1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how SURF-VHDL (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects and processes personal data when you use the website https://surf-vhdl.com (the “Website”) and related services. We process personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”).
By using this Website, you agree to this Privacy Policy.
2. Data Controller
The data controller is:
SURF-VHDL
Via Del Fosso di S. Andrea
Rome, Italy
Email: info@surf-vhdl.com
3. Categories of Personal Data We Process
3.1 Usage data and technical data
We may process technical and usage data when you visit the Website, including:
- IP address (stored in Matomo with IP anonymization enabled)
- Device and browser information
- Referrer URL
- Pages viewed, time and duration of visit, clicks and downloads
3.2 Contact data
When you contact us through contact forms or by email, we collect:
- Name
- Email address
- Message content
3.3 Newsletter and course-related data (EzyCourse)
If you subscribe to our newsletter or enroll in courses via EzyCourse, we may receive:
- Name and email address
- Information about course enrollments and progress
- Communication preferences
We do not collect or store your full payment card details; payments related to EzyCourse are processed by their own providers under their privacy policies.
4. Purposes and Legal Bases of Processing
4.1 Website operation and security
We process technical data to provide and maintain the Website, ensure technical security and prevent abuse.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – our legitimate interest in running a secure and functional website.
4.2 Web analytics (Matomo self-hosted)
We use Matomo Analytics to analyze how visitors use our Website (e.g. which pages are most visited, how long visitors stay) in order to improve our tutorials and labs on VHDL, FPGA and digital design.
Legal basis:
- Article 6(1)(a) GDPR – your consent via the cookie banner for analytics cookies and tracking; and
- Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – our legitimate interest in understanding and improving the Website, with IP anonymization and pseudonymization.
4.3 Contact and support
We use your contact data to respond to your enquiries sent through contact forms or by email.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(b) GDPR – performance of a contract or steps taken at your request; and/or Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – our legitimate interest in responding to requests.
4.4 Newsletter and course communication (EzyCourse)
We use your data to send newsletters, course updates and technical content if you subscribed through EzyCourse or our forms.
Legal basis: Article 6(1)(a) GDPR – your consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us.
5. Matomo Analytics (Self-hosted)
We use Matomo Analytics for privacy-friendly web analytics.
- Matomo instance: https://analytics.surf-vhdl.com
- Hosting: self-hosted on servers provided by Hostinger. Hostinger may process data in data centers located in the EU (for example Netherlands, Lithuania, Cyprus) or other jurisdictions as described in its privacy policy.
- IP anonymization: enabled. Your IP address is truncated before being stored, so it cannot be used to identify you directly.
- No user IDs or e-commerce tracking are used on this Website.
Tracking and cookies are only activated after you give consent via the CookieYes banner for the “Analytics” category. You can change your preferences at any time using the cookie settings tool.
6. Cookies and Consent Management (CookieYes)
We use CookieYes as our consent management platform to display the cookie banner, collect and store your consent choices, and block non-essential cookies and scripts until consent is given.
When you first visit the Website, you can choose which categories of cookies you accept (necessary, analytics, etc.). You can modify your choices at any time via the cookie settings link in the banner or in the footer.
For more information about cookies used on this Website, please see our Cookie Policy.
7. Embedded Content and Third-Party Services
7.1 YouTube
We may embed YouTube videos in our tutorials and labs. When you view these videos, YouTube (Google) may set cookies and collect usage data under its own privacy and cookie policies.
7.2 Spreaker (podcasts)
We may embed audio content or players provided by Spreaker to host and distribute podcasts. Spreaker may collect usage data (for example IP address and listening statistics) under its own privacy policy.
7.3 EzyCourse (courses and newsletters)
For course sales, course content and newsletter management we use EzyCourse. When you follow links to our EzyCourse pages or enroll in courses, EzyCourse acts as an independent controller and processes your data under its own privacy policy.
7.4 Telegram
We may provide links to Telegram channels or groups. When you join those channels, Telegram processes your data as an independent provider under its own terms and privacy policy.
7.5 CDN and hosting
Our Website is hosted with Hostinger and may use their CDN or image delivery features. Hostinger processes technical data and logs for hosting and security in accordance with its privacy policy.
We do not control how these third parties process your personal data. Please refer to their own privacy and cookie policies.
8. Data Retention
We keep your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described above or as required by law.
- Matomo analytics data: retained for a period consistent with our analytics needs; we may aggregate or anonymize data for longer-term statistics.
- Contact form data: kept for as long as needed to process and document your request.
- Newsletter data: kept until you unsubscribe or withdraw your consent.
9. Data Transfers
Hostinger may process and store personal data on servers located in the EU and, where necessary, in other jurisdictions, subject to appropriate safeguards such as EU Standard Contractual Clauses, as described in Hostinger’s privacy policy.
Third-party providers such as YouTube, Spreaker, EzyCourse or Telegram may process data outside the EU/EEA under their own safeguards and policies.
10. Your Rights Under GDPR
Under GDPR, you have the following rights, subject to legal conditions:
- Right of access to your personal data
- Right to rectification of inaccurate data
- Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
- Right to restriction of processing
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing
- Right to withdraw consent at any time (without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal)
To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@surf-vhdl.com.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements. The latest version will always be available on this page, with the date of the last update.
12. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we process your data, please contact:
SURF-VHDL
Via Del Fosso di S. Andrea
Rome, Italy
Email: info@surf-vhdl.com