1. Introduction

CollegeVaani ("we," "us," "our," or "Company") operates the website www.collegevaani.com and provides educational counseling and college discovery services. This Privacy Policy applies to all information collected through our website, mobile applications (if any), and related services (collectively, the "Services").

By using our Services, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies, please do not use our Services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number, and postal address
• Educational Information: Academic qualifications, current education level, preferred courses, and career interests
• Inquiry Details: Information submitted through contact forms, counseling requests, and lead generation forms
• Communication Records: Messages, emails, and correspondence with our team
• Demographic Information: Age, gender, state of residence, and city

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, and screen resolution
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, and navigation paths
• Referral Data: The website or source that referred you to CollegeVaani
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

• Partner universities and educational institutions
• Social media platforms (if you interact with us through social media)
• Marketing and advertising partners
• Public databases and records

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• Providing personalized college and course recommendations
• Connecting you with appropriate educational counselors
• Processing and responding to your inquiries
• Facilitating communication between you and partner institutions
• Delivering requested information about colleges, courses, and admissions

3.2 Communication

• Sending updates about your inquiries and applications
• Providing information about new courses, colleges, and educational opportunities
• Sharing newsletters, educational content, and relevant updates
• Responding to your questions and support requests
• Communicating via phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp, and email

3.3 Platform Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to improve our website and services
• Developing new features and functionality
• Conducting research and analytics
• Troubleshooting technical issues

3.4 Legal and Security

• Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Protecting against fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Enforcing our Terms and Conditions
• Protecting the rights and safety of users and third parties

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

4.1 Partner Educational Institutions

When you express interest in a college or course, we share relevant information with partner universities to facilitate your inquiry. This includes your contact details, educational background, and preferences. We only share information necessary for the specific purpose.

4.2 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Email and SMS communication services
• Analytics and data processing
• Customer support tools
• Payment processing (for paid services)

These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and are prohibited from using your information for any purpose other than providing services to us.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal process
• Protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• Investigate suspected fraud or violations of our terms
• Respond to emergency situations

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of the business transaction. You will be notified of any such change through our website or email.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

CollegeVaani uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. These include:

5.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign effectiveness

5.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

6. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption: All data transmissions are encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view your information
• Secure Servers: Data is stored on secure, protected servers
• Regular Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and updates
• Employee Training: Staff members are trained on data protection and privacy

While we take extensive precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your information to the best of our ability.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy
• Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Maintain records for audit and compliance purposes

When your information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it. Typical retention periods:

• Inquiry data: 3 years from the date of inquiry
• Communication records: 2 years
• Analytics data: 26 months

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 Access and Portability

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

8.2 Correction

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

8.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational requirements.

8.4 Opt-Out

You can opt out of:

• Marketing communications (via unsubscribe links in emails)
• SMS notifications (by replying STOP)
• Promotional calls (by informing our team)

8.5 Cookie Preferences

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@collegevaani.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

9. Children's Privacy

CollegeVaani services are intended for users aged 16 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

For users between 16-18 years of age, we recommend parental supervision when using our services.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including university websites, payment gateways, and social media platforms. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to India and other countries where we or our service providers operate.

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for any international transfers.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• For significant changes, we may notify you via email or website notice
• Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

13. Grievance Officer

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder, the name and contact details of the Grievance Officer are provided below:

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: