Privacy & Cookies

Last updated: 3 September 2026

1. Data controller

The Swiss Language Academy is responsible for personal data processed through this website.

2. Data we collect

• Contact details that you provide, such as name, email address and telephone number.
• Information about your French level, preferred lesson format, schedule, city, objectives or deadline.
• Your email address when you start the free French placement test.
• Confirmation identifiers and the date of your request when we send a verification link by email.
• Technical information required to deliver and secure the website, such as IP address, browser type, date, time and requested pages.
• Your privacy and cookie preferences.

3. Why we use it

• Answer requests and prepare course proposals.
• Organise lessons, tests, customer support and administration.
• Protect forms from abuse and maintain website security.
• Send course news or commercial information only when legally permitted and according to your choice.
• Improve our services and website when optional measurement has been accepted.

4. Legal basis

Processing is based on steps requested before entering a contract, performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, legitimate interests in operating and securing the school, or consent where required. Consent can be withdrawn at any time without affecting earlier lawful processing.

5. Recipients and service providers

Data is available only to authorised Swiss Language Academy staff and teachers when needed. Hosting, email and technical support providers may process limited data on our behalf. Forms are protected by internal anti-spam controls and Cloudflare Turnstile. Cloudflare receives technical connection and device signals needed to determine whether a submission is legitimate. An email verification code may also be activated before transmitting a request.

The free language test is provided on the separate subdomain free-test.swiss-language-academy.ch.

The video page initially displays preview images stored on this website. No YouTube player or connection is loaded until you choose “Load video”. After that click, the player is loaded from the privacy-enhanced youtube-nocookie.com domain, and YouTube and Google may receive technical connection data and apply their own privacy terms.

The website is published in English and French. Switching language opens the corresponding page on this website; no third-party translation service is involved.

6. International transfers

Some technical providers may process data outside Switzerland. Where required, transfers are protected through recognised safeguards or an adequate level of protection.

7. Retention

Data is retained only for as long as needed for the purpose for which it was collected, to manage the customer relationship, and to comply with accounting, contractual or legal duties. Unconfirmed or unsuccessful enquiries are periodically deleted or anonymised. Confirmation links and technical identifiers should remain valid only for the period needed to complete the requested action. Technical records of blocked form submissions contain hashed identifiers rather than the submitted message and are automatically deleted after seven days.

8. Your rights

Subject to applicable Swiss data protection law and, where relevant, the GDPR, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability or object to certain processing. You may withdraw consent and object to direct marketing at any time. Contact us using the details above. You may also contact the competent data protection authority.

9. Cookies and local storage

Necessary technologies keep the website working, remember your privacy choice and protect forms. Optional analytics or marketing technologies are disabled until accepted. You can accept, reject or change optional choices at any time through “Cookie settings” in the footer.

10. Updates

We may update this notice when the website, services or legal requirements change. The current version is always published on this page.