Privacy Policy - IELTS Self Study

Last Updated: 6 September 2026

IELTS Self Study (“IELTS Self Study”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal information when you visit or use ieltsselfstudy.com and related services (collectively, the “Services”).

This Privacy Policy is intended to provide information in accordance with applicable UK data protection and privacy laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), as applicable.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully.

1. Who We Are

IELTS Self Study operates an online IELTS preparation and self-study platform providing practice tests, quizzes, learning materials, vocabulary and grammar resources, mock tests, automated assessment and feedback, and other educational services.

For the purposes of applicable UK data protection law, the organisation responsible for your personal information is the data controller for the processing described in this Privacy Policy.

Data Controller: IELTS Self Study

Website: ieltsselfstudy.com

Privacy contact: Please use the contact details provided on our website to contact us about privacy matters.

If IELTS Self Study is operated through a separately registered legal entity, the legal name and registered address of that entity should be inserted here.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use our Services.

2.1 Account Information

If you create an account, we may collect:

Your name
Email address
Username
Password or authentication information
Country or general location
Account preferences
Subscription information

2.2 Learning and Assessment Information

When you use our educational services, we may collect information about your learning activity, including:

Practice test answers
Quiz responses
IELTS Writing submissions
Speaking practice responses, where applicable
Speaking transcripts, where applicable
Scores and estimated scores
Automated assessment results
Feedback provided through the platform
Vocabulary and grammar activity
Test and practice history
Learning progress

This information is used to provide the educational services you request.

2.3 Payment and Subscription Information

When you purchase a subscription or other paid service, payment information may be processed by third-party payment providers such as Stripe and/or PayPal.

We may receive information such as:

Your name
Email address
Transaction reference
Amount paid
Currency
Subscription type
Payment status
Subscription dates

We do not generally store your complete payment card number or security code on our own systems.

Your payment information is processed according to the relevant payment provider’s privacy policy and terms.

2.4 Technical Information

When you access our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device type
Operating system
Language settings
Approximate location derived from IP address
Pages visited
Date and time of visits
Referring website
Website interaction information
Technical and security information

2.5 Communications

If you contact us, we may retain the information contained in your communication, including your email address, name and the contents of your message.

3. How We Use Personal Information

We use personal information for purposes including:

Creating and managing user accounts.
Providing access to the Services.
Processing subscriptions and payments.
Providing practice tests and quizzes.
Recording learning progress.
Providing automated assessment and feedback.
Processing IELTS Writing and other submitted responses.
Providing customer support.
Communicating with you about your account or subscription.
Sending service-related notifications.
Maintaining website security.
Preventing fraud and misuse.
Monitoring and improving website performance.
Improving our educational content and Services.
Understanding how visitors use our website.
Measuring advertising and marketing performance.
Sending marketing communications where permitted by law.
Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.

We will only process personal information where we have a lawful basis to do so.

4. Lawful Bases for Processing

Depending on the circumstances, we may rely on one or more of the following lawful bases under the UK GDPR:

Contract

We may process information where it is necessary to provide a service you have requested or to perform a contract with you.

For example, we may use your account and subscription information to provide access to Premium features.

Legitimate Interests

We may process information where it is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.

Examples may include:

Maintaining website security.
Preventing fraud and abuse.
Managing our Services.
Improving our website.
Responding to customer enquiries.
Analysing service performance.
Protecting our legal rights.

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider the impact of the processing on your rights and interests.

Consent

We may rely on your consent where consent is required or where we choose to rely on consent.

For example, consent may be required for certain cookies, advertising technologies, or electronic marketing communications.

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time.

Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing carried out before consent was withdrawn.

Legal Obligation

We may process personal information where necessary to comply with a legal obligation.

Vital Interests

In limited circumstances, we may process information where necessary to protect someone’s vital interests.

5. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website.

