Privacy Policy

Your privacy and data security are fundamental to our mission of connecting the global Indian diaspora

Last Updated: January 2024
Effective Date: January 1, 2024

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

IndiaAbroad.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting Indians living abroad. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with the highest standards of care and transparency.

Key Privacy Principles

  • • We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information
  • • We collect only the minimum data necessary to provide our services
  • • We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data
  • • We are transparent about how we collect, use, and share information
  • • You have control over your personal information and privacy settings

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

  • Account Information: Name, email address, country/region of residence
  • Profile Information: Optional demographic information, interests, professional background
  • Communication Data: Messages, posts, and interactions within our community platform
  • Donation Information: Payment details processed securely through third-party processors
  • Contact Information: When you contact us for support or inquiries

Information Automatically Collected

  • Usage Data: How you interact with our website and services
  • Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address
  • Cookies: Small files that help us improve your experience
  • Analytics Data: Aggregated, non-personal usage statistics

How We Use Your Information

Community Services

  • • Facilitate connections between community members
  • • Provide personalized content and recommendations
  • • Enable participation in community discussions
  • • Send relevant community updates and newsletters

Platform Operations

  • • Maintain and improve our services
  • • Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
  • • Ensure platform security and prevent abuse
  • • Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience

Legal and Compliance

  • • Comply with applicable laws and regulations
  • • Respond to legal requests and prevent fraud
  • • Protect the rights and safety of our community
  • • Maintain records for nonprofit compliance

Communications

  • • Send important service announcements
  • • Share impact reports and organizational updates
  • • Provide donation receipts and tax documentation
  • • Respond to your questions and feedback

How We Share Information

We Never Sell Your Data

As a nonprofit organization, we never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes.

Limited Sharing Scenarios

  • Service Providers: Trusted third parties who help us operate our platform (payment processors, email services, hosting providers)
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety
  • Community Features: Information you choose to share publicly in community discussions
  • Aggregated Data: Non-personal, statistical information for research and impact reporting

Data Security

Technical Safeguards

  • • SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
  • • Secure data storage with encryption at rest
  • • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • • Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
  • • Automated backup and disaster recovery systems

Organizational Measures

  • • Limited access to personal data on need-to-know basis
  • • Regular staff training on privacy and security
  • • Incident response procedures for data breaches
  • • Third-party security certifications and compliance
  • • Regular review and update of security policies

Your Privacy Rights

Access & Portability

Request a copy of your personal information and download your data

Correction & Updates

Update or correct inaccurate personal information

Deletion

Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)

Communication Preferences

Control what communications you receive from us

Privacy Settings

Manage your profile visibility and community participation

Account Deactivation

Temporarily or permanently deactivate your account

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected] or use our online privacy request form.

We will respond to your request within 30 days and may need to verify your identity to protect your privacy.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required for basic website functionality and security

Functional Cookies

Remember your preferences and settings

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors use our website

Communication Cookies

Enable community features and messaging

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our website.

Learn more about managing cookies →

International Users

Global Community, Local Compliance

IndiaAbroad.org serves a global community of Indians living in 195+ countries. We are committed to complying with applicable privacy laws wherever our users are located.

GDPR (European Union)

We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation for users in the EU/EEA.

CCPA (California)

We honor California Consumer Privacy Act rights for California residents.

Data Transfers

We use appropriate safeguards for international data transfers, including standard contractual clauses.

Local Representatives

We work with local representatives in key jurisdictions to ensure compliance.

Children's Privacy

Age Restrictions

Our services are intended for users 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

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.

Notification: We will notify you of material changes via email or prominent notice on our website

Effective Date: Changes become effective 30 days after notification

Continued Use: Your continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance

Version History: Previous versions of this policy are available upon request

Contact Us

Privacy Questions or Concerns?

We're here to help you understand and exercise your privacy rights. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Privacy Officer

[email protected]

General Contact

[email protected]

Mailing Address

IndiaAbroad.org
[Address to be provided]
United States

Response Time

We respond within 48 hours