For EU residents please see our full GDPR Compliance Data Protection Statement here: GDPR Compliance

Privacy Policy

Effective 18 May 2018

Updated 19 September 2024

This privacy policy explains who we are, how we collect, share and use Personal Information, and how you can exercise your privacy rights. We recommend that you read this privacy policy in full to ensure you are fully informed.

In adopting this Privacy Policy, we wish to balance our legitimate business interests and your reasonable expectation of privacy. Accordingly, we will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised access to, or disclosure of your Personal Information. However, it is impossible to guarantee that your Personal Information shall be 100% secure.

About Us

The Shilin Speed Reading Institute is a personal development and educational company. We help our clients achieve greater success in their lives through the development and delivery of advanced mental development courses designed to unlock their potential and to develop the minds allowing them to think, read and work faster and more efficiently.

Our signature program, the Shilin Speed Reading Program is an advanced practical in-class speed reading training program.

The company is operated by the Meliora Institute of Human Advancement (Pty) Ltd registered in South Africa.

Key Terms

For the purposes of this section, Personal Information will be understood in accordance with the definition provided in the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“the Act”) of South Africa. We also subscribe to the principles for electronically collecting personal information outlined in the Act, and the further legislation referred to therein. We endeavour to ensure the quality, accuracy and confidentiality of Personal Information in our possession.

“Personal Information” means any information that identifies or can be used to identify a Member, a Contact, or a Visitor, directly or indirectly. Examples of Personal Information include, but are not limited to, first and last name, date of birth, email address, gender, occupation, or other demographic information.

“Website(s)” means any website(s) we own and operate (such as www.shilinspeedreading.com) or any web pages, interactive features, applications, blogs, social networks, social network “tabs,” or other online, mobile, or wireless offerings that post a link to this privacy policy.

“Visitor” means any person who visits any of our Websites. “you” and “your” means, depending on the context, either a Client, a Contact, or a Visitor.

Privacy for Website Users

This section applies to the Personal Information we collect and process from a client, potential client or a website visitor through the provision of the Services or sharing of information on our website.

Collection of Information

Information is collected from you on the website via third party online form software, Wufoo and is stored via 3rd Party software Mailchimp. Your enquiries are also forwarded to our company email address in order for us to process, handle and respond to your enquiries.

A. Information We Collect

The Personal Information that we may collect broadly falls into the following category:

(i) Information you provide to us:

In the course of engaging with our Services, you may provide Personal Information about yourself.

Personal Information is often, but not exclusively, provided to us when you sign up to our mailing list, consult with our customer service team, send us an email, or communicate with us in any other way.

We will let you know prior to collection whether the provision of Personal Information we are collecting is compulsory or if it may be provided on a voluntary basis and the consequences, if any, of not providing the information.

By giving us this information, you agree to this information being collected, used and disclosed as described in this privacy policy.

B. Use of Personal Information

B.1 We will not collect, use or disclose sensitive information (such as information about racial or ethnic origins or political or religious beliefs, where relevant) except with your specific consent or in the circumstances permitted by law.

B.2 By agreeing to the terms contained in this Privacy Policy, you consent to the use of your Personal Information in relation to:

B.2.1 The provision and performance of the services;

B.2.2 Informing you of changes made to our website;

B.2.3 The provision of marketing related services to you by us;

B.2.4 Responding to any queries or requests you may have;

B.2.5 Developing a more direct and substantial relationship with users for the purposes described in this clause;

B.2.6 Developing an online user profile;

B.2.7 Understanding general user trends and patterns so that we can develop and support existing and ongoing marketing strategies;

B.2.8 For security, administrative and legal purposes; and

B.2.9 The creation and development of market data profiles which may provide insight into market norms, practices and trends to help us improve our offering to you. Such information will be compiled and retained in aggregated form, but shall not be used in any way which may comprise the identity of a user.

B.2.10. To answer any queries you may have regarding our company and services.

B.2.11. To forward to you information regarding upcoming courses, services and our company newsletter.