Google Analytics may collect information such as:

Device information
Browser information
IP-related information
Pages visited
Website interactions
Approximate geographic information
Referral information
Usage statistics

We use this information to understand website traffic, identify problems, measure performance and improve our Services.

Where Google Analytics uses cookies or similar technologies that require consent under applicable UK law, we will seek the appropriate consent before placing or using those technologies.

Google may process information outside the UK. International transfers are addressed in Section 12 of this Privacy Policy.

6. Google Ads

We may use Google Ads to advertise IELTS Self Study and to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.

Depending on the technologies enabled on our website, Google Ads may use cookies, advertising identifiers, conversion tracking, or similar technologies.

These technologies may allow us to understand whether visitors have interacted with our advertisements and may help us measure advertising campaigns.

Where consent is required under PECR or applicable data protection law, we will obtain consent before using the relevant advertising or tracking technologies.

You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent controls.

7. Stripe and PayPal

We may use Stripe and PayPal to process payments and subscriptions.

When you make a payment, relevant information may be provided directly to the payment provider.

This may include information such as:

Name
Email address
Billing information
Payment information
Transaction information
Subscription information

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

We recommend reviewing the relevant provider’s privacy information before making a payment.

8. OpenAI and AI-Assisted Services

Some features of IELTS Self Study may use OpenAI or other artificial intelligence technology providers.

For example, AI-assisted systems may be used to:

Analyse IELTS Writing responses.
Provide feedback.
Identify language errors.
Generate explanations.
Assess practice responses.
Generate practice questions or educational content.
Provide other learning assistance.

When you use a feature that requires AI processing, information submitted through that feature may be transmitted to the relevant technology provider so that the requested service can be performed.

Where appropriate, we take steps to ensure that information shared with service providers is limited to what is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

You should not submit sensitive personal information through an IELTS response or other feature unless it is necessary for using the service.

AI-generated feedback is provided for educational purposes and may contain errors. It should not be treated as an official IELTS assessment.

9. WordPress and Other Website Plugins

IELTS Self Study operates using WordPress and may use third-party WordPress plugins and services.

Plugins may process information necessary to provide functions such as:

User authentication
Account management
Security
Forms
Payments
Analytics
Email delivery
Website functionality
Learning management
Spam prevention

The specific information processed depends on the plugins installed and enabled on the website.

We review the services used on our website and seek to use reputable providers that provide appropriate privacy and security safeguards.

10. Email Marketing

We may use an email marketing provider to send newsletters, educational information, service updates, promotional communications, or other messages.

Where required by applicable law, we will obtain your consent before sending direct marketing communications by email.

Marketing emails will normally include an option to unsubscribe.

You can withdraw your consent or unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

Please note that unsubscribing from marketing communications will not necessarily stop important service-related messages, such as subscription, security or account notifications.

11. Cookies and Similar Technologies

IELTS Self Study uses cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies may be used for different purposes, including:

Essential Cookies

These cookies may be necessary for the website to operate, including:

Account login
Authentication
Security
Shopping or subscription functions
Remembering essential settings

Analytics Cookies

We may use analytics technologies, including Google Analytics, to understand how visitors use our website.

Advertising Cookies

We may use advertising technologies, including Google Ads, to measure advertising campaigns and, where permitted, support relevant advertising.

Preference Cookies

These may remember settings or preferences selected by users.

Where applicable under UK law, we will ask for your consent before placing non-essential cookies or using similar technologies that require consent.

You should be able to accept or reject optional cookies through our cookie consent mechanism.

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings.

For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

12. International Transfers

Some of our service providers may be located outside the UK.

This may include technology providers such as Google, Stripe, PayPal, OpenAI and other providers used to operate our website and Services.

Where personal information is transferred outside the UK, we will take steps required by applicable UK data protection law to ensure that the transfer is lawful and that appropriate safeguards are in place.

Depending on the destination and circumstances, this may include relying on UK adequacy regulations, appropriate contractual safeguards such as the UK’s International Data Transfer Agreement or UK Addendum, and any required data protection assessment or other lawful transfer mechanism.

