1 Introduction

Welcome to the Privacy Policy of ShivBodh Trust (hereinafter referred to as "the Trust", "we", "us", or "our"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and manage your personal information when you interact with our digital ecosystem, website, and related services (collectively, the "Platform").

ShivBodh Trust is a dharmic community and spiritual education platform dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Sanatan Dharma, Vedantic teachings, and civilizational values. We are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information in a manner that reflects our core values of integrity, transparency, and community trust.

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Platform, including visitors, registered members, contributors, donors, and anyone who engages with our content or services. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy and agree to its terms. If you do not agree with any part of this Policy, please discontinue use of the Platform.

2 Information We Collect

We may collect various types of information from and about users of the Platform. The nature and scope of information collected depends on how you interact with the Platform. We collect information only when it is relevant to our mission and services.

The categories of information we may collect include:

• Personal Identification Information — Such as your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you choose to provide.
• Account Information — Username, password (stored securely), profile preferences, and account settings.
• Demographic Information — Such as location, language preferences, and other voluntary demographic data.
• Communication Data — Information you share in contact forms, newsletter subscriptions, community discussions, or direct messages.
• Participation Data — Campaign involvement, event registrations, community contributions, and other engagement activities.
• Technical Information — Browser type, device information, operating system, IP address, and usage patterns.
• Analytics Data — Aggregated information about how users interact with the Platform, collected through cookies and similar technologies.

We do not collect sensitive personal data (such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, or health information) without explicit consent, except where such collection is incidental to the services we provide or required by law.

3 Information You Provide Voluntarily

You may choose to provide us with personal information in several ways. The following are examples of situations where you may voluntarily provide information:

• Account Registration — When you create a user account, we collect your name, email address, and any other information you provide as part of the registration process.
• Profile Information — You may optionally provide additional details about yourself, such as your location, interests, or a bio, to enhance your community presence.
• Contact Forms — When you reach out to us via our contact forms, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.
• Newsletter Subscriptions — When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address and any preferences you indicate.
• Community Participation — When you contribute to discussions, comment on articles, or participate in community activities, we collect the content you share and associated metadata.
• Campaign and Initiative Engagement — When you join a campaign or initiative, we may collect information relevant to your participation, such as your name, contact details, and involvement preferences.
• Donations and Support — When you make a donation, we collect information necessary to process the transaction, which may include your name, contact information, and payment details (processed securely through third-party payment gateways).
• Feedback and Surveys — When you provide feedback or participate in surveys, we collect the information you share to help us improve our services.

You are never required to provide more information than is necessary for the specific interaction. We respect your right to engage with the Platform at a level that feels comfortable to you.

4 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit the Platform, certain information may be collected automatically through standard web technologies. This information helps us understand how users interact with the Platform and allows us to improve the user experience.

Automatically collected information may include:

• Device and Browser Information — Such as browser type, version, operating system, screen resolution, and device model.
• IP Address — Your IP address is used to deliver content, diagnose technical issues, and understand broad geographic patterns of usage. It is not used to identify individual users.
• Usage Patterns — Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, and other interactions with the Platform.
• Referral Information — The source that led you to our Platform, such as a search engine, social media link, or direct entry.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies — As described in the next section, we use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance functionality and gather analytics.

This automatically collected information is generally aggregated and anonymized, and it is used in a manner that does not personally identify you. We use this data to improve the Platform, understand user needs, and tailor content to better serve our community.

5 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance your experience, gather usage analytics, and remember your preferences. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device that helps us recognize your browser and remember certain information.

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies — Necessary for the core functionality of the Platform, such as authentication and session management.
• Preference Cookies — Remember your settings and preferences, such as language selection or display preferences.
• Analytics Cookies — Help us understand how users interact with the Platform, which pages are most popular, and how we can improve the user experience.
• Functional Cookies — Enable enhanced features, such as embedded content or social media integration.

You have control over your cookie preferences. Most web browsers allow you to manage cookie settings, including blocking or deleting cookies. However, please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Platform.

6 How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used to fulfill our mission, improve our services, and support our community. Specifically, we may use information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery — To provide you with access to the Platform, its features, and its content.
• Communication — To respond to your inquiries, send you updates about our initiatives, share newsletters, and inform you of relevant opportunities.
• Community Engagement — To facilitate your participation in community discussions, campaigns, events, and initiatives.
• Personalization — To tailor content and recommendations based on your interests and preferences, where applicable.
• Analytics and Improvement — To analyze usage patterns, identify areas for improvement, and enhance the Platform's functionality and user experience.
• Support and Donations — To process donations, maintain records of contributions, and provide appropriate acknowledgments.
• Security and Compliance — To protect the Platform from unauthorized access, detect and prevent fraud, and comply with applicable legal obligations.

