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GDPR Information Notice for TCF Candidates

About the TCF and Data Protection

France Éducation international (FEI), a public administrative body, offers the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) to assess French language proficiency. FEI processes candidates’ personal data in accordance with French Data Protection Law no. 78-17 of January 6, 1978 (as amended), and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR – Regulation (EU) 2016/679).

Data Controller

France Éducation international (FEI)
1, avenue Léon Journault, 92318 Sèvres, France.

Purpose of Data Processing

Personal data is used to manage all aspects of the TCF, including:

Registration and test administration
Assessment of oral and written skills
Quality control and improvement of tests (e.g. psychometric analysis, AI tool development, examiner training)
Scientific research in language assessment
Fraud prevention and detection
Statistical reporting

Legal Basis for Processing

Data is processed based on:

A task in the public interest (Art. 6(1)(e), GDPR)
Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f), GDPR), including innovation and fraud prevention
Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c), GDPR), including mandatory data sharing with the Caisse des dépôts et consignations for candidates in France

Who Can Access Your Data?

Access is limited to:

Authorized FEI personnel
Staff at your test center (during your certificate validity)
Authorized subcontractors (e.g. for certificate printing)
Researchers conducting approved analyses

Organizations to which you present your TCF certificate may verify its authenticity via QR code. If you refuse, the certificate’s validity cannot be confirmed.

Some anonymized test responses may be used for recognition of the TCF by official bodies, including outside the EU.

What Data is Collected?

Identification data: name, birth info, nationality, photo, signature, language, ID numbers, and—for certain tests—contact details and passport number
Test-related data: exam dates/locations, written/oral responses, recordings, reasons for taking the test, and supporting documents (accommodation, absence, etc.)
Results: CEFR language level
Additional use: Content of answers may be used for research, with data pseudonymized to protect identities

Since October 2024, a hybrid correction method is used: human and AI-based (FIDELIA), with a third human correction in case of major discrepancies. AI is never the sole basis for grading.

Directly identifying data is not used to develop the AI correction tool.

Data Retention Period

Data is stored for up to 10 years unless otherwise specified:

Incomplete registrations: 6 months
Signature: 3 years
Oral recordings: 2 years
Supporting documents: 1 year
Absence justifications: per accounting regulations
Fraud-related data: duration of sanction or 10 years for disciplinary records

International Data Transfers

Test centers may be located outside the EU. While privacy laws may differ, only your chosen test center will have access to your data and results during the validity period.

Your Data Rights

Under GDPR and French law, you may request:

Access
Rectification
Deletion
Restriction
Objection (where applicable)

To exercise your rights, contact:
Email: [email protected]

Online form (via FEI website)
Post:
Délégué à la protection des données
France Éducation international
1 avenue Léon Journault
92310 Sèvres Cedex

If your rights are not respected, you may file a complaint with the CNIL (Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés).

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