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Privacy & Cookie Policy

The Global Institute for Architectural Analysis (GIAA) brand, operated by Do The Thing LLC, respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you use our website and related services (the “Platform”). By using the Platform, you agree to the terms described below.

Qatar National Library

1. Who We Are

This website and all certification programs are operated by Do The Thing LLC, based in Albuquerque, NM, USA, under the brand GIAA (Global Institute for Architectural Analysis). All data is collected and processed by Do The Thing LLC.

2. Information We Collect

2.a. Information you provide directly

  • Name, surname, and email address when you create an account or enroll
  • Phone number and country when requested during enrollment
  • Information about your studies or professional background
  • Files or documents you upload for certification review, including assignments and student IDs
  • Communication data when you contact us through our forms

2.b. Information collected automatically

When you browse the site, we collect standard usage data such as IP address, device and browser information, operating system, session duration, pages visited, and referring URLs. This data is used for analytics, performance optimization, and fraud prevention.

3. How We Use Your Data

  • Provide access to learning materials and certification programs
  • Process payments securely via Stripe
  • Communicate important information such as account setup, feedback, or updates
  • Analyze website traffic through Google Analytics 4 and Microsoft Clarity
  • Ensure the security of the Platform using Google reCAPTCHA
  • Send transactional emails such as confirmations and password resets via Mailersend

We do not sell or rent your personal data to any third party.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

If you are located in the European Union or another region with data protection laws, we process your personal data based on your consent, contractual necessity when you enroll or make a payment, and our legitimate interest to maintain platform security and improve services.

5. Data Sharing and Third Party Services

Your data may be shared with trusted third parties strictly for operational reasons:

  • Payment Processing: Stripe (USA / EU) – Used to process payments securely.
  • Email Delivery: Mailersend (EU / USA) – Sends transactional emails such as confirmations and password resets.
  • Analytics: Google Analytics 4 (USA) – Helps us understand website usage and performance.
  • Heatmap and Behavior Analysis: Microsoft Clarity (USA) – Provides anonymized insight into how visitors interact with the site.
  • Security and Spam Protection: Google reCAPTCHA (USA) – Protects forms and login pages against spam and abuse.
  • Hosting: netCup GmbH (Germany) – Provides secure hosting and data storage for this website.

All third party providers are required to handle your data securely and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

6. Data Retention

We retain your data only for as long as necessary to fulfill contractual obligations, comply with legal and tax requirements, and maintain certification records for verification. Inactive accounts may be anonymized or deleted after a reasonable period.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access your data, correct inaccuracies, request deletion, withdraw consent where applicable, and lodge a complaint with a data protection authority. To exercise these rights, please contact us through the Contact page.

8. Security Measures

We use encryption, firewalls, secure hosting with netCup, and restricted access controls to protect your data. No online system is entirely secure, and you acknowledge that transmission over the internet cannot be guaranteed as completely secure.

9. Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device to improve your browsing experience and analyze usage.

  • Essential cookies for login, session management, and secure navigation
  • Analytics cookies used by Google Analytics 4 and Microsoft Clarity
  • Functional cookies to remember preferences and improve usability

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. Using the site without adjusting your settings implies consent to our use of cookies.

10. International Data Transfers

Some service providers may process data outside your country. We take appropriate measures, such as standard contractual clauses, to ensure your information is protected regardless of where it is processed.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect new services, regulations, or technologies. Updates will be posted on this page with a new last updated date. Continued use of the Platform indicates acceptance of the revised terms.

12. Contact

For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us through the Contact page.