B.2.12. To enforce compliance with our Terms of Use and applicable law.

B.2.13 To meet legal requirements, including complying with court orders, valid discovery requests, valid subpoenas, and other appropriate legal mechanisms.

B.2.14. To provide information to representatives and advisors, including attorneys and accountants, to help us comply with legal, accounting, or security requirements.

B.2.15. To prosecute and defend a court, arbitration, or similar legal proceeding.

B.2.16. To respond to lawful requests by public authorities, including meeting national security or law enforcement requirements.

B.2.17. To provide, support and improve our company Services.

B.3 Although absolute security cannot be guaranteed on the internet, we have in place up-to-date, reasonable technical and organisational security measures to protect your Personal Information against accidental or intentional manipulation, loss, misuse, destruction or against unauthorised disclosure or access to the information we process online.

B.4 While we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any Personal Information you provide us, we will continue to maintain and improve these security measures over time in line with legal and technological developments.

B.5 We store your Personal Information directly, or alternatively, store your Personal Information on, and transfer your Personal Information to, a central database. If the location of the central database is located in a country that does not have substantially similar laws which provide for the protection of Personal Information, we will take the necessary steps to ensure that your Personal Information is adequately protected in that jurisdiction.

B.6 Your information will not be stored for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in these Terms or as required by applicable legislation.

B.7 The Personal Information we collect from users shall only be accessed by our employees, representatives and consultants on a need-to-know basis, and subject to reasonable confidentiality obligations binding such persons. B.8 We shall have the right, but shall not be obliged, to monitor or examine any information and materials including any website link that you publish or submit to us for publishing on the Site. You shall be solely responsible for the contents of all material published by yourself.

B.9 We constantly review our systems and data to ensure the best possible service to our users. We do not accept any users, or representatives of users, under 18 years of age or who otherwise does not have the relevant capacity to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

B.10 We will not sell, share, or rent your Personal Information to any third party or use your e-mail address for unsolicited mail. Any emails sent by us will only be in connection with the provision of our services and/or the marketing thereof.

C. Legal Basis for Processing

We process Personal Information about you as a data controller as described in this section, where such processing is in our legitimate interests and not overridden by your data protection interests or fundamental rights and freedoms. Our legitimate interests typically include: improving, maintaining, providing, and enhancing our products and services; ensuring the security of the Services and our Website; and for our marketing activities.

D. Other Data Protection Rights You may have the following data protection rights:

• To access, correct, update or request deletion of your Personal Information. You may contact us directly at any time about accessing, correcting, updating or deleting your Personal Information, or altering your data, by emailing us at personaldatarequests@shilinspeedreading.com

We will consider your request in accordance with applicable laws.

• In addition, if you are a resident of the EEA, you can object to processing of your Personal Information, ask us to restrict processing of your Personal Information or request portability of your Personal Information. Again, you can exercise these rights by emailing us at

personaldatarequests@shilinspeedreading.com.

• You have the right to complain to a data protection authority about our collection and use of your Personal Information. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority. 

If you no longer want to be contacted by us, please unsubscribe directly from the newsletter or contact us directly to update or delete your data. If you contact us directly, we may remove or update your information within a reasonable time.

We respond to all requests we receive from individuals wishing to exercise their data protection rights in accordance with applicable data protection laws. We may ask you to verify your identity in order to help us respond efficiently to your request.

E. Application Of The Electronic Communications And Transactions Act 25 Of 2002 (“Ect Act”)

E.1. Data Messages (as defined in the ECT Act) will be deemed to have been received by us if and when we respond to the Data Messages.

E.2. Data Messages sent by us to a user will be deemed to have been received by such user in terms of the provisions specified in section 23(b) of the ECT Act.

E.3. Users acknowledge that electronic signatures, encryption and/or authentication are not required for valid electronic communications between us and users.

E.4. Information to be provided in terms of section 43(1) of the ECT Act:

E.4.1. Users warrant that Data Messages sent to us from any electronic device, used by such user, from time to time or owned by such user, were sent and or authorised by such user, personally.

