At HobbyHorse Academy, we are committed to safeguarding your privacy and protecting the personal information you share with us through our website and app. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data, including additional measures for users under 18 to comply with child-focused data protection regulations.

1. Information We Collect

When using our platform, we may collect the following personal information:

Personal Information:

- Email address, mailing address, and mobile number.

- Parental consent for users under 18, as required by COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act).

App Permissions:

We request certain permissions to enable features, including:

- Camera: For uploading media or participating in activities requiring image capture.

- Storage: To allow users to upload, download, and save files within the app.

Automatically Collected Data:

- Non-personal data such as app usage statistics, crash reports, and device information to enhance the user experience.

2. Use of Collected Information

We collect and use personal information to:

– Fulfill service requests and provide a tailored user experience.

– Notify users of service updates, new features, or relevant offers.

– Improve our platform through data analysis and feedback.

– Ensure child safety by moderating content and interactions.

We do not sell or rent personal information. All data is used solely for the purposes outlined in this policy.

3. Ads and Monetization

- HobbyHorse Academy is ad-free to ensure a safe and uninterrupted experience for all users, especially children. No advertising networks or third-party ads are integrated into our platform.

4. Third-Party Services

Our platform integrates with the following third-party services, which may collect and process data according to their own privacy policies:

- Stripe
- Amazon SES
- Better Messages
- The Events Calendar
- Wordfence Security
- Site Kit by Google
- Google Translate
- WooCommerce
- Elementor
- GamiPress
- Flying Pages
- WPManageNinja LLC products (FluentCommunity, FluentCRM, FluentForms, FluentSMTP)
- Please refer to their respective privacy policies for more information.

We ensure all third-party integrations comply with relevant privacy regulations for child safety and data security.

5. Data Retention

- Personal data is retained for up to 365 days and securely deleted afterward unless required for legal or compliance reasons.

- For users under 18, additional safeguards are in place to minimize data retention and prevent unauthorized access.

6. User Rights

As a user of our platform, you have the following rights concerning your personal data:

- Access: Request details of the personal information we hold.

- Correction: Request corrections to incorrect or incomplete information.

- Deletion: Request the deletion of your data, subject to legal obligations.

- Restriction: Request limitations on how your data is processed.

- Objection: Object to the use of your data for specific purposes.

- Portability: Request to transfer your data to another provider.

For assistance with any of these rights, contact us at [email protected].

7. Children’s Privacy

We take additional steps to ensure the privacy and safety of children:

– Parental Consent: Children under 18 require parental consent to access the platform.

– Moderation: All user-generated content (e.g., posts, chat messages) is actively moderated to prevent inappropriate behavior or content.

– Limited Data Collection: We minimize data collection for children and never collect sensitive information such as payment details directly from users under 18.

– Compliance with Laws: We comply with COPPA (U.S.) and GDPR (EU) regulations to protect children’s privacy.

8. Data Security

We implement advanced security measures to protect your personal data:

- Encryption: All data is encrypted during transmission and storage.

- Access Control: Restricted access to personal information based on user roles.

- Regular Audits: Frequent reviews of data protection measures to prevent breaches.

9. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in regulations or platform features. Users will be notified of significant updates through email or in-app notifications.

10. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, please contact us at:

Address: STUDIO MERLIN, SImončičeva ulica 2, 8210 Trebnje, EUROPE – SLOVENIA

Email: [email protected]

Family Policy

Hobby Horse Academy Family Policy

At Hobby Horse Academy, we are committed to providing a safe, educational, and enjoyable platform for users of all ages, especially children and families. Our Family Policy ensures compliance with Google’s Family Policy requirements while fostering a secure environment for young users and their parents. Below is our detailed policy:

1. Target Audience

Hobby Horse Academy is designed to:

- Engage children, teenagers, and families interested in hobby horse activities.

- Provide a safe community for users aged 13 and above to learn, interact, and participate in hobby horse competitions and training programs.

For users under the age of 18, parental consent is required for account creation and participation.

2. Appropriate Content

We ensure that all content on our platform is:

- Age-appropriate: No content involving violence, explicit language, sexual material, or sensitive themes.

- Educational: Training materials and videos are designed to teach skills in a fun and safe way.

- Engaging and Family-Friendly: Activities and challenges promote learning, creativity, and collaboration.

Our platform strictly prohibits:

- Sharing of explicit, violent, or inappropriate user-generated content.

- Any form of harassment, bullying, or hate speech.

3. Advertisements and Monetization

If ads are displayed on the platform, we ensure:

- Compliance with Google’s Families Ads Program:
  - - Promotions are pre-screened and appropriate for children.
  - - No ads for alcohol, gambling, or other age-restricted content are permitted.

- Transparency in Purchases:
  - - All purchases (e.g., academy membership) are clearly labeled and require explicit consent from the user or their guardian.
  - - No gambling or cash rewards are included.

4. User-Generated Content and Moderation

We value community interaction and ensure a secure environment through:

- Content Moderation:
  - - All posts, chats, and other user-generated content are actively monitored using automated filters and human moderators.
  - - Inappropriate or harmful content is promptly removed.

- Reporting Tools:
  - - Users can report inappropriate behavior or content using a simple and accessible tool within the app.

- Blocking Features:
  - - Users can block others to prevent unwanted interactions.

5. Parental Controls and Consent

Parental Consent:
Required for children under 18 before account creation or purchases. By creating an account or making a purchase, users under 18 confirm that they have obtained parental or guardian consent. This confirmation is given by agreeing to our Terms & Conditions during the account registration process, specifically by checking the acceptance box before account creation.

Restricted Chat Features:
Parents or guardians can request chat restrictions at any time by contacting us at [email protected]. Upon request, we can limit a child’s chat interactions to approved friends or fully disable chat features.

6. Data Privacy

Hobby Horse Academy complies with all applicable data privacy regulations, including:

- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the U.S.

- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU.

We ensure:

- Minimal data collection for users under 18.

- No sharing of children’s data with third parties without explicit parental consent.

- Transparent privacy policies for all users.

7. Educational and Community Focus

Hobby Horse Academy is primarily an educational platform, offering:

- Interactive courses on hobby horse training and skills development.

- Community challenges and competitions to foster a sense of teamwork and achievement.

8. Safety and Anti-Bullying Commitment

To create a safe and positive environment, we:

- Promote kindness and respect in all community interactions.

- Prohibit harassment, bullying, and inappropriate behavior.

- Actively enforce these rules with a dedicated moderation team and automated tools.

9. Accessibility

We aim to make our platform accessible to users of all abilities and backgrounds by:

- Offering multiple languages for courses and interactions.

- Ensuring the website and app comply with accessibility standards.

10. Regular Updates and Reviews

To maintain compliance and improve the user experience:

- Our Family Policy is reviewed regularly to align with evolving standards and regulations.

- Users and parents are notified of significant updates to the policy.

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about our Family Policy, please contact us at: Email: [email protected]

Address: STUDIO MERLIN, Simončičeva ulica 2, 8210 Trebnje, SLOVENIA – EUROPE

We are committed to fostering a safe, family-friendly community and welcome your feedback to enhance our platform.