Lingochats

Terms and Policy Center

Privacy and Cookie Policy

Last Updated: June 5, 2025

Data Controller:
Lingochats, LLC
Email: legal@lingochats.com

Data Protection Officer Contact:
Email: legal@lingochats.com with the subject line "DPO"

EU/UK Representative:
Email: legal@lingochats.com

At Lingochats, your privacy is a top priority. We've made this Privacy and Cookie Policy easy to read and transparent so you understand how your data is handled. Please review it carefully before providing your consent or submitting any personal data through our platform.

This policy explains how and why Lingochats collects and uses personal data when you use our website, mobile application, or related services (“Lingochats Platform”), your rights under data protection laws, and how we safeguard your information.

1. Definitions: What Is Personal Data and Processing?

Personal Data: Any information that can identify you, directly or indirectly.
Processing: Any action performed on personal data (e.g., collecting, storing, using, deleting).
Data Subject: You, the user whose data is being processed.
Consent: Your clear and voluntary agreement to allow us to process your personal data.

2. Legal Grounds for Using Your Data

Lingochats processes your data only when there is a valid legal basis to do so:

With your consent – newsletters, analytics, events, and cookies.
To perform a contract – managing your account or language sessions.
With explicit permission – identity and fraud checks.
To serve legitimate interests – legal compliance, marketing, optimization, and AI model training.
To meet legal obligations – tax filings or investigations.
To protect vital interests – only in exceptional cases.

We will always inform you before applying a new legal basis.

3. What Data We Collect

We collect different data depending on your role and activity on the platform.

Learners: name, email, login credentials, country, time zone, language.
Locals: includes the above plus ID verification, description, supported languages, rates, topics of interest.
User submissions: comments, questions, feedback.
Billing: transaction ID, time, and amount.
Social Media: interactions on Facebook, TikTok, etc.
Tax Compliance: names, addresses, tax ID, etc.
Marketing: physical location data (if shared).
Audio/Video: recordings with notice and/or consent.
AI Tools: transcription for dispute resolution.
B2B: name, title, company, contact details.

4. How We Use Your Data

To provide services and manage accounts.
To process secure payments (via Square/PayPal).
To record and monitor video calls (internally only).
To support referral tracking and rewards.
To communicate service updates, notices, and support.
To gather research and feedback (with consent).
To send marketing communications (with opt-out options).
To analyze usage and improve the platform.
To resolve disputes and enforce platform rules.
To manage events/webinars and send confirmations.
To comply with financial, legal, and regulatory obligations.
To detect and prevent fraud.

5. When and How We Share Your Data

Your personal data may be shared with:

Service providers (analytics, marketing, email, payments, etc.)
Social platforms (Meta is a joint controller for insights; TikTok is independent)
Independent contractors (on a need-to-know basis)
Other Lingochats users (if required for session coordination)
Parties in business transitions (mergers, acquisitions)

6. Data Retention

We retain your data while your account is active.
Inactive accounts (180+ days) are flagged as expired.
Data is deleted within 90 days after account closure, unless legally required.
Video recordings are stored for 30 days.
Event registration data is deleted within 30 days post-event.

7. Your Rights

Right to Confirm, Access, Correct, or Delete your data
Right to Restrict or Object to processing
Right to Withdraw consent at any time
Right to Data Portability
Right to object to AI data training

Requests are free of charge and processed within 30 days (extensions possible for complex cases).

8. Additional Commitments

Cross-border transfers: secured with contracts and DPF compliance
Support access: only with your permission
Children: Users must be 18+ or supervised
Security breach notification: We will notify users promptly
California rights: CCPA protections (Right to Know, Correct, Delete, Opt-Out)

9. Data Privacy Framework Participation

Lingochats complies with:

EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF)
UK Extension to EU-U.S. DPF
Swiss-U.S. DPF

Unresolved complaints may be escalated to the ANA or resolved via binding arbitration. FTC oversight applies.

10. Legal Disclosures

We may disclose data when necessary to:

Comply with law or legal process
Enforce our policies
Investigate fraud
Protect the safety of our users and platform

11. Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your experience. Types include:

Strictly Necessary: Required for site functionality
Analytics: Understand site use and improve content
Functional: Remember user preferences
Targeting: Personalize ads based on activity

You can manage cookie preferences via the pop-up or browser settings. Some cookies may persist for up to 3 years unless deleted manually.

Contact

If you have questions about this policy or your data rights, contact support@lingochats.com or visit our Contact Page for assistance.

– The Lingochats Team