Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Choice Abroad ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, stores, and shares personal data when you use https://www.choiceabroad.ie and related study abroad consultancy services.

We process personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Irish data protection law. This notice is provided for transparency; it is not a substitute for tailored legal advice.

2. Who We Are

Choice Abroad is the organisation responsible for this website and for the personal data described in this policy.

Contact: info@choiceabroad.ie · Contact form

3. Personal Data We Collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• Identity and contact data — name, email address, phone number.
• Enquiry data — subject, message, preferred destination, university, or course, and other details you submit.
• Referral data — referrer and friend names and emails, and related programme information.
• Webinar registration data — name, email, phone, country (where provided).
• Technical data — IP address, browser type, device information, and security signals used to protect forms (for example Cloudflare Turnstile).
• Communication data — records of emails or messages we exchange with you about your enquiry.

We do not ask you to submit special-category data through public website forms. Please avoid including sensitive health or similar information in free-text messages unless we specifically request it through a secure process.

4. How We Collect Data

• Directly from you via contact forms, Start Your Journey, Refer a Friend, webinar registration, and email.
• Automatically through necessary security and site operation technologies (including bot protection).
• From referrers, when someone invites you through our Refer a Friend programme.

5. Why We Use Your Data

We use personal data to:

• Respond to enquiries and provide study abroad counselling.
• Administer referrals, webinars, and related programmes.
• Send service-related messages (acknowledgements, follow-ups, appointment details).
• Protect our website against spam and abuse (including captcha verification).
• Improve our services and maintain records required for operations and compliance.
• Comply with legal obligations.

6. Legal Bases

Depending on the activity, we rely on one or more of the following GDPR bases:

• Consent — where you agree to a specific processing activity (for example certain marketing or optional cookies, where implemented).
• Contract / steps prior to contract — to respond to your request for counselling or related services.
• Legitimate interests — to operate and secure our website, prevent fraud, and improve services, balanced against your rights.
• Legal obligation — where we must retain or disclose information to meet legal requirements.

7. Sharing Your Data

We may share personal data with:

• Service providers who help us operate the site and communications (for example hosting, email delivery, security providers such as Cloudflare).
• Partner universities or education providers, only where relevant to your enquiry and with an appropriate basis (for example your request that we assist with an application).
• Professional advisers or authorities where required by law.

We do not sell your personal data.

8. International Transfers

Some providers may process data outside the European Economic Area. Where that occurs, we take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place as required by GDPR.

9. Retention

We keep personal data only as long as needed for the purposes above, including responding to enquiries, administering programmes, resolving disputes, and meeting legal or accounting requirements. Retention periods vary by record type.

10. Security

We use technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure.

11. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies that are necessary for security and core functionality (including bot protection on forms). Where we use non-essential cookies or analytics in future, we will provide appropriate information and choices as required by applicable ePrivacy rules.

12. Your Rights

Under GDPR you may have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or object to certain processing, and to data portability, where applicable. You may also withdraw consent where processing is consent-based.

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@choiceabroad.ie. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission (www.dataprotection.ie).

13. Children

Our services are aimed at prospective students and adults assisting them. If you believe we have collected data from a child inappropriately, please contact us so we can delete it where required.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The version on this page is the current version.

15. Contact

For privacy questions, email info@choiceabroad.ie or use our Contact page.