Last updated: January 1, 2025
Welcome to Aspirant Sarthi ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform at aspirantsarthi.com and app.aspirantsarthi.com (collectively, the "Service"). Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Service.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account information: Name, email address, profile photo (optional), and password when you register.
- Profile information: Age, graduation year, target exam, optional paper, attempt year, and number of past attempts. This information is used to personalise your experience.
- Study data: Daily targets you create, completion status, monthly targets, and past exam results you voluntarily enter.
- Content: Messages in group chats, answer writing images you upload, and poll votes.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage data: Pages visited, features used, and interaction patterns to improve the platform.
- Device data: Browser type, operating system, and device type for compatibility.
- Log data: IP address, access times, and referring URLs for security and analytics.
- Cookies and local storage: For authentication state persistence and user preferences.
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- Google Sign-In: If you choose to sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile photo from Google as permitted by your Google account settings.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Create and manage your account and authenticate your identity.
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Service and its features.
- Personalise your study experience based on your exam profile.
- Enable group features including shared progress, group chat, and study targets.
- Send you important service notifications (not marketing) via email.
- Monitor and analyse usage to improve the platform.
- Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats.
- Comply with legal obligations under applicable Indian and international law.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share data in the following limited circumstances:
- With study group members: Information you explicitly choose to share with a study group (targets marked "visible to group," chat messages, answer uploads) is visible to members of that group.
- Service providers: We use Google Firebase (Google LLC) for authentication, database, and file storage. Google acts as a data processor under our instructions.
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government authority, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Aspirant Sarthi, our users, or the public.
- Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred. We will notify you before your data is subject to a different Privacy Policy.
4. Data Storage and Security
Your data is stored securely on Google Firebase servers. We implement industry-standard security measures including:
- TLS/HTTPS encryption for all data in transit.
- Firebase Security Rules restricting database access to authenticated users.
- Regular security audits and dependency updates.
- Minimal data collection — we only collect what is necessary for the Service to function.
While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. You may delete your account at any time by contacting us at support@aspirantsarthi.com, after which we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.
6. Your Rights
Under applicable Indian law (Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules, 2011) and where applicable, GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
- Portability: Request your data in a portable, machine-readable format.
- Withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time.
To exercise these rights, email us at support@aspirantsarthi.com.
7. Children's Privacy
Aspirant Sarthi is intended for users aged 15 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
8. Cookies
We use essential cookies and browser local storage to maintain your authentication session and user preferences. We do not use advertising cookies or third-party tracking cookies. You may clear cookies through your browser settings, but this will log you out of the Service.
9. Third-Party Links
The Service may contain links to third-party websites. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content or privacy practices of any third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last updated" date and, for significant changes, by sending an email notification. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
- Email: support@aspirantsarthi.com
- Website: aspirantsarthi.com