Cookie Policy for OpenEDG Python Institute

This Cookie Policy explains how OpenEDG Python Institute ("we," "our," "us") uses cookies and similar technologies on www.pythoninstitute.org. It is designed to help you understand what cookies are, how we use them, and the choices you have regarding their use, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and other applicable laws.

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, improve user experience, and provide information to the site operators. Some cookies are essential for delivering secure and reliable educational services, such as course access, exam delivery, or secure login.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to support educational services, improve your browsing and learning experience, analyze site traffic, provide social media features, and, in limited cases, support marketing. Cookies may be set by our website ("first-party cookies") or by trusted third parties ("third-party cookies").

Types of Cookies We Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies – they are always active. These are essential for operating our website and services (e.g., secure logins, exam delivery, session management). Without them, core services cannot function.
Performance & Analytics Cookies – they help us understand how visitors and learners use our site (e.g., page visits, time on site). This data is aggregated and not used to personally identify students.
Functional Cookies – they enable enhanced features and personalization, such as remembering language preferences or accessibility settings.
Advertising & Social Media Cookies – these may be set by third parties when you interact with external content (e.g., YouTube videos, social sharing buttons). They are never used to profile or target children or student accounts.

Cookies in Educational Contexts

Because we provide educational services, additional protections apply:

FERPA – we do not use cookies to disclose or share personally identifiable student information without consent. Any educational records are handled in compliance with FERPA.
COPPA – we do not knowingly collect or use personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. Advertising and tracking cookies are disabled for such users.
GDPR – in the EU, parental consent is required for processing data of children under the applicable national minimum age (13–16). We do not profile or target minors for advertising purposes.

Disabling or Managing Cookies

On your first visit we show a banner informing you that we use cookies. You can control cookies via your browser settings or, where available, our on-site cookie controls. Disabling cookies may impact features like secure login, courses, and exams.

In regions that require consent, we show a consent interface and do not set non-essential cookies until you choose to allow them.

Examples of Cookies We May Set

Email newsletter cookies – to remember if you are subscribed and whether to display relevant messages.
Survey cookies – to track participation in surveys and ensure accurate results.
Form cookies – to remember your details when submitting forms (e.g., contact forms).
Preference cookies – to save user settings such as interface language or course layout.

Third-Party Cookies

We may use trusted third-party services that set cookies, including:

Google Analytics – to understand site usage and improve services. Data is aggregated and anonymized. See Google Privacy Policy.
Other analytics tools – used to improve website performance and user experience.
Testing & optimization tools – used to test new features and ensure a consistent learning experience.
E-commerce and payment providers – used to process purchases securely and track necessary transaction data.
Social media plugins – Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other platforms may set cookies when you interact with embedded content. These are subject to the respective platform’s privacy policies.

From time to time, we test new features and make small adjustments to how the site is delivered. During these tests, cookies may be used to ensure you receive a consistent experience and to help us understand which improvements our users value most.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

Access and request a copy of personal data collected via cookies.
Request correction or deletion of your personal data.
Withdraw consent for non-essential cookies at any time, or object to processing where applicable.
Request portability of certain data, where required by law.
Request parental access and control of student data (for parents/guardians under FERPA or COPPA).

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for cross-context behavioral advertising or any other sale/share purpose.

To exercise your rights or ask questions, contact us at compliance@openedg.org.

More Information

For more details about how we handle your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy.

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, contact us at compliance@openedg.org.