Privacy Policy

The Expert Institute Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("The Expert Institute," "TEI," "we," and "us") has provided this privacy policy (“Privacy Policy” or “Policy”) to explain how TEI obtains, utilizes, shares and safeguards information collected from or about you. This Privacy Policy applies to information that TEI may collect from you or about you or that you may provide on the website owned and controlled by TEI, www.expertinstitute.com (the "Website"). This Privacy Policy supplements but does not replace other applicable terms and conditions that you have agreed to related to TEI. To the extent that specific terms and conditions conflict with this Privacy Policy, this Privacy Policy shall govern.

If you are a California resident, please also see “Privacy Information for California Residents” for supplemental California-specific privacy information. If you are a resident of a country outside of the United States, please see “Privacy Information for International Residents” for additional information for your specific jurisdiction, as applicable.

Please read this Policy carefully to understand our policies and practices regarding your information and how we will treat it, including any rights you may have. By visiting or using our Website, or by uploading or submitting any information through the Website to The Expert Institute, you consent to the collection, use and transfer of your information pursuant to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our Policy, your choice is not to use our Website. This Policy may change from time to time. Your continued use of our Website after we make changes is deemed to be acceptance of those changes, so please check the Policy periodically for updates.

INFORMATION COLLECTION

Information We Collect About You.

In the course of using our Website, TEI may ask users for their name, contact information, employment information, biographical information, information regarding your areas of expertise, statement of qualifications, fee schedule, references, and any feedback you provide, or any other information you provide through the Website.

Information Collected Automatically.

We may collect additional information from you automatically in accordance with applicable privacy laws. This information is referred to herein as "Usage Information." Such Usage Information may include information that we automatically collect when you use the Website, such as your IP addresses, browser type and language, referring and exit pages and URLs, date and time, amount of time spent on particular pages, what sections of the Website you visit, similar information concerning your use of the Website, and information about your online activities over time and across third-party websites or other online services. As you navigate through and interact with our Website, we may use automatic data collection technologies, such as cookies, pixels, local storage and similar technologies, to collect such Usage Information. Cookies are small packets of data that a website stores on your computer's hard drive so that your computer will "remember" information about your visit. We use cookies to help us collect Usage Information and to improve Website performance, personalization and security, and integrate third-party analytics as advertising tools as applicable. Additionally, we may monitor and analyze your activity on the Website to improve your experience, which may include use of session replay software or other similar tools.

In general, TEI uses cookies and similar technologies in the following ways:

- Essential Services – Required for core functionality such as authentication, fraud prevention, security, and delivering services you’ve requested. Essential services cookies and similar technologies cannot be turned off.

- Analytics – Helps us analyze visitor behavior, track conversions, and improve website performance.

- Behavioral Advertising – Enables personalized advertising based on your browsing activity and inferred interests.

- Other Personalization – Enhances your experience by tailoring site content and recommendations to your preferences.

Information We Receive from Other Sources

From time to time, we may also receive information about you from our third-party service providers, affiliates, customers, and partners, including our marketing, conference, and advertising partners and social media networks, your references, your employer, and your agents. We may also collect and display information about you from publicly available sources, including social media or information transmitted by other users of the Website or third parties, or professional boards. Please note that TEI is not responsible for the information contained in the publicly available sources. For removal or correction of information from publicly available sources, please contact the source of the information.

INFORMATION USAGE

The personal information that you provide to TEI may be stored, processed, and used by TEI and its affiliates for the following purposes:

1. To provide our products and services and present our Website and its contents to you;
2. To provide you with information that you request from us, including updates, notifications, and details of any offers or promotions;
3. To provide you with text communications which may include marketing materials with your consent;
4. To provide you with notices about your account;
5. To comply with our legal obligations or requests from law enforcement and government agencies;
6. To analyze information for trends and statistics;
7. To enforce or protect the terms of our services, rights, property, safety, or that of our users or third parties;
8. For our internal business purposes, such as for detecting and preventing fraud;
9. As part of due diligence for, or the consummation or, a transaction involving the merger, sale, divestiture, or other transaction involving the equity or assets or TEI;
10. To match you with consulting opportunities if applicable;
11. To match an expert with your consulting requirements if applicable;
12. To provide you with information about our products and services or to send you surveys, promotional materials, newsletters, or special offers;
13. To serve you personalized advertisements on other websites or platforms, and to build similar audiences; and
14. For any other purpose permitted by applicable law or with your consent.

DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION

TEI may disclose your information with third parties as follows:

1. With experts, clients or contractors as the case may be, in an effort to make an engagement possible and in accordance with the Client Terms & Conditions and Expert iQ Terms of Service, as applicable;
2. To our partners and service providers that assist us in providing services offered through the Website, including, but not limited to, services related to processing payments, background checks, information technology support, and customer service;
3. As applicable, with advertising networks or social media platforms to deliver personalized ads, measure campaign performance, or build lookalike audiences;
4. To the extent permitted by law, we may also disclose personal information and the Usage Information when required by law, court order, or other government or law enforcement authority or regulatory agency, or whenever we believe that disclosing such information is necessary or advisable, for example, to protect the rights, property, or safety of The Expert Institute or others;

In the event of a corporate sale, merger, reorganization, sale of assets, dissolution, or similar event, the personal information and Usage Information may be disclosed or a part of the transferred assets; or

In accordance with the consent you’ve provided.

YOUR CHOICES

Privacy Preferences Center:

Depending on your state or country of residence, we provide a jurisdiction-aware Privacy Preferences Center accessible via the jurisdiction-aware cookie banner that lets you view and change the way we use cookies and similar technologies in real time. Default settings are based on the laws of your jurisdiction, and your opt out rights may vary by jurisdiction.

Global Privacy Control (GPC):

When we detect a valid GPC signal, we treat it as a request to opt out of targeted advertising and the “sharing” of personal information under applicable laws.

Do Not Track (DNT):

Except for GPC, we do not respond to other browser-based signals such as legacy Do Not Track headers.

Google Analytics:

You can opt out of Google Analytics by:

- Changing your settings at Google’s Ad Settings at: http://www.google.com/settings/ads

- Installing an opt-out browser add-on available at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/

- Adjusting the settings on your web browser: See http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/technologies/managing

Email Marketing

You may choose not to receive marketing materials regarding from TEI by simply notifying TEI at info@expertinstitute.com or by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email communication. Upon receipt and processing of an “opt-out” request, TEI will remove your information from any future unsolicited marketing communications in accordance with applicable law. Your request regarding marketing materials will not apply to information that you request to receive or that is transactional.

SMS Terms & Conditions:

By subscribing to Expert Institute SMS services, you agree to receive text messages from us. Expert Institute will send SMS messages to communicate with clients and customers regarding status updates on their matters, scheduling, onboarding, and other relevant service information to provide an enhanced customer experience. For HELP, please contact us at (888) 858-9511. To opt out of receiving messages, reply with “STOP” at any time. Message frequency may vary. Standard message and data rates may apply.

1. Text / SMS Communications

If you choose to opt in to SMS communications from Expert Institute, you will receive text messages at the mobile number you provide.

2. Frequency of Messages

Message frequency may vary based on your requested services, account activity, and ongoing communication needs. You will receive messages relevant to your interactions with Expert Institute (e.g., scheduling, onboarding, periodic updates).

3. Opt-Out, Preferences, and Support Options

You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by texting “STOP.” Upon receipt of your opt-out request, you will be unsubscribed and will no longer receive text messages from us. A confirmation message will be sent to confirm that you have unsubscribed. Should you wish to re-subscribe, you may text “UNSTOP”.

• For assistance with the messaging service, text “HELP” or contact us at (888) 858-9511.

• To manage your SMS preferences (including opting in or out), visit our SMS Preferences Form.

4. Wireless Carrier Rates and Services

Wireless carrier message and data rates may apply. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

5. Confidentiality

We will maintain the confidentiality of your mobile number. Your mobile number will not be shared with third parties for their own marketing purposes. However, for operational purposes, your name and mobile number may be shared with our service providers who assist in delivering our SMS communications. These providers use your personal information solely to carry out the services they provide to Expert Institute.

EXERCISING YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

Depending on your state or country of residence, you may have the following privacy rights:

- Access: you may request that TEI disclose certain information to you about its collection and use of your personal information, including categories of personal information, categories of sources, categories of third parties your personal information was disclosed to, purposes for collecting personal information, and specific pieces of personal information TEI collected about you.

- Correction: you may request correction or amendment to your personal information. TEI relies on you to update or correct inaccurate or outdated personal information.

- Deletion: you may request deletion of your personal information. TEI will delete personal information as required by law but in some situations TEI might be required or permitted to retain your personal information.

