Privacy Policy for Fluent From Afar

Last updated: 10/12/2026

Fluent From Afar (“we”, “our”, or “us”) operates the website https://fluentfromafar.com (the “Site”). We are committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you use our website or interact with our services.

1. Who We Are

Our website address is: https://fluentfromafar.com

We provide online language-learning resources, scheduling tools, and related digital services.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information in the following ways:

2.1 Information You Provide

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Contact details

  • Account login credentials

  • Calendar data when connecting to Google Calendar

  • Information submitted through forms, comments, or messages

2.2 Automatically Collected Information (via Cookies & Analytics)

When you visit the Site, we may automatically collect:

  • IP address

  • Browser type and version

  • Device information

  • Pages visited and time spent

  • Referring URLs

  • Cookies and session data

2.3 Comments

When visitors leave comments on the Site, we collect:

  • Data shown in the comments form

  • IP address

  • Browser user-agent string (for spam detection)

An anonymized string created from your email address may be sent to the Gravatar service to determine if you use it. Gravatar’s privacy policy: https://automattic.com/privacy/
Once approved, your profile picture may appear publicly with your comment.

2.4 Media Uploads

If you upload images, avoid images containing embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Other visitors may download and extract this data.

3. Google Calendar & Google API Integration

Our Site integrates with Google APIs, including Google Calendar, to provide scheduling and calendar-based features.

3.1 Data We Access

If you choose to connect your Google account, we may access:

  • Your Google account email address

  • Your Google Calendar events

  • Your availability

  • Permissions to create, edit, or delete events only when explicitly requested by you

We do not access any other Google account data unless you grant permission.

3.2 How We Use Google Data

Google Calendar data is used only to:

  • Display your calendar availability

  • Sync bookings or appointments

  • Create, update, or delete events on your instruction

  • Improve calendar-based functionality

We do not use your Google Calendar data for:

  • Advertising

  • Data profiling

  • Selling to third parties

3.3 Storage & Security

  • Calendar data is stored securely and used only for the intended features.

  • You can disconnect your Google account at any time.

  • Access can also be revoked from:
    https://myaccount.google.com/permissions

3.4 Compliance

We comply with:

  • Google API Services User Data Policy

  • POPIA (South Africa)

  • GDPR principles where applicable

4. Cookies

Our Site uses cookies to improve your experience.

4.1 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential cookies: Required for site functionality

  • Login cookies: Remember your login (optional)

  • Preference cookies: Store display and setting choices

  • Analytics cookies: Track usage patterns

4.2 Comment & Login Cookies

  • Comments may store your name, email, and website for future convenience (1 year).

  • Login cookies last for 2 days; display settings cookies last 1 year.

  • “Remember Me” keeps you logged in for 2 weeks.

You may disable cookies in your browser at any time.

5. Embedded Content From Other Websites

Articles or pages on our Site may include embedded content such as videos, images, or widgets.
These third-party sites may collect data through:

  • Cookies

  • Analytics

  • Tracking scripts

  • Monitoring your interaction with embedded content

This behavior is governed by the external website’s own privacy policy.

6. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • Provide and improve our services

  • Manage bookings and calendar integrations

  • Communicate with you (support, updates, notifications)

  • Maintain user accounts

  • Prevent fraud and improve security

  • Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell or distribute your personal data.

7. How Long We Retain Your Data

  • Comments and metadata: Indefinitely (for automated approval of future comments)

  • User accounts: Stored as long as the account is active

  • Google Calendar data: Only stored as long as you have integration enabled

  • Analytics data: Retained according to third-party provider policies

You may request deletion at any time.

8. Your Rights Over Your Data

You may request:

  • Access to personal data we hold

  • Correction of inaccurate data

  • Deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”)

  • Export of your data

  • Revocation of Google integration permissions

  • Restriction of processing

To submit a request, use our contact details below.

9. Where Your Data Is Sent

  • Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam detection services.

  • Some data may be processed by third-party service providers such as:

    • Google Calendar

    • Email providers

    • Payment processors (if applicable)

    • Analytics services

All third parties are required to follow appropriate data protection standards.

10. Security

We implement technical and organizational safeguards to protect your data, including:

  • HTTPS encryption

  • Secure database storage

  • Limited access controls

  • Regular security monitoring

No system is 100% secure, but we strive to protect your information to the highest standards.

11. Children’s Privacy

Our Site is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally.
Updates will appear on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to request information, contact us at:

📧 info@fluentfromafar.com
🌐 https://fluentfromafar.com