ESF Connect – Terms of Use

The ESF Connect Community Terms of Use (“Terms of Use”) define the conditions under which you may access and use the ESF Connect portal and all associated functionalities (hereinafter designated together as the “Service”).

By accessing or using the Service, registering an account, or logging in via your credentials, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use, which incorporate the ESF Personal Information Collection Statement (PICS) set out herein and the broader ESF Personal Data Handling & Data Privacy Policy.

1. Legal Notice

The Service is provided by The English Schools Foundation (“ESF”) and ESF Educational Services Ltd (“ESL”):

  • Organisation: The English Schools Foundation / ESF Educational Services Ltd
  • Registered Office: 12/F, Island Place Tower, 510 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong
  • Primary Contact Email: info@esfcentre.edu.hk
  • Alumni Support Email: alumni@esfcentre.edu.hk

Hosting & Technical Infrastructure:

  • Platform Provider: Kit United SAS (Hivebrite)
  • Hosting Provider: Google Cloud Platform (Gordon House, 4 Barrow St, Dublin, Ireland)

2. Definitions

  • Community Website / Portal: The online alumni platform named ESF Connect, hosted by Hivebrite and operated by ESF and ESL.
  • Data Protection Law: The Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) of Hong Kong (“PDPO”) and any applicable international data protection laws.
  • PICS: Personal Information Collection Statement governing the handling of data by ESF and ESL.
  • User Account: A dedicated online account providing access to the Service.
  • Identifiers: The email/password combination, single sign-on (SSO), or social logins (LinkedIn, Facebook, Google) used to access the account.
  • Service: The ESF Connect website, mobile application, and all features provided therein.
  • User Content: Any text, photos, media, profile details, messages, or materials created, posted, or uploaded by the User.

3. Eligibility, Age Restriction & Alumni Qualification

  • Strict Age Limit (18+): The Service is strictly intended for individuals aged 18 years or older. Persons under 18 years of age are not authorised to register or use the Service.
  • Exclusive to Genuine ESF Alumni: ESF Connect is reserved exclusively for genuine alumni of ESF schools.
  • Self-Declared Membership: Membership in ESF Connect is self-declared during registration. By registering, you warrant that all affiliation details (e.g., school attended, graduation year) and personal information provided are complete, accurate, and true.
  • Requirement to Provide Data: Supplying required personal data is necessary to process your registration and verify your affiliation. Failure to provide accurate data may result in account rejection.

4. Personal Information Collection Statement (PICS) & Data Privacy

Your privacy is paramount. Personal data collected through ESF Connect is handled in strict accordance with the PDPO and ESF’s data handling standards:

4.1 Purpose of Data Collection

Personal data supplied during registration and platform use is collected by ESF and ESL for administrative, verification, alumni networking, and community-building purposes. Data provided forms part of the member’s record within the ESF and ESL database systems and online portals.

4.2 Confidentiality & Third-Party Disclosure

All personal data is kept confidential by authorised ESF and ESL staff. ESF or ESL will not disclose your personal data to external bodies or organisations unless:

  1. Service Providers: Shared with trusted third-party contractors within or outside Hong Kong—including Hivebrite (Kit United SAS) and Google Cloud Platform—solely to host, operate, and maintain the ESF Connect portal. 
  2. Internal Transfers: Transferred between ESF and ESL for administrative and alumni purposes.
  3. Consented or Required by Law: Permitted with your consent or required/permitted under applicable laws.

4.3 Data Retention

Personal data will be retained in ESF/ESL database systems for ongoing alumni relationship management. However, if data is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected, it may be securely destroyed. We typically retain data within ESF for a period of seven years. However, in this instance, should you wish to remain part of the ESF Connect network, your data will be retained beyond this period.

4.4 Communications & Updates

ESF and ESL may use your name and contact details to send communications relevant to the alumni community (such as newsletters, events, and alumni initiatives). Where communications contain a direct marketing component, ESF/ESL will provide appropriate opt-in or opt-out mechanisms in accordance with the law.

4.5 Content Privacy Protection (No External Platform Use)

User Content, photos, media, or personal updates shared strictly within the ESF Connect portal will not be re-used, published, or distributed by ESF or ESL across external channels, public websites, or marketing communications without the user’s explicit prior consent.

4.6 Data Access & Correction Rights

Under the PDPO, you have the right to request access to and correction of your personal data held by ESF or ESL.

5. Description of the Service

ESF Connect is built strictly and exclusively for genuine alumni of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) to network, communicate, and engage with their alumni network. Key features include:

  • Directory & Geolocation: Search contact details of verified ESF alumni and connect with nearby members.
  • Live Feed & Media: Share news, updates, photos, and post comments with fellow alumni.
  • Groups & Events: Join school-specific alumni sub-groups, register for events, and manage participation.
  • Direct Messaging: Send private messages to verified alumni.

6. User Account, Security & Content Reporting

  • Account Security: Credentials are personal and confidential. You are solely responsible for maintaining password security and for all activity occurring under your account.
  • Content Reporting to Moderator: Built-in moderation features are available across the platform (such as the “Report content” option). Users can use this tool to report any suspected, inappropriate, or non-compliant content directly to the platform administrator/moderator for immediate investigation.
  • Unauthorised Access: If you suspect unauthorised access to your account, immediately notify ESF at alumni@esfcentre.edu.hk.
  • Non-Transferability: Accounts cannot be shared, assigned, or transferred to third parties.

7. Intellectual Property

  • ESF Ownership: All platform branding, logos, trademarks, and original portal content belong exclusively to ESF and ESL.
  • User Content License: You retain ownership of content you post. By submitting content on ESF Connect, you grant ESF and ESL a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host and display that content strictly within the private ESF Connect platform environment.

8. Rules of Conduct

Users agree to interact professionally and respectfully. You must not:

  1. Post unlawful, defamatory, abusive, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, or deceptive content.
  2. Impersonate any person or misrepresent your affiliation or graduation status with any ESF school.
  3. Conduct unauthorised commercial solicitations, mass spamming, or data scraping/harvesting.
  4. Upload viruses, malware, or harmful code.

9. Account Closure, Data Deletion & Suspension

  • Account Closure & Data Deletion at Any Time: You have the right to close your account and request the permanent deletion of your personal data at any time. To request account closure and data removal, please contact alumni@esfcentre.edu.hk Requests will be processed promptly.
  • Suspension & Removal by ESF: ESF reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts without prior notice if:
    • The user is under 18 years of age.
    • The user is found not to be a genuine ESF alumnus/alumna or has submitted false affiliation details.
    • The user violates these Terms of Use or Community Guidelines.
  • Inactive Accounts: Accounts remaining completely inactive for a continuous period of two (2) years may be flagged for deletion following notice via email.

10. Limitation of Liability

  • “As-Is” Provision: The Service is provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis. ESF and ESL do not guarantee uninterrupted operational access or the absolute accuracy of user-submitted profile data.
  • Member Interactions: ESF and ESL are not liable for online or offline interactions between individual members or third-party links accessed via the platform.

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong.

12. Contact Us

For technical support, account closure/data deletion requests, verification assistance, or privacy queries, please contact:


Updated: 28 September 2026