Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 1st November 2024

Welcome to Alphakhoj (“we,” “us,” or “our“). We are dedicated to protecting the privacy of our users (“you” or “your“), especially children under the age of 13. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application Alphakhoj (the “App“). Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using the App, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not access or use the App.

Note: Parental consent is required for users under the age of 13. By allowing your child to use the App, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

a. Personal Information

• Voice Data: Recordings of your voice to assess reading fluency and provide personalized feedback.
• Account Information: If you sign in with a Google account, we collect your name, email address, and profile picture.
• Profile Information: Information you provide when creating a profile, such as age, grade level, and learning preferences.

b. Device Information

• Technical Details: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.
• Device Settings: Language, time zone, and other device-specific settings.

c. User Interaction Data

• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the App, including features used, content viewed, and time spent on the App.
• Progress Data: Your learning progress, achievements, and scores.

d. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your activity within the App.

e. Information from Third Parties

• Analytics Providers: We may receive anonymized data from analytics services to understand how our App is used.
• Social Media Platforms: If you interact with our content on social media, we may receive information in accordance with their privacy policies.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Provide and Maintain the Service: Ensure the App functions correctly and provide the services you request.
• Improve and Personalize the App: Customize your learning experience based on your progress and preferences.
• Develop New Features: Use data to develop and test new features and services.
• Communication: Send you updates, security alerts, and support messages.
• Compliance: Enforce our terms, conditions, and policies, and comply with legal obligations.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR Compliance)

• Consent: You have given explicit consent for processing your personal data for specific purposes.
• Contract Performance: Processing is necessary to perform a contract with you.
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, such as improving our services.
• Legal Obligations: Compliance with legal obligations.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

• Service Providers: With third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, data analysis, and customer service.
• Legal Requirements: If required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.
• Business Transfers: In connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business.

5. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws different from those of your country. We take steps to ensure your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

6. Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

• Parental Consent: We obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.
• Parental Rights: Parents can review, delete, or refuse further collection of their child’s personal information by contacting us.
• Data Minimization: We collect only the information reasonably necessary for the child’s participation in the App.

7. Your Rights and Choices

a. Access and Correction

You may access and update your personal information through the App settings.

b. Data Portability

You have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format.

c. Data Deletion

You may request the deletion of your personal data by contacting us at aakash@alum.iisc.ac.in

d. Opt-Out of Marketing Communications

You can opt-out of receiving promotional emails by following the unsubscribe instructions included in those emails.

e. Withdraw Consent

If we are processing your personal data based on your consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

9. Data Security

• Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
• Secure Servers: Hosted on AWS with advanced security features.
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal data to authorized personnel only.

10. Third-Party Services

• Analytics: Services like Google Analytics to understand App usage.
• Authentication: Services like Google Sign-In for account creation.
• Cloud Storage: AWS and MongoDB for data storage.

These third parties have their own privacy policies addressing how they use such information.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

• Authentication: Keeping you logged in.
• Preferences: Remembering your settings and preferences.
• Analytics: Understanding how you use the App to improve it.

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

12. Advertising and Marketing

• Third-Party Advertisements: We do not share personal information with advertisers.
• Parental Consent: Advertisements are child-friendly and comply with COPPA.

13. Links to Other Websites

Our App may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by us. We are not responsible for their content, privacy policies, or practices.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy within the App and updating the “Effective Date.”

• Material Changes: If the changes are significant, we may provide more prominent notice or obtain your consent as required by law.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

• Email: aakash@alum.iisc.ac.in

16. Additional Disclosures for California Residents (CCPA Compliance)

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of the sale of personal information. (Note: We do not sell personal information.)
• Non-Discrimination: You will not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise your rights, please contact us.

17. Definitions

• Personal Information: Data that can be used to identify an individual.
• Processing: Any operation performed on personal data, such as collection, storage, use, and disclosure.
• Controller: The entity that determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
• Processor: The entity that processes personal data on behalf of the controller.

Adapted from the AlphaKhoj Privacy Policy.