- Objection to certain types of processing: depending on where you live, you may object to our processing of your personal information.

- Restriction of certain types of processing: depending on where you live, you may request that we restrict certain types of processing of your personal information.

- Opt out of targeted advertising/“sharing”: you may opt out of targeted advertising/”sharing” of your personal information for the purposes of cross-context behavioral advertising.

- Opt out of “sale”: depending on where you live, you may have the right to stop any “sale” of data (as defined by your location’s law). We do not exchange data for money, but some laws may treat sharing for ads or analytics as a “sale,” so you may opt out of that sharing.

- Opt out of profiling: depending on where you live, you may stop certain automated profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

- Opt out of or limit sensitive data processing: depending on where you live, you may opt out of or otherwise limit TEI’s processing of your sensitive personal information.

- Portability: depending on where you live, you may have the right to receive your personal information in a portable, machine-readable format.

- Any other privacy rights as provided by applicable law.

To exercise your applicable rights described above, please submit a request to TEI by either:

- Calling us toll-free at 888-858-9511, or

- Emailing us at info@expertinstitute.com

For some privacy rights, you may be able to take action yourself. Please see the “Your Choices” section above for more information.

In some cases, TEI may limit or deny your request if the law permits or requires it, or if TEI is unable to verify your identity.

You may appeal our decision by contacting us at privacy-appeal@expertinstitute.com within 30 days of our decision. We will respond in writing within the time provided by applicable law. Additionally, if your appeal is denied and you are a resident of certain states, you may contact your state Attorney General:

- Colorado: https://coag.gov

- Virginia: https://oag.state.va.us

TEI must be able to verify your identity before processing your request. TEI reserves the right to verify your identity by phone or email, and ask you to provide additional relevant information to adequately identify you. You may designate an authorized agent to submit a request, provided that they obtain adequate written and signed permission documentation. TEI may deny a request from an authorized agent if that agent does not submit adequate proof of authorization.

TEI will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your privacy rights. Unless permitted by law, TEI will not: deny you goods or services; charge you different prices or rates for goods or services, including through granting discounts or other benefits or imposing penalties; provide you a different level of quality of goods or services; or suggest any of the above. Please note that TEI may offer financial incentives permitted by law that can result in different prices or rates.

LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

The Website may contain links to other websites or may otherwise provide access to other sites that are not operated or controlled by TEI. TEI is not responsible for the information collected on any such sites, the privacy policies or terms of use on those sites. We encourage you to review any privacy policies or terms of use posted on any of these sites. You agree to look solely to the third party site owners in the event of any claims related to use of your information on those sites and waive any such claims against TEI.

INFORMATION SECURITY

We use commercially reasonable physical and technological security measures like encryption designed to protect your information both online and offline from unauthorized access, processing, accidental loss, and damage. We maintain internal governance policies and procedures, including incident response and data retention. We employ least privilege access controls so that only those with a need to perform their job duties will be able to access your personal information.

However, no method of transmission or storage is fully secure, and we cannot guarantee the security of your personal information.

DATA RETENTION

We will retain your personal information for no longer than is necessary for the purposes stated in this Privacy Policy, unless otherwise extending the retention period is required or permitted by law or subject to our retention policies as may be in place from time to time. The data storage period may vary depending on the scenario, product, and service. The standards we use to determine the retention period are as follows: the time required to retain personal information to fulfill business purposes, including providing products and services; maintaining business records; controlling and improving the performance and quality of the Websites; handling possible customer queries or conducting assessments of customer complaints; whether you agree to a longer retention period; and whether the laws, contracts, disputes, and other equivalencies have special requirements for data retention.

INTERNATIONAL

This Website is operated from the United States. If you are located outside of the United States, your personal information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ. We apply safeguards that provide a comparable level of protection, including contractual commitments with services providers.

Please see “Privacy Information for International Residents” for additional information for your specific jurisdiction, as applicable.

CHILDREN

Our Website and services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without parental consent. Children under 18 should not provider personal information to us.

POLICY UPDATES

The Expert Institute may update this Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting a notice on the Website. Any changes to our Privacy Policy will become effective upon notice. Your continued use of the Website and membership in The Expert Institute will indicate your agreement to such changes.

CONTACT US

We welcome all requests, suggestions and questions concerning our use of your information. All such communication should be directed to: info@expertinstitute.com.