Privacy Policy - Meta STEMs Education

Last Updated: July 18, 2025

1. Introduction

Meta STEMs Education (“Meta STEMs”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) operates the website https://stemsworld.com/ (“Site”) to provide STEM Olympiad examinations, courses, online resources, and virtual classroom services. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, share, store, and protect your information, aligned with Indian data protection laws (including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023) and international standards like GDPR and FERPA.

By accessing or using our Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, kindly refrain from using the Site.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal and non-personal information:

a. Personal Identification Information

Name
Date of Birth and Age
Gender
Contact details: Email, phone number, address
Parent/guardian contact details (for minors)
Educational details (school, grade/class, exam results)
Payment details (processed via secure third parties)
Photos, images, or video as part of Olympiad participation or certificates

b. Technical and Usage Data

IP address and device information
Browser type and language
Site usage logs and activity
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

c. Voluntary Submissions

Enquiry forms, feedback, or support requests
Newsletter sign-ups
Participation in forums, testimonials, or online events

3. Legal Basis and Purpose for Processing

We process personal data on the following bases:

Consent: Data is processed after explicit user (or parental, for minors) consent.
Contractual necessity: To provide educational or Olympiad services.
Legal obligation: To comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Legitimate interest: For improvement of services, analytics, site security, and anti-fraud measures.

Purposes include:

User account creation and management
Registration and administration of Olympiad exams/courses
Communication and customer support
Certification and results management
Providing study materials and online resources
Personalization of user experience and website content
Processing payments and refunds (via secure payment gateways)

4. Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies and similar tracking tools to:

Authenticate users
Retain session information
Analyse website traffic and usage
Collect preferences to enhance user experience

Users may control cookie preferences through their browser settings; disabling cookies may affect certain functionalities.

5. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We may share user data only under these circumstances:

Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors for hosting, analytics, payment processing, and communication. All partners are required to adhere to strict data protection standards.
Legal Requirements: In response to law enforcement, regulatory inquiries, court orders, or to comply with applicable law.
Corporate Transactions: In case of mergers, acquisitions, or transfer of business, provided the recipient abides by this policy.
With Consent: For any additional uses, explicit consent will be requested.

We do not sell or rent personal data for marketing purposes.

6. Data Protection and Security Measures

We implement industry-standard measures to safeguard personal data, including:

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
Access controls and password protections
Regular security audits and monitoring
Data minimization and pseudonymization where possible
Employee training on data privacy

While we strive for maximum security, no transmission over the internet is 100% secure. Users are advised to protect their account credentials responsibly.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our services are designed for students, including minors under the age of 18.
For users under 18, data collection and account creation require parental or guardian consent. Special care is taken to obtain verifiable parental consent for processing any personal or educational data of children, in accordance with Indian and international child data protection laws (e.g., COPPA, FERPA, Indian DPDP Act).
Parents/guardians may review, update, or request deletion of their child’s information by contacting us.

8. Users’ Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:

Access: Know what personal data we hold about you.
Rectification: Request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Ask for deletion of your data in certain circumstances.
Restriction: Request restriction of data processing.
Objection: Object to certain data uses (e.g., marketing).
Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent at any time for non-essential processing.
Portability: Request to receive your data in a machine-readable format (where applicable).

Requests may be made via the contact information below; we may require verification before acting on them.

9. Data Retention

Personal data is retained only as long as necessary:

To provide the requested services, maintain user accounts, and comply with legal obligations
To resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and for legitimate business purposes
After the retention period, data is securely deleted or anonymized

10. Cross-Border Data Transfers

Where data is transferred outside India (including servers or partners abroad):

We ensure such transfers comply with the Indian DPDP Act, GDPR, and other relevant laws
Adequate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent mechanisms) are implemented for international data transfers

11. Third-Party Links and Platforms

Our Site may link to third-party websites, resources, or online platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. Users are advised to review privacy policies of third-party sites before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in law, best practices, or our service offerings. Updates will be prominently posted on the Site, and significant changes will be communicated to registered users.

13. Contact Information

For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, to exercise your rights, or to make a complaint, please contact:

Meta STEMs Education
Email: [support@stemsworld.com]
Official Website: https://stemsworld.com/

14. Grievance Redressal

In compliance with applicable laws, we have designated a Grievance Officer:

Grievance Officer:
Email: [grievance@stemsworld.com]
(Please contact for complaints regarding privacy or data protection matters.)

15. Consent

By using our Site and services, you expressly consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy.

Meta STEMs Education is committed to upholding your privacy and ensuring transparency and control over your data in alignment with Indian and international standards.

This document serves as a comprehensive privacy policy and is tailored for Meta STEMs Education, addressing all relevant Indian and international regulatory frameworks for educational technology and online learning services.