We may process your information for these purposes only when we have a lawful basis to do so, such as your consent, the performance of a contract, or our legitimate interests in operating the Platform and serving our community.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. We may share information with trusted service providers who assist us in operating the Platform, but only to the extent necessary to provide those services, and subject to strict confidentiality obligations.

7 Communication and Notifications

We value your time and attention. We provide you with choices regarding the types of communications you receive from us. You may manage your communication preferences in the following ways:

• Newsletters and Updates — You may subscribe or unsubscribe from our newsletters and general updates at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly.
• Campaign and Initiative Notifications — You can choose to receive notifications about specific campaigns, events, or initiatives that interest you.
• Transactional Communications — You will receive necessary communications related to your account, donations, or participation, regardless of your marketing preferences.
• Account Settings — Registered users can manage their communication preferences through their account settings.

We respect your choices and will honor your preferences in a timely manner. If you have any difficulty managing your preferences, please contact us for assistance.

8 Donations and Financial Information

ShivBodh Trust may offer opportunities for voluntary donations and financial contributions to support our mission. When you make a donation, we collect information necessary to process the transaction, including:

• Your name and contact information.
• Payment method and associated details (processed securely through third-party payment gateways).
• Donation amount and any preferences you specify regarding the use of your contribution.
• Information about your acknowledgment preferences (e.g., whether you wish to receive a receipt or recognition).

We do not store complete payment card information on our servers. All payment processing is handled by reputable third-party payment processors that comply with industry security standards. We use your donation information to maintain accurate records, provide appropriate acknowledgments, and communicate with you about our initiatives, where you have indicated a preference to receive such communications.

You may choose to make anonymous donations or to limit the information you provide. We respect your privacy preferences regarding your contributions.

9 Community Participation Data

As a community platform, we encourage active participation and engagement. When you contribute to the community—whether through discussions, comments, content submissions, or participation in initiatives—we collect and store the information you share.

Community participation data may include:

• Comments, posts, and contributions you make in community forums or discussion areas.
• Your participation in campaigns, events, and awareness initiatives.
• Content you submit for publication, such as articles, reflections, or media.
• Feedback, suggestions, and responses you provide through surveys or feedback mechanisms.
• Information about your engagement with other community members.

We treat community participation data with the same care and respect as all other personal information. We may display your contributions publicly within the Platform, in accordance with your preferences and the nature of the content. You have control over the visibility of your contributions, and you may request the removal of content you have posted, subject to our retention policies and applicable law.

10 Third-Party Services

We may use third-party services to support the operation of the Platform, such as hosting providers, payment processors, analytics services, and email delivery platforms. These third parties may have access to your personal information only to the extent necessary to perform their specific functions, and they are required to maintain the confidentiality and security of such information.

We select third-party service providers carefully, choosing those that demonstrate a commitment to privacy and security. However, we do not control the privacy practices of third parties, and we encourage you to review their respective privacy policies to understand how they handle your information.

Some third-party services we may use include, but are not limited to:

• Payment processing platforms for secure donation processing.
• Email service providers for sending newsletters and communications.
• Analytics tools to understand user behavior and improve the Platform.
• Cloud infrastructure providers for hosting and data storage.

Where applicable, we enter into data processing agreements with these providers to ensure that they process data only in accordance with our instructions and applicable law.

11 Analytics and Performance Monitoring

We may use analytics tools to better understand how users interact with the Platform and to identify areas for improvement. These tools collect information about your usage patterns, such as pages visited, time spent on pages, and interactions with content.

Analytics data is typically aggregated and anonymized to protect individual privacy. We use this information to:

• Understand user needs and preferences.
• Optimize the Platform's performance and user experience.
• Identify technical issues and improve functionality.
• Track the effectiveness of our content and initiatives.

We may use third-party analytics services, which may set their own cookies or use similar technologies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party providers to understand their practices.

12 Data Sharing Practices

We are committed to protecting your privacy and do not share your personal information with third parties except in the following circumstances:

• With Your Consent — We may share your information with your explicit consent, such as when you choose to participate in a joint initiative or campaign.
• Service Providers — We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Platform and providing services, subject to strict confidentiality obligations.
• Legal Obligations — We may share information where required by applicable law, regulation, legal process, or government request.
• Protection of Rights — We may share information to protect the rights, property, or safety of ShivBodh Trust, our community, or others.
• Business Transfers — In the event of a merger, acquisition, or similar transaction, your information may be transferred as part of the business assets, subject to the continuation of this Privacy Policy.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. We do not share your information with advertisers or marketing agencies.

