If you're curious about what tracking technologies actually are, you're not alone. In simple terms, these are small files or pieces of code—such as cookies, tracking pixels, scripts, and device identifiers—that help websites remember things about you and how you use them. Most of these are stored right on your device, while others collect information as you browse. They allow us to recognize returning learners, keep your session active, and even tailor content to your learning habits.

Some of these technologies are absolutely necessary for Fraeloth to work. For instance, without session cookies, you wouldn't be able to stay logged in as you move between different lessons or quizzes. If you started a practice test, your answers might disappear every time you clicked "next." These essential tools also help keep your account secure by verifying your identity before allowing access to your personal educational data.

We also use certain tracking methods to measure how well our services are performing. Let's say a particular interactive lesson isn't engaging learners as much as we'd hoped; analytics cookies collect data on how long you spend in each section, whether you complete activities, and whether you revisit certain topics. This helps us make improvements, identify problem spots, and test new features to ensure that the learning process is as effective as possible.

Some technologies are dedicated to remembering your preferences and making sure you see the content that's most relevant to you. For example, maybe you prefer videos with subtitles or a specific font size for readability—functional cookies remember these settings so you don't have to reconfigure them every time you log in. This also extends to remembering if you've completed certain onboarding tutorials or whether you've chosen a dark or light mode for your dashboard.

Fraeloth also uses certain tools to personalize your learning journey. If you often struggle with algebra, for example, we might show you additional hints or suggest related courses. This kind of customization is based on information gathered from your activity patterns, quiz performance, and content viewed. The result is a more tailored experience, where resources and recommendations fit your individual goals, helping you progress more efficiently.

All these technologies work together to give you a smoother, more engaging learning experience. Imagine joining a live class and having your messages automatically translated, or resuming a lesson exactly where you left off on a different device. Tracking technologies make these kinds of features possible—without them, online education would be much less flexible and interactive.

You have important rights when it comes to your personal information and how tracking technologies are used. Privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) require us to explain these rights clearly and give you control over your data. This means you can decide which types of tracking you're comfortable with and change your mind at any time.

If you want to control or delete cookies and similar technologies, most modern browsers make this pretty straightforward. For example, in Chrome, you can go to "Settings," then "Privacy and security," and manage or clear cookies under "Cookies and other site data." Firefox users can find these options in "Preferences" under "Privacy & Security," while Safari offers similar controls in its "Preferences" menu under "Privacy." Each browser provides the ability to block all cookies, allow only certain types, or delete data after each session.

Fraeloth also offers in-platform tools for managing your privacy preferences. When you visit the site, you'll see a preference center or pop-up that lets you choose which tracking categories you want to allow, such as strictly necessary, functional, or analytical technologies. These settings can be accessed any time through your account dashboard, giving you the flexibility to change your choices whenever you wish.

It's important to know that if you reject strictly necessary tracking technologies, certain features might not function correctly. For example, you may find yourself logged out unexpectedly, unable to save your progress in a course, or unable to access secure areas of the platform like your grades or certificates. Disabling analytics or personalization may mean you won't receive tailored course recommendations or see content that matches your interests and skill level.

If you want to protect your privacy while still using essential features, there are alternative measures you can take. Some users choose to enable "Do Not Track" in their browser, use privacy-focused extensions that block third-party scripts, or regularly clear their browsing data. However, it's important to ensure that these tools don't interfere with core educational features. Fraeloth's own privacy controls are designed to work with these measures, but for the best experience, use the preference center whenever possible.

Making informed decisions about your privacy is all about understanding the trade-offs. While enhanced privacy tools can block certain data collection, they may also limit your access to interactive lessons, real-time feedback, and personalized learning paths. Our recommendation? Adjust your settings in a way that matches your comfort level, but consider allowing essential and functional tracking for the smoothest learning experience.

Data retention is something we take seriously. At Fraeloth, we only keep personal information and tracking data for as long as it serves a clear educational or administrative purpose. For example, session data used to keep you logged in is deleted automatically when you sign out or after a set period of inactivity—usually thirty minutes. Performance analytics are typically anonymized and retained for a maximum of two years to help us refine our educational offerings, unless a shorter period is required by law or you request deletion.

To protect your data, Fraeloth uses a range of security measures. All personal and usage information is stored using encryption both in transit and at rest, meaning your data is scrambled so unauthorized users can't read it. We also use firewalls, strong authentication systems, and regular vulnerability testing to prevent unauthorized access and detect potential risks. Our staff receive ongoing privacy training, and we limit data access to only those who need it to support your learning.

We believe in collecting only what's necessary. Our systems are designed to minimize data gathering—for example, we only track your progress in courses you're enrolled in and don't collect unrelated browsing history or device data. If a lesson doesn't require certain information, we simply don't ask for it. This principle helps us respect your privacy and reduce the risk of unnecessary exposure.

Fraeloth complies with all applicable regulations governing educational data. This includes the GDPR for users in Europe, FERPA in the United States, and other relevant privacy laws depending on your location. We regularly review and update our practices to stay current with legal requirements, and we work with independent privacy professionals to ensure our platform remains a safe place for learning.

Occasionally, certain features on Fraeloth may use automated decision-making. For instance, our recommendation engine suggests new courses based on your previous activity and achievements. If you have concerns about any automated decision that affects your educational record or access to resources, you have the right to request human review or more information about how the decision was made.

Beyond standard cookies, Fraeloth uses additional technologies to support a responsive and interactive educational experience. Web beacons and tracking pixels are tiny, often invisible images embedded in emails or on web pages. When you open an email newsletter or load a lesson, these beacons send a signal back to our servers, letting us know which materials were viewed and how users interact with them. This information helps us gauge the effectiveness of our communications and improve lesson design.

Device recognition is sometimes used to enhance both security and personalization. Fraeloth may use device fingerprinting, which involves collecting certain technical details about your device—like operating system, browser type, screen resolution, and installed fonts—to recognize returning users and detect suspicious activity. However, we avoid collecting unnecessary identifiers and never use this method for cross-site tracking or unrelated advertising.

We also rely on local and session storage within your browser to temporarily hold information that makes learning smoother. For example, session storage might keep your current quiz answers until you submit them, while local storage can remember your language preferences or accessibility settings between visits. None of this data is shared outside Fraeloth, and you can clear it at any time through your browser settings.

On the server side, Fraeloth uses techniques such as session management and log analysis. These server-side records help us spot technical problems, prevent unauthorized access, and monitor usage patterns to enhance course delivery. For example, if a lesson consistently fails to load for a group of users, server logs help us investigate and fix the issue quickly.

You can control most of these supplementary tools through your browser or within Fraeloth's privacy settings. For web beacons and pixels, disabling images in your email client or using privacy extensions can block their operation. Device recognition can often be reduced by clearing cookies and regularly updating your browser. For local and session storage, clearing your browsing data removes these records. And for server-side tracking, the only way to opt out is by adjusting your account preferences or contacting support if you have specific concerns.