Privacy Policy

1. About This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Gradvise collects, uses, stores and protects personal information when you:

• visit our website;
• submit an enquiry;
• request a quote;
• contact us by email or WhatsApp;
• purchase or use our services; or
• otherwise communicate with us.

Gradvise is an independent online academic-support service.

We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and transparently.

2. Information We May Collect

Depending on how you interact with Gradvise, we may collect information such as:

• your name;
• email address;
• phone or WhatsApp number;
• university or educational institution;
• course or subject area;
• assignment or project details;
• deadline;
• approximate word count;
• marking criteria;
• referencing requirements;
• files or documents you choose to send us;
• payment and transaction information;
• correspondence with us;
• website usage information; and
• technical information such as IP address, browser type or device information.

We only ask for information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

3. Academic Materials You Share With Us

You may choose to send us:

• assignment briefs;
• drafts;
• marking criteria;
• research materials;
• datasets;
• presentation files;
• project documentation; or
• other academic materials.

We use these materials only to assess your request, provide the agreed academic support, communicate with you, and administer the service.

You should avoid sending unnecessary personal or confidential information belonging to other people.

4. How We Use Your Information

We may use personal information to:

• respond to enquiries;
• review your brief;
• prepare a support plan or quote;
• provide agreed academic-support services;
• communicate with you about your request;
• process payments;
• manage revisions, cancellations or refunds;
• provide customer support;
• maintain records relating to orders or transactions;
• improve our website and services;
• maintain website security;
• prevent fraud or misuse;
• comply with legal obligations; and
• establish, exercise or defend legal claims where necessary.

We will not use your personal information for purposes that are incompatible with the reasons it was originally collected unless permitted by law.

5. Lawful Bases for Processing

Where UK data-protection law applies, we may rely on one or more lawful bases depending on the purpose of processing.

These may include:

Contract

We may process information where it is necessary to:

• provide a quote;
• take steps at your request before entering into a contract; or
• provide a service you have purchased.

Legitimate Interests

We may process information where necessary for legitimate business purposes, such as:

• responding to enquiries;
• improving our services;
• maintaining website security;
• preventing misuse; or
• keeping appropriate business records.

We consider whether those interests are balanced against your rights and interests.

Legal Obligation

We may process information where necessary to comply with applicable legal, accounting, regulatory or tax requirements.

Consent

Where consent is required, for example for certain types of marketing or non-essential cookies, we will request it separately.

You may withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis for processing.

ICO guidance recommends identifying the lawful basis before processing personal information and explaining it in the privacy notice.

6. Marketing Communications

We will not automatically use an enquiry submitted through our website as permission to send unrelated promotional marketing.

If we introduce marketing emails, WhatsApp messages or similar communications, we will handle them in accordance with applicable marketing and privacy rules.

Where consent is required, it will be requested separately.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time.

7. Who We May Share Information With

We do not sell personal information.

We may share information where necessary with service providers that help us operate Gradvise, such as:

• website hosting providers;
• email providers;
• messaging platforms;
• payment processors;
• cloud-storage services;
• analytics providers;
• IT and security providers;
• professional advisers; or
• other service providers necessary to deliver our services.

These providers may process information only for the relevant service they provide to us and subject to applicable contractual and legal obligations.

We may also disclose information where required by law, court order, regulatory requirement, or where necessary to protect our legal rights.

The ICO advises businesses to explain who personal data is shared with and why.

8. Payment Information

Payments may be processed using third-party payment providers.

Gradvise may receive limited transaction information such as:

• payment status;
• transaction reference;
• amount paid; and
• date of payment.

We do not necessarily receive or store complete payment-card details where those are processed directly by the payment provider.

The relevant payment provider may process your information under its own privacy policy.

9. WhatsApp and Email

If you contact us through WhatsApp or email, your information will also be processed by the relevant platform or service provider.

You should review those providers' privacy information if you want to understand how they independently handle your data.

We recommend avoiding sending highly sensitive information unless it is genuinely necessary.

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• make the website function correctly;
• remember user preferences;
• understand website performance;
• measure visitor activity; or
• support security and technical functions.

Some cookies may be strictly necessary.

Where non-essential cookies or similar technologies require consent, they should not be used until appropriate consent has been obtained.

More information will be provided in our Cookie Policy.

ICO guidance states that website users should be informed about cookies and that consent is generally required for cookies that are not strictly necessary.

11. How Long We Keep Your Information

We do not keep personal information for longer than reasonably necessary.

Retention periods may vary depending on:

• the type of information;
• whether you purchased a service;
• legal or accounting requirements;
• whether a dispute or complaint exists; and
• whether the information is still necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

For example, we may keep:

• enquiry information for a reasonable period after the enquiry closes;
• order and payment records for longer where required for accounting, tax or legal purposes;
• correspondence where necessary to resolve disputes or maintain business records; and
• academic files only for as long as reasonably necessary for the agreed support and related administration.

Where information is no longer required, we aim to delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it.

The ICO expects privacy notices to explain either the retention period or how it is determined.

12. International Data Transfers

Because Gradvise operates online and may use technology providers located in different countries, personal information may sometimes be processed outside the country where you live.

Where applicable law requires safeguards for international transfers, we will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate protections are in place.

This may include relying on recognised contractual safeguards or other lawful transfer mechanisms.

13. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

• unauthorised access;
• loss;
• misuse;
• alteration;
• disclosure; or
• destruction.

However, no website, email service, cloud platform or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users should also take reasonable steps to protect their own accounts, devices and communications.

14. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on the law that applies to you, you may have rights relating to your personal information.

These may include the right to:

• request access to personal information we hold about you;
• ask us to correct inaccurate information;
• request deletion of your information in certain circumstances;
• request restriction of processing;
• object to certain processing;
• request transfer of certain data;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and
• complain to an appropriate data-protection authority.

Not every right applies in every circumstance.

ICO guidance specifically states that privacy notices should explain people's rights and how they can exercise them.

15. How to Exercise Your Rights

To make a privacy-related request, contact:

Email: gradevisehelp@gmail.com

Please include enough information for us to identify your records and understand your request.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

16. Complaints

If you have concerns about how Gradvise handles your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.

Where UK data-protection law applies, you may also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

The ICO recommends that privacy notices explain how individuals can complain about the handling of their personal information.

17. Children's Data

Gradvise's services are primarily intended for university and higher-education students.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children unless there is an appropriate reason and lawful basis for doing so.

If you believe a child has provided personal information to us inappropriately, please contact us.

18. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services.

Gradvise is not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties.

We recommend reviewing their privacy policies before providing personal information.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to:

• our services;
• website technology;
• data-processing practices; or
• applicable legal requirements.

The latest version will be published on this page with an updated revision date.

20. Contact Us

For privacy questions or requests, contact:

Gradvise
Email: gradevisehelp@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +44 7413 468685