13 Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Our retention practices are based on the following principles:

• Active Accounts — Information associated with active user accounts is retained for as long as the account remains active and as needed to provide services.
• Inactive Accounts — If an account is inactive for an extended period, we may deactivate or delete the account and associated information, subject to our retention policies.
• Legal and Regulatory Requirements — We may retain certain information for longer periods where required by law, regulation, or legal process.
• Legitimate Interests — We may retain information to protect our rights, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements, where necessary.
• Anonymized Data — We may retain aggregated or anonymized data for analytical purposes, as this data no longer identifies individuals.

We periodically review our data holdings and securely delete or anonymize information that is no longer needed. Our goal is to retain only what is necessary and to minimize the storage of personal information.

14 Data Security Measures

We take reasonable measures to protect the information we collect from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our security practices include:

• Technical Safeguards — We implement industry-standard security technologies, such as encryption for data transmission (SSL/TLS), secure server configurations, and regular security assessments.
• Access Controls — Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel who require it for their roles, and they are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• Security Awareness — We educate our team about privacy and security best practices to foster a culture of responsible data handling.
• Third-Party Oversight — When we engage third-party service providers, we require them to implement reasonable security measures and to comply with our data protection standards.
• Incident Response — We have procedures in place to respond to potential security incidents, including notification to affected individuals and regulatory authorities, where required by law.

While we strive to protect your information, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we are committed to taking reasonable steps to protect your data. We encourage you to take precautions, such as using strong passwords and keeping your login credentials confidential.

15 Your Privacy Rights

We respect your rights regarding your personal information. Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights concerning your data:

• Right to Access — You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Correction — You may request that we correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to Deletion — You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject to our retention obligations and applicable law.
• Right to Restrict Processing — You may request that we restrict the processing of your information in certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability — Where technically feasible, you may request that we provide your information in a structured, commonly used format.
• Right to Withdraw Consent — Where we rely on your consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time.
• Right to Object — You may object to the processing of your information for certain purposes, such as direct marketing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 21. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law, typically within a reasonable timeframe.

16 Access, Correction and Deletion Requests

If you wish to access, correct, or request the deletion of your personal information, you may do so through the following channels:

• Account Settings — Registered users may access and update their account information directly through their profile settings.
• Email Request — You may send a request to sampreshana.network@gmail.com with the subject line "Privacy Request." Please include your name, the nature of your request, and any relevant details to help us respond effectively.
• Verification — To protect your privacy, we may request verification of your identity before processing certain requests.

We will acknowledge your request promptly and provide a substantive response within a reasonable timeframe, in accordance with applicable law. If we are unable to fulfill your request for any reason, we will explain the basis for our decision.

We do not charge a fee for processing access, correction, or deletion requests, except where requests are manifestly unfounded, excessive, or repetitive, in which case we may charge a reasonable administrative fee or refuse to act on the request.

17 Children's Privacy

ShivBodh Trust is committed to protecting the privacy of children. The Platform is not directed to or intended for use by children under the age of 13 (or the minimum age specified by applicable law in their jurisdiction).

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under the applicable age threshold, we will take reasonable steps to delete such information from our records promptly.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately, and we will take appropriate steps to address the situation.

We encourage parents and guardians to supervise their children's online activities and to educate them about responsible online behavior and privacy practices.

18 International Users

ShivBodh Trust is based in India and operates in accordance with Indian data protection laws and principles. However, our Platform may be accessed by users from around the world. If you are accessing the Platform from outside India, please be aware that your information may be transferred to and processed in India, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer, processing, and storage of your information in India, subject to applicable law. We take reasonable steps to ensure that your information is processed in a manner consistent with this Policy and applicable privacy laws, regardless of where it is stored or processed.

We do not represent or warrant that our Platform or data handling practices comply with the laws of any specific jurisdiction outside India. If you are accessing the Platform from a jurisdiction with specific privacy requirements, you do so at your own risk.

19 External Website Links

The Platform may contain links to external websites, services, or resources that are not operated or controlled by ShivBodh Trust. These links are provided for your convenience and reference only.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of any external websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies and terms of use of any third-party sites you visit, as they may differ from our practices.

This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected by ShivBodh Trust through the Platform. It does not apply to information collected through any third-party services or external links.

20 Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or community expectations. When we make material changes to the Policy, we will provide notice through the Platform or by other reasonable means before the changes take effect.

We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about our privacy practices. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the most recent changes were made.

Your continued use of the Platform following the posting of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. If you do not agree to the updated Policy, please discontinue using the Platform.

21 Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help.

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 2–3 business days. For complex requests, we may require additional time to respond fully.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with the appropriate data protection authority in your jurisdiction.

22 Our Commitment to Community Trust

At ShivBodh Trust, we view privacy as an extension of our dharmic values. We are committed to:

We recognize that trust is earned through consistent, ethical action. We are grateful for your participation in our community and your trust in us as stewards of your information. We will continue to work diligently to honor that trust, guided by the principles of Sanatan Dharma and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge.

🙏 "।। विज्ञानम् ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात् ।।"