Privacy Policy

This policy explains what information Gratis Global collects, why we collect it, and the choices you have. It applies to our website at gratisglobal.com and to our mobile apps as they become available (together, the "Services").

Gratis Global is a directory of free learning and culture. We link to documentaries, lectures, courses, and other resources that live for free elsewhere on the web. We designed the Services to work with as little personal information as possible, and you can browse most of the catalog without an account.

Information we collect

Information you give us

• Account information. When account features launch, creating an account may require an email address and a password, and optionally a display name. Passwords are handled by our authentication provider and stored in hashed form; we do not see your plain-text password.
• Content you save. If you use personal features such as favorites or watch history, we store those choices so they are available to you across devices.
• Messages. If you email us, we keep your message and contact details to respond and to improve the catalog.

Information we collect automatically

• Usage and device data. Like most sites and apps, we automatically receive information such as your IP address, browser or device type, operating system, referring pages, the pages and resources you view, and the dates and times of your visits.
• Cookies and similar technologies. We and our partners use cookies, mobile advertising identifiers, and similar technologies. See Cookies and similar technologies below.

How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve the Services, including understanding which resources are popular and which links have gone dead.
• Provide account features you choose to use, such as saved favorites and watch history.
• Measure and analyze traffic and usage so we can make the catalog more useful.
• Show and measure advertising that helps keep the Services free.
• Respond to your messages and requests.
• Protect the Services against fraud, abuse, and security threats, and comply with legal obligations.

Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. In our apps, similar roles are played by device identifiers and local storage. We use these technologies for a few distinct purposes:

• Essential. Needed for the Services to function, for example to keep you signed in once account features exist.
• Analytics. To understand how the Services are used so we can improve them. See Analytics.
• Advertising. To show advertising and measure its performance. See Advertising.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, and you can reset or limit advertising identifiers through your device settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how parts of the Services work. Where required by law, we ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies.

Analytics

We use analytics services, including Google Analytics, to understand usage patterns such as which pages are visited and how long visits last. These services set their own cookies or identifiers and process data under their own privacy policies. You can opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Advertising

To keep the documentaries, lectures, and guides free, the Services may display advertising, both on the website and in our apps. We work with third-party advertising partners, which may include Google and its advertising products. These partners may use cookies and mobile advertising identifiers to serve and measure ads, including personalized ads based on your activity over time and across sites and apps.

You have choices about personalized advertising:

• Manage Google ad personalization at Google Ad Settings.
• Opt out of personalized advertising from participating companies at the Digital Advertising Alliance and the Network Advertising Initiative.
• On mobile, reset or limit ad tracking through your device's privacy settings.

Embedded content and outbound links

The Services embed players from third parties such as YouTube and Vimeo, and link out to resources on sites we do not control. Embedded players and linked sites can set their own cookies and collect information about you under their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review the policies of any third-party site or service you use. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of third parties.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as described here:

• Service providers. Companies that help us run the Services, such as our hosting and content delivery provider, our database and authentication provider, our analytics providers, and our advertising partners, process information on our behalf.
• Legal and safety. We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Gratis Global, our users, or others.
• Business transfers. If Gratis Global is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Some advertising and analytics partners act as independent controllers of the data they collect through the Services. Depending on where you live, certain ad-related data sharing may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of personal information under laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act. You can exercise the choices described in Advertising and Your rights.

Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of your personal information, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to opt out of targeted advertising or the "sale" or "sharing" of your information. To exercise any of these rights, email us at contact@gratisglobal.com. We will respond as required by applicable law and will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

If you have an account, you will be able to review and update much of your information directly, and you can ask us to delete your account and associated data at any time.

Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control

Some browsers offer "Do Not Track" or Global Privacy Control signals. Where required by law, we treat a recognized opt-out preference signal as a valid request to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale or sharing of personal information for that browser or device.

Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Analytics and advertising data are retained according to the settings and policies of the relevant providers.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, including access controls and encryption in transit. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children's privacy

The Services are intended for a general audience and are not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

International users

We operate from the United States, and information we collect may be processed in the United States and other countries where we or our providers operate. These countries may have different data protection laws than your own. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards for such transfers.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Services after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your information? Email us at contact@gratisglobal.com.