Privacy Policy

Chapter1 Academy

Effective Date: 01 August 2026

Last Updated: 01 August 2026

1. Introduction

Chapter1 Academy (“Chapter1 Academy”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how Chapter1 Academy collects, uses, stores, protects and otherwise processes personal information when you:

•       visit our website;

•       create or use an account;

•       enrol in or complete a course;

•       interact with instructors or course providers;

•       submit enquiries or forms;

•       purchase courses or other services;

•       receive communications from us;

•       provide or upload educational content;

•       use our online learning platform; or

•       otherwise interact with Chapter1 Academy.

Chapter1 Academy operates in accordance with applicable South African legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA), the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) where applicable, and other applicable laws and regulations.

This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms & Conditions, POPIA Compliance Notice, Cookie Policy, Refund Policy and other policies contained in our Governance Hub.

2. Who We Are

Chapter1 Academy is an online education and learning platform providing access to educational courses, learning resources and related services.

Chapter1 Academy may operate as:

•       an online course provider;

•       a platform through which independent course creators provide educational content;

•       a platform through which professional course providers and instructors provide courses;

•       an administrator of learner accounts, enrolments, assessments and certificates; and

•       a facilitator of online payments and related services.

Depending on the service involved, Chapter1 Academy may act as a responsible party and, where applicable, may process personal information on behalf of or in collaboration with course providers or other authorised parties.For privacy-related enquiries:

Information Officer

Name: Mrs. H Le Roux

Email: info@chapter1academy.co.za

3. Personal Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with Chapter1 Academy, we may collect the following categories of personal information:

3.1 Identity and contact information

This may include:

•       name and surname;

•       email address;

•       telephone/mobile number;

•       postal or physical address where required;

•       username;

•       account information; and

•       other information you voluntarily provide.

3.2 Account and learner information

If you register as a learner, we may collect:

•       username and login information;

•       courses enrolled in;

•       enrolment dates;

•       course progress;

•       lesson completion;

•       quiz and assessment results;

•       assignments or submitted work;

•       certificates issued;

•       course completion information;

•       learner communications; and

•       other information required to administer your learning account.

3.3 Instructor and course-provider information

If you become an instructor, course creator or professional course provider, we may collect:

•       name and contact details;

•       professional information;

•       qualifications and experience where relevant;

•       organisation/business information;

•       course information;

•       banking or payment information where required;

•       contractual information;

•       correspondence;

•       uploaded educational materials; and

•       information necessary to administer your relationship with Chapter1 Academy.

3.4 Transaction and payment information

Where you purchase a course or service, we may collect information relating to:

•       products or courses purchased;

•       transaction amount;

•       transaction date;

•       order information;

•       payment status;

•       invoices and receipts; and

•       limited payment-related information.

Payments may be processed through third-party payment providers, including PayFast and/or other payment providers that Chapter1 Academy may use in the future.

Chapter1 Academy does not ordinarily require or store your full bank-card details where these are processed directly by the applicable payment provider.

3.5 Communications and enquiries

If you contact us, submit a form or communicate with Chapter1 Academy, we may retain:

your name;

•       contact details;

•       the content of your enquiry;

•       attachments you provide; and

•       correspondence and related records.

3.6 Technical information

When you use our website or learning platform, certain technical information may be automatically collected, including:

•       IP address;

•       browser type;

•       operating system;

•       device type;

•       pages visited;

•       date and time of access;

•       referring website;

•       technical logs;

•       error information;

•       security-related information; and

•       other information generated through normal website operation.

4. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information:

•       directly from you;

•       when you register an account;

•       when you purchase or enrol in a course;

•       when you complete a form;

•       when you contact us;

•       when you communicate with an instructor or course provider;

•       when you upload content;

•       automatically through website technologies;

•       through payment providers;

•       through service providers assisting us in operating the Academy; and

•       from other lawful sources where permitted by law.

