At Studenco, your privacy matters to us. We are committed to protecting your personal data and handling it transparently and securely. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our platform, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Belgian privacy laws.
By using Studenco, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.
Who We Are
Studenco is a platform designed to help students in Belgium sublet and find temporary dorm accommodations. Whether you’re heading abroad for Erasmus or looking for a short-term stay, we’re here to make the process simple and secure.
If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy, feel free to contact us:
- Email: Hello@studenco.be
- Address: To be added
What Data We Collect
To provide our services, we collect certain personal data, including:
- Identity Information: Such as your name, email, phone number, and student ID.
- Location Information: The address of the dorm you’re subletting.
- Payment Details: Data needed for secure transactions via services like PayPal or Stripe.
- Usage Data: Information about how you use our platform, such as your IP address and browsing activity.
- Profile Data: Details you provide in your account or listings, such as dorm descriptions and photos.
How We Use Your Data
We use your data to:
- Facilitate dorm subletting between users.
- Verify your identity as a student.
- Process payments securely through third-party services like PayPal and Stripe (refer to their respective privacy policies for more details on how your payment data is handled).
- Provide support and resolve account or listing issues.
- Enhance the platform and ensure its security.
- Comply with legal obligations.
- Track the performance of listings (views, clicks, and interactions) to give renters insight into how their ad is performing.
Our Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data under the following legal grounds:
- Your Consent: You’ve agreed to how we use your data.
- Contractual Necessity: The data is needed to provide our services.
- Legal Obligation: We comply with Belgian laws and regulations.
- Legitimate Interests: To keep the platform functional, secure, and free from fraud.
Sharing Your Data
We only share your data when necessary:
- With Other Users: Renters may choose to display their contact information on their listings, while data of those seeking to rent is shared with renters upon request.
- With Service Providers: For secure payments (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) and website hosting.
- With Advertisers: We may share high-level, anonymized data (such as the amount of visitors, their locations, etc.) with companies interested in advertising.
- With Authorities: When required by law or to protect users and our platform.
Rest assured, we never sell or rent your data to third parties.
How Long We Keep Your Data
We retain your data only for as long as necessary:
- Account and listing information is deleted 3 months after inactivity or listing expiration.
- Payment records are retained for 7 years to comply with Belgian tax regulations.
- Consent records are stored for 5 years, as required by GDPR.
Once the retention period ends, your data is securely deleted or anonymized.
Your GDPR Rights
As a user in Belgium, you have the right to:
- Access: View the personal data we hold about you.
- Correct: Fix any inaccuracies in your data.
- Delete: Request the deletion of your data.
- Restrict: Limit how your data is processed.
- Transfer: Receive your data in a portable format.
- Object: Refuse processing based on legitimate interests.
To exercise these rights, email us at Hello@studenco.be.
How We Protect Your Data
We take your security seriously. That’s why we use advanced measures like encryption, secure servers, and regular security checks to keep your data safe from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. Since Studenco is built on WordPress, we also use standard WordPress security plugins and best practices to help ensure the safety of your data.
Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website, track its performance, and enable secure sessions. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.
In Case of a Data Breach
If a data breach occurs, we will:
- Notify affected users and the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit) within 72 hours, if required.
- Share details about the breach and steps to protect your data.
- Offer guidance on mitigating any potential risks.
Policy Updates
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements. Significant updates will be communicated via email or directly on our platform.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this policy or how we handle your data, contact us:
- Email: Hello@studenco.be
- Address: To be added