Last updated: 20 December 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how GATE – German Academy for Technology & Entrepreneurship (“GATE”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal data when you visit https://gate.education (the “Website”) or use our services, including coaching, career guidance/job placement support, exchange programs, higher education consulting (Germany/EU), events, and related communications (the “Services”). 

1) Who controls your data
GATE is the “controller” of personal data processed in connection with the Website and Services.

Contact for privacy requests: arvi@gate.education

2) Personal data we collect

We may collect the following categories of personal data, depending on how you interact with us:

A. Data you provide directly

• Identity and contact details (name, email, phone number, country of residence, date of birth if needed for eligibility checks).
• Education and career information (CV/resume, academic records, work history, portfolio links, LinkedIn profile, skills, certifications).
• Application and consulting data (program preferences, target universities/countries, motivation statements, documents you submit for review).
• Payment and billing details (billing name/address, transaction details, invoice information). Card details are processed by our payment providers, not stored by us.
• Communications (emails, chat messages, WhatsApp/Telegram messages, call notes, support requests).
• Any information you choose to share during coaching (including goals, constraints, and planning information).
  
  

B. Data collected automatically

• Device and usage data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, referring URL, time spent, approximate location based on IP).
• Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 10).
  
  

C. Data from third parties

• Payment confirmation and limited transaction metadata from payment providers.
• Recruitment or university-related confirmations when you ask us to coordinate with an employer/university/partner.
• Marketing analytics signals (e.g., aggregate campaign performance) from advertising/analytics services.
  
  

3) Why we use your data (purposes)
We use personal data to:

• Provide and administer Services (coaching, consulting, document review, program participation).
• Respond to enquiries and support requests.
• Manage bookings, scheduling, and program operations.
• Process payments, issue invoices, and maintain accounting records.
• Improve the Website, content, and user experience.
• Send service-related communications (e.g., onboarding details, reminders, policy updates).
• Send marketing communications where legally permitted (and you can opt out at any time).
• Prevent fraud, enforce our Terms, and maintain security.
• Meet legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities.
  
  

4) Legal bases for processing (GDPR)
Where GDPR applies, GATE relies on the following legal bases:

• Contract: processing needed to deliver Services you request or purchase.
• Legitimate interests: improving Services, ensuring security, preventing fraud, and operating the business efficiently (balanced against your rights).
• Consent: where required for marketing communications and certain cookies/trackers.
• Legal obligation: accounting, tax, compliance, and responding to lawful requests.
  
  

5) How we share your data
We do not sell your personal data. We may share data with:

• Service providers that help us operate (e.g., website hosting, email delivery, CRM, scheduling tools, cloud storage, analytics, customer support platforms).
• Payment providers to process transactions.
• Coaches and staff working under confidentiality to deliver Services.
• Partners (universities/employers) only when you request or authorize us to share relevant documents or information (e.g., sending a CV to an employer contact).
• Authorities or legal advisers if required to comply with law, protect rights, or handle disputes.
• We share only what is reasonably necessary for the purpose.
  
  

6) International data transfers
Your data may be processed in countries outside your country of residence (including outside the European Economic Area) depending on where service providers operate. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses and/or equivalent measures to protect your data.

7) Data retention
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described above, including legal, accounting, and operational requirements. Typical retention periods:

• Client records and invoices: retained as required by applicable tax/accounting laws.
• Coaching/consulting files: retained as long as necessary to provide Services and manage follow-ups, then archived or deleted.
• Marketing records: retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion, unless we must keep minimal suppression data to respect your opt-out.
• You may request deletion where applicable (see Section 9).
  
  

8) Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data, such as access controls, least-privilege practices, and secure service providers. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; if a data breach occurs, we will act in accordance with applicable law.

9) Your rights (GDPR/EEA/UK)
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal data.
• Correct inaccurate data.
• Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”).
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Data portability.
• Withdraw consent at any time (for processing based on consent).
• Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.

To exercise rights, email arvi@gate.education. We may request verification of identity before fulfilling requests.

10) Cookies and tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Website and understand how it is used. Cookies may include:

• Strictly necessary cookies (website functionality and security).
• Analytics cookies (understanding traffic and usage).
• Marketing cookies (measuring and improving campaigns).
• Where required by law, we will request consent for non-essential cookies. You can also control cookies through browser settings.
  
  

11) Marketing communications
If you opt in or where permitted by law, we may send marketing emails about programs, events, and Services. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the email or by emailing arvi@gate.education. Service messages (transactional/onboarding) may still be sent when necessary.

12) Children
The Website and Services are not intended for children under 16. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact arvi@gate.education and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

13) Third-party links
The Website may link to third-party websites (e.g., partner pages, payment pages). Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, not this one.

14) Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date will reflect the most recent revision. Continued use of the Website/Services after changes indicates acceptance.

15) Contact
For privacy questions or requests: arvi@gate.education