5. Why We Use Personal Information

We may process personal information for purposes including:

•       creating and managing accounts;

•       providing access to courses;

•       administering learner progress;

•       processing enrolments;

•       processing payments;

•       issuing certificates;

•       administering assessments;

•       communicating with learners, instructors and course providers;

•       responding to enquiries;

•       providing customer support;

•       managing course providers and instructors;

•       administering agreements;

•       preventing fraud and abuse;

•       maintaining website security;

•       improving website and course functionality;

•       monitoring platform performance;

•       complying with legal obligations;

•       maintaining appropriate business and financial records;

•       resolving complaints and disputes;

•       enforcing our Terms & Conditions; and

•       protecting the rights, property and safety of Chapter1 Academy and its users.

6. Lawful Processing

Chapter1 Academy will process personal information in accordance with POPIA and other applicable legislation.

Depending on the circumstances, processing may be necessary because:

you have provided consent;

•       processing is necessary to perform a contract with you;

•       processing is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract;

•       processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation;

•       processing is necessary to protect a legitimate interest; or

•       another lawful basis recognised under applicable law applies.

Where consent is relied upon, you may withdraw consent subject to applicable legal and contractual limitations.

Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred before withdrawal.

7. Course Providers, Instructors and Third Parties

Chapter1 Academy may operate as a platform through which independent course creators, instructors and professional course providers provide educational services.

Where applicable, personal information may be shared with or made available to authorised course providers or instructors where reasonably necessary to:

•       administer a course;

•       confirm enrolment;

•       monitor learner participation;

•       assess submitted work;

•       communicate with learners;

•       issue certificates;

•       provide learner support; or

•       fulfil contractual or educational obligations.

Course providers and instructors who receive personal information through the Chapter1 Academy platform are required to handle such information responsibly and in accordance with applicable law, their contractual obligations and relevant Chapter1 Academy policies.

They may not use learner information for unrelated purposes without an appropriate lawful basis.

8. Children’s Personal Information

Chapter1 Academy recognises that children’s personal information requires particular care.

Where Chapter1 Academy knowingly processes personal information relating to a child, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that such processing complies with POPIA and other applicable legal requirements.

Where required by law, appropriate consent or authorisation will be obtained from a competent person before processing a child’s personal information.

Course providers, instructors and users must not upload or disclose personal information relating to children through the platform unless they have the necessary lawful authority to do so.

9. Special Personal Information

Chapter1 Academy may, depending on the course or service involved, receive information that could constitute special personal information under POPIA.

Users and course providers should not submit special personal information unless it is reasonably necessary for the relevant educational, administrative or contractual purpose and there is an appropriate lawful basis for processing.

Where such information is processed, Chapter1 Academy will take reasonable steps to protect it against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

10. Media

Chapter1 Academy may publish or display images, photographs, videos, audio recordings, graphics, documents and other media for educational, promotional, informational and operational purposes.

Where identifiable individuals appear in media, Chapter1 Academy will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate consent or another lawful basis has been obtained where required.

Course providers, instructors and authorised contributors are responsible for ensuring that media they upload does not unlawfully disclose personal information or infringe the rights of another person.

Users must not upload photographs, videos, documents or other media containing another person’s personal information without the necessary authority, consent or other lawful basis.

Particular care must be taken when media identifies children or vulnerable persons.

11. Analytics

Chapter1 Academy may collect and use technical, usage and statistical information to operate, secure, maintain and improve its website and online learning platform.

The website operates using WordPress. WordPress itself does not, by default, provide Chapter1 Academy with a separate website visitor-analytics service. However, our hosting provider may record technical information in server logs for security, maintenance and performance purposes.

Chapter1 Academy uses Tutor LMS and Tutor LMS Pro, which may provide learning and administrative analytics relating to matters such as:

•       enrolments;

•       learner progress;

•       course completion;

•       assessment activity;

•       course performance;

•       instructor activity;

•       reviews;

•       revenue and transaction information; and

•       related platform activity.

Rank Math SEO may also be used to provide website search-engine optimisation functionality and, where relevant services are connected or enabled, may display information obtained from third-party services.

Chapter1 Academy may introduce additional analytics services in the future. Where analytics technologies require consent under applicable law, the appropriate consent mechanism will be used.

Visitors may withdraw or change applicable cookie consent through the website’s Privacy Settings/Cookie Settings mechanism.

12. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Chapter1 Academy may use cookies and similar technologies to:

•       operate the website;

•       maintain login sessions;

•       remember preferences;

•       provide security;

•       support course functionality;

•       facilitate shopping and payments;

•       improve website performance;

•       understand website usage; and

•       support analytics where applicable.

Cookies may be placed by Chapter1 Academy or by third-party service providers.

Further information is contained in our Cookie Policy.

Where required by law, non-essential cookies will only be activated after appropriate consent has been obtained.

13. WordPress and Website Technology

Chapter1 Academy uses WordPress as its website management and content-management platform.

WordPress may process technical information necessary for the operation, security and administration of the website.

Chapter1 Academy may also use WordPress plugins and extensions that process information in order to provide specific website functionality.

These may include, but are not limited to:

•       Elementor – website design and page-building functionality;

•       Tutor LMS and Tutor LMS Pro – learning management, enrolments, learner progress, assessments and course administration;

•       Tutor LMS Certificate Builder – certificate generation and administration;

•       Tutor LMS Elementor Addons – integration and display functionality;

•       WooCommerce – online commerce, orders and purchasing functionality;

•       WooCommerce PayFast Gateway – integration with PayFast for payment processing;

•       MailPoet – email communication and newsletter functionality;

•       WPForms Lite – online forms and enquiries;

•       Presto Player – video playback and related media functionality;

•       Rank Math SEO – search-engine optimisation and related website functionality;

•       Wordfence Security – website security, threat detection and protection;

•       SpeedyCache – website caching and performance optimisation;

•       UpdraftPlus – website backup and restoration;

•       Web Accessibility – WCAG Scanning, Guided Fixes, Usability Widget – accessibility monitoring and support;

•       Media Library Organizer – management and organisation of website media;

•       Loco Translate – translation and language-management functionality;

•       Ultimate Addons for Elementor and other Elementor extensions – additional website design and functionality; and other plugins, integrations or services that Chapter1 Academy may introduce from time to time.

Not every plugin necessarily processes personal information independently, and the specific information processed will depend on how each plugin is configured and used.

Chapter1 Academy may update this Privacy Policy where material changes are made to the technologies or services used by the Academy.

14. Email Communications

Chapter1 Academy may use MailPoet and other email services to send:

•       account-related communications;

•       course-related communications;

•       enrolment information;

•       certificates or course notifications;

•       administrative notices;

•       customer-service communications;

•       newsletters; and

•       promotional communications where permitted.

Marketing communications will include an appropriate method for unsubscribing where required.

Unsubscribing from marketing communications does not necessarily stop essential transactional or account-related communications.

15. Payments

Chapter1 Academy may use WooCommerce to administer purchases and orders.

Payments may be processed through PayFast or another payment service provider.

Payment providers may process personal and transaction information in accordance with their own privacy policies and terms.

Chapter1 Academy will only process payment-related information reasonably necessary to administer transactions, refunds, records, fraud prevention and legal or accounting obligations.

16. Security

Chapter1 Academy takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

•       loss;

•       damage;

•       unauthorised access;

•       unauthorised disclosure;

•       misuse;

•       alteration; and

•       destruction.

The website may use Wordfence Security and other security technologies to protect the website against malicious activity, unauthorised access, automated attacks, spam and other security threats.

Security systems may process technical information such as IP addresses, login activity, browser information and security-event information where necessary to protect the platform.

No online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users are responsible for keeping their passwords confidential and must notify Chapter1 Academy if they suspect unauthorised access to their account.

17. Backups and Disaster Recovery

Chapter1 Academy may use UpdraftPlus and other backup technologies to create backups of website and database information.

Backups may contain information stored within the Chapter1 Academy website, including account information, course information, orders, forms, website content and other data necessary to restore the platform.

Backups are maintained for operational continuity, disaster recovery, security and business purposes and will be retained in accordance with Chapter1 Academy’s retention practices.

18. Video and Educational Content

Chapter1 Academy may use third-party video-hosting, video-player or content-delivery services to provide course videos and other educational media.

Presto Player may be used to provide video-player functionality.

