4) Refund Policy

Last updated: 4 February 2026

1. Overview

We sell digital learning products (courses, downloads, and subscriptions/memberships). Because access is delivered immediately, refunds depend on product type and usage.

2. Courses (one-time purchase)

Refund window: 14 days from purchase only if:

  • you have completed less than 100% of the course content

3. Subscriptions / memberships

You can cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not provide prorated refunds unless required by law.

4. Downloadable digital products

Downloadable products are generally non-refundable once accessed or downloaded, unless they are defective or misdescribed.

5. Exceptions

We will provide a refund where required by consumer law, or where there is:

  • duplicate payment

  • proven fraud

  • material service failure that we cannot remedy within a reasonable time

6. How to request a refund

Email will@ielts-laboratory.co with:

  • the email used at purchase

  • the product name

  • the date of purchase

  • reason for request

We aim to respond within 5 business days.