Information Collected
During the sign-up process, we collect the following information from you:
- Full Name
- Email
- Home Town
- Current Location
- Phone Number
- Personal Skills
- Sai Baba Connection
Purpose of Data Collection
The purpose for collecting each piece of data is as follows:
Full Name: Used to help other users of the forum easily identify who has posted the content.
Email Address: Utilized for sending scheduled digests and notifications. It is also essential for account recovery processes in case of a forgotten password.
City of Current Residence: This information is kept confidential. It will only be used for direct communication or arranging interviews, and only with your explicit permission.
Hometown: Helps us gain insight into your background and heritage, enriching the community understanding within the forum.
Phone Number: Maintained confidentially and only used for necessary communication or organizing interviews, with your prior consent.
Personal Skills: Your expertise may be valuable for tasks such as editing or publishing the book. We may contact you to seek assistance in these areas, based on the skills you have listed.
Sai Baba Connection: Understanding your connection with Sai Baba aids us in comprehending your background and experiences, contributing to the richness of content and interactions on the forum.
Association with User Profile
From the above-collected data, we only associate your Full Name with your profile on this forum. Only your Full Name is visible to other general users, either on posts linked to you or on your user profile.
IP Address Tracking
We also associate your IP address with each user activity for platform usage analytics and to ban malicious users.
Data Download
In the Your Rights & Consent section of your user profile, you can download all data related to you that has been saved in the forum database.
Data Retention
Upon account deletion, your posts are anonymized, and all your information is deleted from the database. Regular backups ensure that your account data will be permanently lost when the last backup containing your data is deleted.
Privacy of Your Data
We will never share or sell data from this forum with third parties unless required by law. However, link previews from sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc., mean trackers from Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc., may collect information about you. The use of an ad blocker is strongly recommended.
User Rights
You have the right to access, rectify, erase, or restrict the processing of your data.
Data Security
We employ a variety of security measures to ensure the protection and confidentiality of your data. These measures include, but are not limited to, secure server hosting, encryption of sensitive data, regular software updates, and strict access controls. Our team conducts periodic security audits and implements best practices recommended by cybersecurity experts. We are committed to safeguarding your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction and continuously update our security protocols to adapt to new threats.
Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our platform uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze site usage. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, but this may affect the functionality of our site.
Age Restrictions
This platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age.
Third-Party Links and Services
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites and services. These external sites are not operated by us, and we have no control over their content or data privacy practices. Please be aware that the privacy and security standards of these sites may differ from ours. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for their policies or for any personal data that you may provide to them.
International Data Transfers
In the course of our operations, your data may be transferred to, stored at, and processed in countries outside of your country of residence. These international transfers are made to facilitate the efficient operation of our platform. Please be aware that data protection laws in these countries may not offer the same level of protection as those in your home country. We take all reasonable steps to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this privacy policy. By using our platform, you agree to such transfers, storage, and processing of your information.
Data Usage for Research or Sharing with Scholars
The information contributed by users on our platform may be used for research purposes or shared with authors, scholars, and researchers. This can include studies related to spiritual practices, cultural analysis, historical documentation, or educational purposes. We ensure that any sharing of such information is done with respect for privacy and confidentiality, and only non-personal data is used for these purposes, unless explicit consent is obtained for the use of identifiable personal data. Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding and broader dissemination of knowledge related to the teachings and impact of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Moderation and Removal of Content
Our platform moderates content to ensure it aligns with our community guidelines and terms of service. Content that violates these rules, such as offensive language, hate speech, or misinformation, may be edited or removed. Users are encouraged to report any content they find inappropriate. Repeated violations may lead to temporary or permanent suspension of user accounts.
Dispute Resolution
If you have any concerns or disputes regarding privacy or data handling on our platform, please contact us directly for resolution. We aim to promptly address and resolve any issues. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, disputes may be escalated to an appropriate external data protection authority or legal body, as per applicable laws and regulations.
Notification of Data Breaches
In the unlikely event of a data breach, we are committed to promptly notifying affected users. We will inform you via email or direct notification on our platform about the nature of the breach, the data involved, the potential impact, and the measures we are taking to address the breach. We will also provide guidance on steps you can take to protect your information. Our response complies with all applicable data protection laws.
Contact Information
For any questions or concerns regarding your privacy, please contact us here by creating a topic. We are dedicated to addressing your privacy-related inquiries and concerns promptly and effectively.
Policy Updates and User Responsibility
We reserve the right to update this privacy policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our platform. It is your responsibility to periodically review this policy for updates. The date of the most recent update will be noted at the end of this document. By continuing to use our platform after any changes are made, you accept and agree to the revised policy.
Last Updated: November 29, 2023