This Privacy Policy explains how BytExplorer (“BytExplorer”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses and shares information when you use the BytExplorer website, learning platform and related services (the “Service”). We’ve tried to keep it plain-English. If anything here is unclear, email us at [email protected].
The Service is offered to learners in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. By using it you agree to this Policy together with our Terms of Use.
1. Information we collect
Information you give us
- Account details — your name, email address and a password (passwords are stored only as a salted hash; we never see your plain-text password).
- Sign-in via a provider — if you register with Google, GitHub or Discord, we receive your basic profile (name, email, avatar image and the provider’s account ID) so we can create and identify your account.
- Code and answers you submit — code you write in lessons and quiz responses, so we can run, grade and track them.
- Personalized Roadmap quiz — if you use our roadmap quiz, we store your answers and the email address you give us so we can send your personalized learning path. You don’t need an account to use it.
- Anything you send us — e.g. support emails or messages.
Information created as you use the Service
- Learning progress — lessons completed, scores, XP, level, achievements, course enrolments and a daily-activity “streak”.
- Technical data — basic information your browser sends (IP address, browser/device type) and the essential cookie that keeps you signed in.
Payment information
When you subscribe, payments are processed by Stripe. Your full card number is entered on Stripe’s systems and is never sent to or stored by us. We keep only your Stripe customer ID, subscription status and renewal date, and (if you used one) the discount or referral code applied at checkout. Stripe’s handling of your data is governed by Stripe’s Privacy Policy.
Linked Discord account (optional)
If you connect Discord from your settings, we use the “identify” permission only and store just your public Discord ID and username. We do not store your Discord email, your direct messages, the list of servers you’re in, or any access token — the token is read once and immediately discarded. We use this solely to grant subscriber roles in our Discord server via our bot.
2. How we use information
- To create your account, sign you in and keep you signed in.
- To deliver lessons, run and grade your code, and save your progress, XP and achievements.
- To take payment, manage your subscription, and apply discounts or referral attribution.
- To grant subscriber perks in our Discord community (only if you’ve linked Discord).
- To respond to support requests and send essential service messages.
- To send your Personalized Roadmap when you request it, and — only if you tick the optional box — occasional guides, learning resources and offers. Every marketing email has a one-click unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time.
- To keep the Service secure, prevent abuse, and meet our legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information, and we don’t use it for third-party advertising. Marketing emails are opt-in and separate from the roadmap you asked for. We currently do not run third-party analytics or advertising trackers; if that changes we will update this Policy first.
3. How your code is run
Code you submit in lessons is sent to a code-execution environment we operate to compile and run it and return the output. We don’t use it to identify you and we don’t share it with third parties for advertising.
4. Who we share information with
We share personal information only with the service providers we need to run BytExplorer:
- Stripe — payment processing and subscription billing.
- Google, GitHub and Discord — only if you choose to sign in or link with them, to verify your identity.
- Discord — to operate our community and grant subscriber roles via our bot, if you’ve linked your account.
- Infrastructure providers — the hosting and database services that run the Service on our behalf, under confidentiality obligations.
We may also disclose information if required by law, to enforce our Terms, to protect the rights and safety of our users or the public, or in connection with a merger, acquisition or sale of assets (you’ll be notified of any such change).
5. Cookies
We use a single essential cookie to keep you logged in and a short-lived cookie during OAuth sign-in to protect against cross-site request forgery. These are necessary for the Service to function, so we don’t show a consent banner for them. We don’t use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.
6. How long we keep it
We keep your account and learning data for as long as your account is active. If you close your account, we delete or anonymise your personal data within a reasonable period, except where we must keep certain records (for example, transaction records Stripe and we retain to meet tax and accounting obligations).
7. Security
We protect your data with measures such as hashed passwords, encryption in transit (HTTPS) and access controls. No method of transmission or storage is ever 100% secure, so we can’t guarantee absolute security — but we work to protect your information and to address issues promptly if they arise.
8. Children and age
BytExplorer is intended for people who are 18 years or older, or who are old enough to use the Service under the law of their country with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction) without appropriate consent. If you believe a child has given us personal information improperly, contact us and we will delete it. See also the eligibility section of our Terms of Use.
9. Your privacy rights
Wherever you live, you can ask us to access, correct or delete your personal information, or ask a question about how we handle it, by emailing [email protected]. We’ll verify your request and respond within the time required by your local law. You won’t be treated differently for exercising these rights.
United States (incl. California)
We do not sell or “share” personal information as those terms are defined under California law (CCPA/CPRA), and we don’t use it for cross-context behavioural advertising. California residents (and residents of other US states with similar laws) may request access to, deletion of, or correction of their personal information, and may not be discriminated against for doing so.
Canada
Under PIPEDA and applicable provincial laws, you may access and correct your personal information and withdraw consent (subject to legal or contractual limits). You may also raise concerns with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Australia
We handle personal information in line with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). You may request access to and correction of your information, and you may complain to us and then, if unresolved, to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
New Zealand
We handle personal information in line with the Information Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 2020. You may request access to and correction of your information, and you may raise concerns with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
10. International data transfers
We operate from [the State/Province and country where BytExplorer operates], and our service providers (such as Stripe, Google, GitHub and Discord) may process data in the United States and other countries. This means your information may be transferred to and processed outside the country where you live. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for those transfers.
11. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we’ll update the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, let you know in the app or by email. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.
12. Contact us
Questions, requests or complaints about privacy? Email [email protected] and we’ll help.