The ICO’s current guidance requires organisations making certain restricted transfers to ensure that the level of protection is not materially lower after the transfer. (ICO)

13. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

The retention period depends on the type of information and why we need it.

For example, we may retain:

Account information while your account remains active.
Subscription and transaction information for as long as necessary to administer the transaction and comply with legal and accounting obligations.
Learning and assessment information while necessary to provide your learning history and requested Services.
Customer-support communications for as long as necessary to handle the relevant enquiry and maintain appropriate records.

We may retain certain information for longer where required by law or where reasonably necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal claims.

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete or anonymise it.

14. Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against:

Unauthorised access
Accidental loss
Destruction
Misuse
Alteration
Unauthorised disclosure

However, no internet transmission or online service can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and should contact us promptly if you believe that your account has been compromised.

15. Sharing Personal Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share personal information with service providers that help us operate IELTS Self Study, including:

Google
Stripe
PayPal
OpenAI
WordPress-related service providers
Hosting providers
Email marketing providers
Security providers
Analytics providers
Customer-support providers

We may also disclose information where reasonably necessary:

To comply with a legal obligation.
To respond to a lawful request from a competent authority.
To protect our rights or property.
To prevent fraud or misuse.
To protect the safety of users or others.
In connection with a business sale, merger, acquisition or restructuring.

Where appropriate, we seek to ensure that third-party processors process personal information only for authorised purposes and provide appropriate security measures.

16. Your Rights Under UK Data Protection Law

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights under UK data protection law, including:

Right of Access

You may request a copy of personal information we hold about you.

Right to Rectification

You may ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

Right to Erasure

In certain circumstances, you may ask us to delete your personal information.

Right to Restriction

In certain circumstances, you may ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information.

Right to Object

You may have the right to object to certain types of processing, including processing based on legitimate interests and certain direct marketing activities.

Right to Data Portability

In certain circumstances, you may request your personal information in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format.

Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we process information based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

These rights are subject to legal conditions and exceptions.

To exercise a right, please contact us using the privacy contact details provided on our website.

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

17. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

Some features of IELTS Self Study may use automated systems or AI to analyse responses and provide educational feedback or estimated performance.

These systems are intended to support learning and are not intended to make decisions about your legal rights or other similarly significant matters.

If we introduce automated decision-making that is subject to specific rights or safeguards under applicable UK data protection law, we will update this Privacy Policy and provide the information and safeguards required by law.

18. Children’s Privacy

IELTS Self Study is not designed to knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent or involvement where required by law.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us without appropriate consent, please contact us.

If we become aware that we have collected information in circumstances where we were not permitted to do so, we will take reasonable steps to address the situation.

19. Marketing and Your Choices

You can control certain communications from us.

You may:

Unsubscribe from marketing emails.
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Adjust cookie preferences.
Contact us regarding your data protection rights.

Essential service communications may still be sent when necessary to operate your account or provide services you have purchased.

20. Third-Party Websites

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

These websites operate independently from IELTS Self Study and may have their own privacy policies.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of third-party websites.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any external website before providing personal information.

21. Data Breaches

If we become aware of a personal data breach, we will assess the breach and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable UK data protection law.

Where notification to the Information Commissioner’s Office or affected individuals is legally required, we will make the required notification within the applicable timeframe.

22. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us first so that we can investigate and attempt to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to complain to the UK’s data protection regulator:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

You can find information about making a complaint on the ICO’s official website.

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

23. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to:

Our Services
The technology we use
Our service providers
Data protection requirements
Our privacy practices

When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy.

Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before making changes that require it.

24. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data protection rights, or have concerns about how we process your information, please contact us through the contact details provided on our website.

IELTS Self Study

Website: ieltsselfstudy.com

Privacy contact: contact@ieltsselfstudy.com

By using IELTS Self Study, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.