Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 30, 2026
Last updated: July 30, 2026

1. Introduction
   CourseJournal, Inc. (“CourseJournal,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website coursejournal.com/ (the
   “Site”), a publication that covers online courses, software tools, certifications, and career development.
   This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit the Site, how we use and share
   it, and the rights and choices available to you.
   By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Policy. If you do
   not agree, please do not use the Site.
2. Information We Collect
   2.1 Information you provide to us

• Contact forms: your name, email address, and the contents of your message when you reach out
  through our contact page.
• Newsletter signups: your email address when you subscribe to receive updates or content from
  us.
• Comments: any name, email address, or content you submit if you comment on an article.
  2.2 Information collected automatically
• Log and usage data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, referring
  URL, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and the dates and times of visits.
• Cookies and similar technologies: small files stored on your device that help the Site function,
  remember preferences, and measure how the Site is used. See Section 4 for details.
• Affiliate click data: when you click an affiliate link on the Site (for example, a link to a course or
  software product), the click may be recorded by us and by the affiliate network or merchant so
  that purchases can be attributed to the Site. See Section 5.

1. How We Use Your Information
   We use the information we collect to:

• operate, maintain, and improve the Site and its content;
• respond to inquiries submitted through our contact forms;
• send newsletters and updates you have subscribed to (you can unsubscribe at any time using the
  link in every email);
• analyze traffic and reader behavior so we can understand which content is useful;
• track affiliate referrals so we earn commissions that fund the Site;
• detect, prevent, and address technical issues, spam, fraud, and abuse; and
• comply with legal obligations.

1. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
   We use the following categories of cookies and similar technologies:

• Strictly necessary cookies: required for the Site to function properly (for example, security and
  load-balancing cookies). These cannot be disabled through our tools.
• Analytics cookies: we use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to collect aggregated
  information about how visitors use the Site, including pages visited, session duration, and
  approximate location derived from IP address. This helps us improve our content. Analytics
  providers may set their own cookies.
• Affiliate/attribution cookies: when you click an affiliate link, the affiliate network or merchant may
  set a cookie on your device so that any purchase you make can be attributed to CourseJournal.
  These cookies are set and controlled by third parties under their own privacy policies.
  You can control cookies through your browser settings, including blocking or deleting them. Where
  required by law (for example, for visitors in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom), we
  request your consent before setting non-essential cookies via our cookie banner, and you can withdraw
  consent at any time through the cookie settings link on the Site.

1. Affiliate Links and Third-Party Tracking
   CourseJournal is a reader-supported publication. Some links on the Site are affiliate links, meaning we
   may earn a commission if you click a link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. We
   participate in affiliate programs operated by third parties such as course platforms, software vendors,
   and affiliate networks (for example, Udemy and networks such as Awin or Impact).
   When you click an affiliate link, you leave the Site and the destination website or network may collect
   information about you, including through cookies and tracking parameters attached to the link. We do
   not control those third parties, and their handling of your data is governed by their own privacy policies,
   which we encourage you to review.
2. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)
   If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, we process your personal data
   on the following legal bases:

• Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)): for non-essential cookies, analytics, and newsletter subscriptions.
• Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)): to operate and improve the Site, secure it against abuse,
  respond to your messages, and earn affiliate revenue that funds the Site, where those interests are
  not overridden by your rights.
• Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)): where we must retain or disclose information to comply with
  applicable law.

1. How We Share Information
   We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information only with:

• Service providers: companies that host the Site, deliver our newsletter, provide analytics, or
  protect the Site from spam and attacks. They process data on our behalf under contractual
  obligations.
• Affiliate networks and merchants: as described in Section 5, when you click affiliate links.
• Legal and safety: if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or to protect our
  rights, users, or the public.
• Business transfers: if CourseJournal is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, personal
  data may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy.

1. Data Retention
   We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Contact form
   messages are retained for as long as needed to handle your inquiry and for a reasonable period
   afterward. Newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe. Analytics data is retained according to the
   settings of our analytics provider (typically 2–14 months) and is aggregated or deleted thereafter.
2. International Data Transfers
   The Site is operated from the United States, and our service providers may process data in the United
   States and other countries. Where we transfer personal data from the EEA or the UK, we rely on
   appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses or an
   adequacy decision (including the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework, where the recipient is certified).
3. Your Rights
   10.1 If you are in the EEA or the UK (GDPR)
   You have the right to:

• access the personal data we hold about you;
• request correction of inaccurate data;
• request erasure of your data (“right to be forgotten”);
• restrict or object to processing, including processing based on legitimate interests;
• receive your data in a portable format;
• withdraw consent at any time, without affecting prior processing; and
• lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
  10.2 If you are a California resident (CCPA/CPRA)
  You have the right to:
• know what categories of personal information we collect, use, and disclose;
• request access to and deletion of your personal information;
• request correction of inaccurate personal information;
• opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. We do not sell personal information for
  money; however, the use of third-party analytics and affiliate cookies may constitute “sharing”
  under California law. You can opt out via the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link
  on the Site or by adjusting your cookie settings; we also honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals;
  and
• not be discriminated against for exercising any of these rights.
  To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 15. We will verify your request and
  respond within the timeframe required by law (generally 30 days under GDPR and 45 days under CCPA).

1. Data Security
   We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data, including HTTPS
   encryption, access controls, and reputable hosting providers. However, no method of transmission or
   storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
2. Children’s Privacy
   The Site is not directed to children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from
   children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
3. Third-Party Links
   The Site contains links to third-party websites, including course platforms, software vendors, and social
   media. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. This Policy applies only to
   coursejournal.com/.
4. Changes to This Policy
   We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated”
   date at the top of this page and, for material changes, provide additional notice on the Site. Your
   continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.
5. Contact Us
   If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, contact us at:
   CourseJournal, Inc.
   Email: privacy@coursejournal.com
   Contact form: https://coursejournal.com/contact/