Privacy Policy

What Information We Collect

Account Information

When you sign up for CognitWise, we collect your email address, chosen password, and basic profile details like your name and company information if you provide it. We need this to create your account and communicate with you about the service.

Usage Data

We track how you interact with our platform. This includes the keywords you research, search volumes you check, competition metrics you analyze, and features you use most often. Understanding these patterns helps us improve the tool and spot issues before they become problems.

Technical Information

Like most web services, we collect technical data: your IP address, browser type, device information, and general location data. This helps with security, troubleshooting, and making sure the interface works properly on different devices.

Payment Details

If you subscribe to a paid plan, we collect billing information. However, credit card details are processed directly by our payment provider and never stored on our servers. We only keep transaction records and billing history.

How We Use Your Information

The data we collect serves specific purposes, and we don't use it beyond what's necessary to run the service properly.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

We're not in the business of selling data. Here's when information leaves our direct control:

Service Providers

Some functions require trusted third parties. Our payment processor handles billing, cloud hosting services store data, and email delivery services send notifications. These providers only access what they need to perform their specific function, and they're contractually required to protect your information.

Legal Requirements

If South Korean authorities or international law enforcement present a valid legal request, we'll comply with disclosure requirements. We examine each request carefully and only share the minimum necessary information.

Business Transfers

If CognitWise is acquired or merged with another company, your data would transfer to the new entity. You'd be notified in advance, and any significant privacy policy changes would require your consent.

We do not:

• Sell personal information to advertisers or data brokers
• Share your keyword research data with competitors
• Use your search queries for purposes outside of providing the service
• Allow third parties to access your account without authorization

Your Privacy Rights

You have substantial control over your information. Here's what you can request and how to do it:

Data Security and Protection

Protecting your information isn't just about compliance – it's foundational to running a trustworthy research tool.

Technical Safeguards

We encrypt data in transit using TLS protocols and at rest using AES-256 encryption. Database access is restricted to essential personnel with multi-factor authentication required. Regular security audits identify vulnerabilities before they become problems.

Organizational Measures

Staff with data access receive privacy training and sign confidentiality agreements. We maintain detailed logs of who accesses what and when, with regular reviews to catch unusual patterns.

Incident Response

If a security breach occurs, we'll notify affected users within 72 hours and explain what happened, what data was involved, and what steps we're taking. Depending on the severity, we may also report to South Korean data protection authorities.

No security is perfect, though. We maintain insurance and response plans for worst-case scenarios, but you should use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your end too.

Data Retention and Deletion

We don't keep information longer than necessary. Here's how long different types of data stick around:

• Active Accounts: Your profile and research data remain accessible as long as your account is active
• Inactive Accounts: After 24 months of no logins, we send reminder emails. If there's still no activity after 30 months, we delete the account
• Deleted Accounts: Most data is removed within 30 days of deletion request. Billing records are kept for 7 years per South Korean tax law
• Usage Logs: Retained for 90 days for troubleshooting, then aggregated and anonymized for long-term analysis
• Support Tickets: Kept for 3 years to reference past issues and improve service quality
• Marketing Communications: Unsubscribe requests are processed immediately, with email addresses retained only on a suppression list

If you want specific data deleted before standard retention periods end, contact us with details about what you'd like removed. We'll evaluate requests individually.

International Data Transfers

CognitWise operates from South Korea, but our users are worldwide. When you access the platform from outside South Korea, your data crosses borders.

We store data on servers located in South Korea and use cloud infrastructure that may route data through multiple countries. These transfers happen under appropriate safeguards, including contractual clauses that require recipients to maintain privacy protections comparable to South Korean standards.

If you're in the European Union, Japan, or other regions with strict data protection laws, standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities govern these transfers. You can request copies of these agreements.

Cookies and Tracking

CognitWise uses cookies and similar technologies. Most are essential for the platform to function, but some are optional.

Essential Cookies

These keep you logged in, remember your preferences, and ensure the interface works properly. You can't opt out of these without losing functionality.

Analytics Cookies

We track how users navigate the platform to identify confusing interfaces or underused features. This data is aggregated and doesn't identify individual users. You can disable these through your account settings.

Browser Controls

Your browser can block or delete cookies, though this may affect how CognitWise works. Most modern browsers offer detailed cookie management in their settings.

We don't use advertising cookies or allow third-party advertisers to track you on our platform.

Children's Privacy

CognitWise is designed for business professionals and isn't intended for users under 16. We don't knowingly collect information from children.

If we discover that someone under 16 has created an account, we'll delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided information to us should contact us immediately.

Changes to This Policy

We update this privacy policy occasionally to reflect new features, legal requirements, or improved practices. Significant changes will be announced via email and through an in-app notification.

The "Effective Date" at the top shows when the current version took effect. Previous versions are archived and available on request if you want to see what changed.

Continuing to use CognitWise after policy updates means you accept the revised terms. If you disagree with changes, you can close your account before they take effect.