Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy (McAfee Institute, LLC)Effective Date: February 2026McAfee Institute, LLC (“McAfee Institute,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the https://www.mcafeeinstitute.comwebsite and related applications, products, and services, including our learning management system (“LMS”), identity/eligibility verification and screening processes, online proctoring, and community/social networking features (collectively, the “Service”).This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information about you when you access or use the Service, and the choices you have associated with that information. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy, terms used have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions.Key DefinitionsServiceThe https://www.mcafeeinstitute.comwebsite, our LMS, mobile experiences, online testing and proctoring functions, verification and screening functions, and community/social features operated by McAfee Institute, LLC.Personal DataInformation that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked (directly or indirectly) with a living individual.Usage DataData collected automatically from use of the Service (for example: pages viewed, time spent, device identifiers, and diagnostic data).CookiesSmall data files stored on your device (computer or mobile device).Data ControllerMcAfee Institute, LLC is the Data Controller of your Personal Data for purposes of this Privacy Policy.Data Processors / Service ProvidersThird parties that process data on our behalf (e.g., hosting, analytics, identity verification, background screening, proctoring technology, and payment processing).Scope of This PolicyThis Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the Service. It does not apply to third-party websites, services, or platforms that you may access through links on the Service, or to services that post their own privacy policies.Information We CollectWe collect information to operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Service, deliver training and credentialing, operate community features, verify identity, confirm eligibility, conduct screening, and protect the integrity of courses, exams, and credentials.1) Information You Provide DirectlyAccount & Profile InformationName, email address, phone number, mailing addressUsername, profile photo, biography, professional details (e.g., organization, role, experience)Preferences and account settings (including privacy settings)Transactions & EnrollmentProgram enrollments, purchase history, invoices/receiptsScholarship/discount eligibility information (as applicable)CommunicationsMessages you send to us (support tickets, email, phone, chat)Messages, posts, comments, reactions, or other content you create within community/social featuresLearning & Assessment Data (LMS)Course progress, completion status, participationQuiz/test responses, assignment submissions, grading feedbackCertificates, badges, and credential records2) Identity Verification & Eligibility InformationTo protect the integrity of our training, credentials, and community, and to meet eligibility requirements, we may collect and process identity and eligibility information, which may include:Government-issued identification (including images of identification documents)Selfie image and/or liveness verificationDate of birthLast four digits of Social Security Number (SSN)Knowledge-based verification information (where applicable)Verification results/status indicators (e.g., “verified,” “not verified,” “review required”)Important: We may use third-party verification providers to validate identity and eligibility. Those providers may process identity data on our behalf to perform verification and help us prevent fraud and unauthorized access.3) Background Checks / Screening (All Enrollees)All enrollees may be subject to screening and/or background checks as part of enrollment, credentialing integrity, platform safety, compliance, and risk management. Screening may include, depending on applicable requirements and permitted by law:Identity confirmation and fraud prevention checksCriminal history checks and/or other legally permissible screeningWatchlist/sanctions checks and related integrity checksStatus indicators and outcomes (e.g., pass/fail, review required)We may collect information necessary to conduct screening and to document completion and outcomes consistent with legal requirements.Identity Photographs: Students participating in McAfee Institute certification programs are required to provide and maintain a current photograph associated with their student account for identity assurance, account integrity, examination integrity, credentialing, fraud prevention, and other legitimate institutional purposes. Identity photographs used for institutional verification do not have to be publicly displayed and may be restricted from public visibility while remaining accessible to authorized McAfee Institute personnel.4) Online Proctoring & Exam Integrity DataTo protect credential integrity and prevent fraud, we use online proctoring for certain assessments. Proctoring may involve the collection and analysis of:Webcam video and/or images during the exam sessionScreen recording and/or screen captureAudio (where enabled by the proctoring method)Browser lockdown / secure browser signalsDevice, network, and session telemetry (e.g., IP address, device identifiers, browser attributes, timestamps)Keystroke dynamics and behavioral signals (e.g., unusual input patterns or activity flags)Potential incident flags and integrity reports (e.g., suspected policy violations)If you do not consent to required proctoring for an exam, you may be unable to take that exam or receive a credential where proctoring is a condition of certification integrity.5) Information Collected AutomaticallyUsage DataIP address, browser type/version, device type, operating systemPages/screens viewed, session duration, referral URLs, clickstream dataDevice identifiers, logs, and diagnostic dataLocation DataWe may use and store location information if you give your device permission. You can enable or disable location services through your device settings.Cookies and Similar Tracking TechnologiesWe use cookies and similar technologies (e.g., pixels, beacons, tags) to operate the Service, remember preferences (including privacy settings), improve performance, support analytics, and assist with marketing.VPN / Proxy / Obfuscation RestrictionsTo protect Service security, identity verification integrity, and exam integrity, we may restrict, block, or deny access when VPNs, proxies, traffic masking, or similar obfuscation tools are detected. Use of such tools may prevent access to some or all Service features, including proctored exams.Examples of Cookies We UseSession Cookies (to operate the Service)Preference Cookies (to remember preferences/settings)Security Cookies (fraud prevention, account protection)You can instruct your browser to refuse cookies or indicate when a cookie is being sent. If you do not accept cookies, some portions of the Service may not function properly.How We Use Your InformationWe use information we collect for purposes including:Providing and operating the Service, including account accessDelivering training, credentialing, and LMS featuresOperating community/social featuresProcessing enrollments and paymentsIdentity verification, eligibility enforcement, and fraud preventionConducting background checks/screening for all enrollees (where permitted/required)Proctoring exams and protecting exam/credential integrityCustomer support and responding to requestsService improvement, analytics, testing, troubleshootingMonitoring usage and detecting/preventing abuse and policy violationsCommunications, including operational notices and permitted marketingLegal and compliance (enforcing Terms, protecting rights, responding to lawful requests)Marketing CommunicationsWe may contact you with newsletters, marketing, or promotional materials. You may opt out using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us.Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR/EEA Users)If you are in the EEA/UK, our legal bases may include:Contract necessity (to deliver programs you enroll in, provide access, issue credentials)Consent (for optional marketing, device permissions, and certain optional features)Legitimate interests (security, fraud prevention, identity verification, background screening where appropriate, proctoring/exam integrity, and improving the Service)Legal obligation (compliance with applicable laws and lawful requests)Social Network Features and Privacy ControlsThe Service includes community/social networking features. You can adjust your account privacy settings to control visibility of your profile and certain activity.Please note:If you post content in areas designed to be public or broadly visible, it may be seen by others according to that feature’s design and your settings.Instructors, moderators, and administrators may access content and account information as necessary to operate the Service, provide support, maintain safety, and enforce policies.Disclosure of Data (How We Share Information)We do not sell Personal Data for profit.We may share information in the following circumstances:1) With Service ProvidersWe may share Personal Data with vendors providing services such as:Hosting, infrastructure, databasesCustomer support toolsAnalytics and performance monitoringEmail/SMS delivery platformsIdentity verification providersBackground screening providersOnline proctoring and exam integrity providersPayment processorsService Providers are authorized to use Personal Data only as necessary to provide services to us and are required to protect it.2) With Other Users (Community Features)If you use community features, certain profile details and content you submit may be visible to other users depending on your settings and the feature design.3) For Legal, Safety, and Security ReasonsWe may disclose information if we believe in good faith it is necessary to:Comply with a legal obligation or lawful requestProtect and defend our rights or propertyPrevent or investigate wrongdoing, fraud, abuse, or security incidentsProtect the safety of users or the publicProtect against legal liability4) Business TransfersIf we are involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality protections.Retention of DataWe retain Personal Data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:Maintaining your account and providing the ServiceMaintaining credential records and compliance documentationEnforcing Terms and resolving disputesVerification, screening, and proctoring data may be retained for additional periods where necessary to:Maintain credential integrity and prevent fraudDocument exam integrity outcomes and address disputes/appealsComply with legal or contractual requirementsUsage Data is generally retained for a shorter period unless needed to improve security or functionality, or to meet legal obligations.International TransfersYour information may be transferred to—and maintained on—servers located outside your jurisdiction, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ.By using the Service and submitting your information, you consent to such transfers. We take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.Security of DataWe use commercially reasonable safeguards designed to protect Personal Data. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.“Do Not Track” SignalsWe do not currently respond to “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. You can enable or disable DNT through your browser settings.Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR/EEA)If you are in the EEA, you may have rights including:Access, correction, or deletion of your Personal DataRestriction or objection to processingData portabilityWithdrawal of consent (where processing is based on consent)We may require identity verification before responding to requests.You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.California Privacy RightsIf you are a California resident, you may have rights to request:Access to categories/specific pieces of personal information collectedDeletion (subject to exceptions)Correction of inaccurate informationInformation about certain disclosures of personal informationWe do not sell Personal Information for profit.To exercise rights, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.Service Providers & AnalyticsGoogle AnalyticsGoogle Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google may use the data collected to track and monitor use of our Service and may share it with other Google services.You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.Behavioral RemarketingWe may use remarketing services to advertise on third-party websites to you after you visited our Service. We and third-party vendors may use cookies to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on past visits to our Service.SMS/MMS Mobile Messaging Marketing ProgramWe respect your privacy. We use information you provide through the Program to transmit mobile messages and respond to you, if necessary. This may include sharing information with platform providers, phone companies, and vendors who assist with message delivery.WE DO NOT SELL, RENT, LOAN, TRADE, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER FOR PROFIT ANY PHONE NUMBERS OR CUSTOMER INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO ANY THIRD PARTY.We may disclose information as necessary to satisfy any law, regulation, or governmental request, avoid liability, or protect our rights/property.California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request certain information regarding disclosure of information provided through the Program to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, contact:McAfee Institute, LLC15450 S. Outer 40rd, STE 135Chesterfield, MO 63034admissions@mcafeeinstitute.comThis section is limited to the Program and does not modify other privacy policies that may apply in other contexts.PaymentsWe may provide paid products and/or services within the Service. We use third-party services for payment processing (e.g., payment processors). We do not store or collect payment card details. That information is provided directly to payment processors and is governed by their privacy policies.Payment processors may include:StripePayPal / BraintreeLinks to Other SitesThe Service may contain links to third-party sites not operated by us. We strongly advise you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit. We are not responsible for third-party content, privacy policies, or practices.Children’s PrivacyThe Service is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from anyone under 18. If we learn we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.Changes to This Privacy PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the effective date. We may also provide notice via email and/or a prominent notice on the Service prior to changes becoming effective.Contact UsIf you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to submit a privacy request, contact us:Email: legal@mcafeeinstitute.comPhone: 888-263-1650Mail: 15450 S Outer 40 Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017