E.4.2. This Website is owned and operated by Meliora Institute of Human Advancement(Pty) Ltd

E.5. Address for service of legal documents: P.O. Box 1140 Fourways 2055

E.6. Contact Number: +27 73 215 3334

E.8 Website – located at www.shilinspeedreading.com

E.9. Email address: contact@shilinspeedreading.com

General Information

A. How We Share Information

We may share and disclose your Personal Information to the following types of third parties for the purposes described in this privacy policy:

(i) Our service providers: Sometimes, we share your information with our third-party service providers, who help us provide and support our Services and other business-related functions.

(ii) Any competent law enforcement body, regulatory body, government agency, court or other third party where we believe disclosure is necessary

  (a) as a matter of applicable law or regulation,

  (b) to exercise, establish, or defend our legal rights, or

  (c) to protect your vital interests or those of any other person.

(iii) A potential buyer (and its agents and advisors) in the case of a sale, merger, consolidation, liquidation, reorganization, or acquisition.

(iv) Any other person with your consent.

B. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Information (EEA Persons Only)

If you are from the European Economic Area, our legal basis for collecting and using the Personal Information described above will depend on the Personal Information concerned and the specific context in which we collect it.

However, we will normally collect and use Personal Information from you where the processing is in our legitimate interests and not overridden by your data-protection interests or fundamental rights and freedoms. Typically, our legitimate interests include improving, maintaining, providing, and enhancing our technology, products, and services; ensuring the security of the Services and our Websites; and for our marketing activities.

If you are a Member, we may need the Personal Information to perform a contract with you. In some limited cases, we may also have a legal obligation to collect Personal Information from you.

If we ask you to provide Personal Information to comply with a legal requirement or to perform a contact with you, we will make this clear at the relevant time and advise you whether the provision of your Personal Information is mandatory or not, as well as of the possible consequences if you do not provide your Personal Information.

Where required by law, we will collect Personal Information only where we have your consent to do so. If you have questions about or need further information concerning the legal basis on which we collect and use your Personal Information, please contact us using the contact details provided in the “Questions and Concerns” section below.

C. Your Choices and Opt-Outs

Visitors who have opted in to our marketing emails can opt out of receiving marketing emails from us at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of our marketing messages. Also, all opt-out requests can be made by emailing us using the contact details provided in the “Questions and Concerns” section below. Please note that some communications (such as service messages, service delivery notifications, billing information) are considered transactional and necessary for account management, and Members cannot opt out of these there are no transactional requirements between you and us.

D. Our Security

We take appropriate and reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction, taking into account the risks involved in the processing and the nature of the Personal Information. For further information about our security practices, please see our Security page here. If you have any questions about the security of your Personal Information, you may contact us at personaldatarequests@shilinspeedreading.com

E. Retention of Data

We retain Personal Information where we have an ongoing legitimate business or legal need to do so. Our retention periods will vary depending on the type of data involved, but, generally, we’ll refer to these criteria in order to determine retention period:

• Whether we have a legal or contractual need to retain the data.

• Whether the data is necessary to provide our Services. When we have no ongoing legitimate business need to process your Personal Information, we will either delete it after a period of 3 years.

We may change this privacy policy at any time and from time to time. The most recent version of the privacy policy is reflected by the version date located at the top of this privacy policy. All updates and amendments are effective immediately upon notice, which we may give by any means, including, but not limited to, by posting a revised version of this privacy policy or other notice on the Websites.

We encourage you to review this privacy policy often to stay informed of changes that may affect you. Our electronically or otherwise properly stored copies of this privacy policy are each deemed to be the true, complete, valid, authentic, and enforceable copy of the version of this privacy policy that was in effect on each respective date you visited the Website.

G. Questions & Concerns

If you have any questions or comments, or if you have a concern about the way in which we have handled any privacy matter, please use our contact form to send us a message. You may also contact us by email at: contact@shilinspeedreading.com

Our Clients

Shilin Speed Reading is trusted by;