Where third-party video-hosting services are used, those providers may process technical information associated with video playback, including IP address, device and browser information and viewing-related information.

Chapter1 Academy may introduce additional video-hosting providers as the platform develops.

Where applicable, the relevant third-party provider’s privacy policy will apply to information processed directly by that provider.

19. Forms and Enquiries

Chapter1 Academy may use WPForms Lite and other form technologies to collect information submitted through website forms.

Information submitted through forms may include:

•       name;

•       email address;

•       telephone number;

•       enquiry details;

•       attachments; and

•       other information voluntarily provided.

•       Such information will be used for the purpose for which it was submitted and for related administrative or customer-service purposes.

20. Search Engine Optimisation

Chapter1 Academy may use Rank Math SEO and similar tools to improve website visibility, search-engine performance and website structure.

Where integrations with third-party services are enabled, information may be exchanged with those services in accordance with their applicable terms and privacy policies.

21. Accessibility

Chapter1 Academy may use accessibility tools, including Web Accessibility – WCAG Scanning, Guided Fixes, Usability Widget, to identify accessibility issues and improve the accessibility and usability of the website.

Where such tools process technical or usage information, the information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

22. Third-Party Service Providers

Chapter1 Academy may use third-party providers to support:

•       website hosting;

•       website security;

•       payment processing;

•       email delivery;

•       video hosting;

•       analytics;

•       backups;

•       website performance;

•       accessibility;

•       course administration;

•       customer support;

•       communications;

•       accounting and financial administration; and

•       other legitimate operational functions.

Third-party providers may process personal information only to the extent reasonably necessary to provide their services or where otherwise lawfully permitted.

Where appropriate, Chapter1 Academy will seek contractual or other safeguards governing the processing of personal information by service providers.

23. International Transfers

Some third-party service providers used by Chapter1 Academy may store or process information outside South Africa.

Where personal information is transferred outside South Africa, Chapter1 Academy will take reasonable steps to ensure that such transfers comply with POPIA and other applicable legal requirements.

This may include assessing the destination country’s data-protection framework and/or implementing appropriate contractual, consent-based or other lawful safeguards where required.

24. Retention of Personal Information

Chapter1 Academy will retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, unless:

•       a longer period is required by law;

•       a longer period is required for legitimate business or legal purposes;

•       the information is required for dispute resolution;

•       the information is required to establish, exercise or defend legal rights; or

•       another lawful basis for retention exists.

Different categories of information may therefore have different retention periods.

25. Data Subject Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

•       request access to personal information held about you;

•       request correction or updating of inaccurate information;

•       request deletion of information where legally permissible;

•       object to certain processing;

•       withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;

•       request restriction of processing where applicable;

•       object to direct marketing;

•       lodge a complaint concerning the processing of your personal information; and

•       exercise other rights available under POPIA.

Requests should be directed to the Chapter1 Academy contact details provided below.

26. Direct Marketing

Chapter1 Academy may send information about courses, educational opportunities, services or other offerings where permitted by applicable law.

Where required, Chapter1 Academy will obtain consent before sending electronic direct marketing communications.

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism provided or by contacting us.

27. Data Breaches and Security Incidents

If Chapter1 Academy becomes aware of a security compromise that results in or is reasonably likely to result in unauthorised access to or acquisition of personal information, Chapter1 Academy will take appropriate steps in accordance with POPIA and applicable law.

This may include investigating the incident, containing the breach, implementing remedial measures and notifying affected persons and/or the Information Regulator where legally required.

28. Links to Other Websites

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

Chapter1 Academy is not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of external websites.

Users should review the privacy policies of third-party websites before providing personal information.

29. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Chapter1 Academy may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

•       changes to our services;

•       changes to our technology;

•       new plugins or third-party services;

•       changes in applicable law;

•       changes to our data-processing practices; or

•       other operational developments.

The updated version will be published on the Chapter1 Academy website and the Last Updated date will be amended accordingly.20. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact:

Information Officer

Chapter1 Academy

Information Officer: Mrs. H Le Roux

Email: info@chapter1academy.co.za

21. Complaints

If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).