Privacy Policy
Digital Skills Hub Privacy Policy
Effective date: June 3rd, 2025
The ConnectUS Digital Skills Hub is a nonprofit program that helps Central Ohio residents build digital skills. Were committed to protecting your privacy and being clear about how we use your information.
This privacy policy explains:
- What information we collect and how we collect it
- How we use your information
- When and why we might share it
- How we protect your data
- Your choices and rights
By using the Digital Skills Hub website or signing up for a course, you agree to the practices described here.
Your Privacy at a Glance
What information are you collecting?
We collect basic details you choose to share, like your name, contact info, language preference, and your learning goals. Some info is needed to sign up for classes.
Why do you need this information?
We use it to run the Digital Skills Hub program, like registering you for the right class, offering support, and improving future courses.
Will you share my information?
Only with trusted partners helping run the program, and only as needed. We never sell your data or share it for marketing.
How do you protect my data?
We use secure systems and limit access to trained staff and partners. If something goes wrong, we’ll notify you.
Do I have a choice?
Yes! You can ask to see, update, or delete your info at any time. You can also choose not to answer optional questions or receive promotional material.
I have another question.
Reach out to us at dec@smartcolumbus.com. We’re here to help.
What Information We Collect, and How
We collect personal information you choose to share when you:
- Register for a course
- Fill out a survey
- Participate in program activities
- Contact us with a question
This may include:
- Contact details: Your name, phone number, email, and address
- Basic background info: Age, gender, household size, income range, and county of residence
- Language and education: Your language preference, education level, and employment status
- Technology access and comfort: Details about how you use technology (like whether you have internet or a computer at home), and how confident you feel using digital tools
- Learning goals: The topics or skills you want to learn
- Feedback: Your thoughts about the classes and instructors
- Follow-up participation: If you agree to do surveys or interviews after your course to help us improve the program
We collect this information through online forms and surveys. If we ever need to collect info from another source, we’ll ask for your permission first.
Note: You don’t have to share everything. But some details, like your name and contact info, are required so we can register you and communicate about the class.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to run the Digital Skills Hub program, such as:
- Register you for classes, send updates about class schedules or changes, and confirm eligibility (e.g. residency in Central Ohio)
- Provide support that works for you, like adjusting support based on your language or tech comfort
- Improve the program using feedback and survey responses
- Measure program impact, such as how many people complete courses or feel more confident online. With your permission, this can include contacting you after the program for a follow-up.
- Share general results with funders, like the number of participants or overall improvements (this data is grouped together and not connected to your name)
- Send you information about future opportunities, but only if you tell us you want this
- Respond to your questions or requests
We don’t use your data for anything outside of the Digital Skills Hub unless you say it’s okay. We don’t use automated decision-making, and we don’t sell or rent your information.
When We Share Your Information
We only share your information in limited situations:
- With partner organizations who help run classes. If a partner is teaching your class, we’ll share your name and contact info so they can reach you. They
must keep it private and use it only for the class. - With funders, like local government or community organizations. They may ask for reports on how the program is going. We only share grouped data with
them, not your name or contact info. If they ever need specific information (for instance, for an audit or specific case follow-up), we’ll only share it under strict privacy rules. - With service providers that help us run the website, surveys, or data systems. These providers can only use your info to support the program, and we make sure they protect your data.
- If required by law or for safety. For example, if a court or government asks for info, or if we need to share it to prevent fraud or harm. We’ll only share what’s legally necessary and will let you know if we can.
We may also share general, anonymous summaries, like “100 residents gained new digital skills through the program” or “75% of participants reported increased confidence online,” but not your name or anything else that could identify you.
We do not:
- Sell or rent your information
- Share it for marketing purposes
How We Protect Your Data
We take your privacy seriously. Here’s how we keep your data safe:
- Secure transmission: Our website uses encryption (like SSL/TLS) to protect any information you send.
- Secure storage: Your data is stored on protected servers. Only authorized staff (for example, program administrators or instructors) can access it.
- Staff training: Everyone who handles your information is trained to follow privacy rules and must follow the guidelines of this privacy policy.
- Trusted tools: We only use third-party tools (such as survey or data management tools) that meet strong security standards. We have
agreements in place to ensure they protect your information, and we use it only for program purposes.
While no system of transmitting or storing data is 100% secure, we monitor and update our protections regularly. If anything ever happens to your data, we will notify you and take proper steps in line with applicable laws and best practices.
Your Rights and Choices
Your participation in the Digital Skills Hub is voluntary, and you’re in control of your information. Here’s what you can do:
- Skip optional questions, or say no to follow-up surveys. We may ask you to give feedback after your class. It’s totally up to you. You can decline these
requests with no impact on your current or future participation in our programs. We appreciate any feedback you choose to provide, but we respect your decision if you opt not to take part. - Update your info. Moved? Changed your number? Just contact us, and we’ll fix it.
- Ask what we know. You can request a copy of the personal information we have about you.
- Ask us to delete your data. We’ll remove your information from our active systems if you no longer want to participate. (We may keep anonymized data or info we need for reporting, but it won’t identify you.)
- Unsubscribe anytime. If you signed up to hear about future courses or resources, you can opt out at any time. We’ll still contact you about your current class if needed. We will not send you promotional emails if you opt out.
If you have questions or concerns, we’re happy to talk. Your comfort and trust matter to us, and we want you to feel in control of your personal data.
Contact Us
If you have questions or want to make a request about your information, contact us at:
Email: dec@smartcolumbus.com
We’re here to help.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes in the program, laws, or tools we use. When we do, we’ll update the “Effective Date” at the top. Please check this page occasionally if you want to stay informed.
Thank you for taking the time to read our privacy policy. We care deeply about protecting your privacy while helping you grow your digital skills!
If you have any questions or feedback about this policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your privacy and confidence in our program are extremely important to us.
