Privacy Policy

1. Introduction & Scope

Our commitment Pyramid Seva Dal (hereinafter “we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy and is dedicated to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, donate, register as a volunteer, participate in events, or otherwise interact with us. It applies to all users worldwide, in alignment with international data protection laws including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), where applicable. By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. Who We Are (Data Controller)

Pyramid Seva Dal is a charitable trust registered in India, with its registered office at Meditation Valley, NH-44, Medak District, Telangana – 502102, India. For any privacy-related inquiries, you can contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) at privacy@pyramidsevadal.org or via postal mail at the above address.

3. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

• Identity Data: name, username, date of birth, gender, nationality.
• Contact Data: email address, postal address, phone number.
• Financial Data: payment card details, bank account information (processed directly by our secure payment partners; we do not store full card numbers).
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, cookies, and usage data.
• Profile Data: volunteer history, event participation, interests, preferences, feedback.
• Sensitive Data: We do not intentionally collect sensitive data (e.g., health, religion, political opinions) unless voluntarily provided (e.g., for special assistance at events). Any such data is handled with extra care and only with your explicit consent.

4. How We Collect Your Information

We collect data through:

• Direct interactions: when you fill forms, donate, register, subscribe, or correspond with us.
• Automated technologies: cookies, log files, and analytics tools (see Section 9 on Cookies).
• Third parties: payment processors, social media platforms (if you interact with our pages), and public databases.

5. Why We Use Your Data (Purpose & Legal Basis)

We process your personal data only when we have a valid legal basis, such as:

Purpose	Legal Basis (GDPR)
Process donations and provide receipts	Performance of a contract / legitimate interest
Manage volunteer registrations and communications	Consent / contractual necessity
Send newsletters and updates (with opt-out)	Consent
Improve our website and services	Legitimate interests (to enhance user experience)
Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax reporting)	Legal obligation
Prevent fraud and ensure security	Legitimate interests (to protect our systems)

6. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We may share information with:

• Service providers: payment gateways, IT hosting, email delivery, analytics (all bound by confidentiality).
• Legal authorities: when required by law or to protect our rights.
• Volunteer coordinators: limited data for organising events and activities.
• International transfers: If you are in the EEA, note that your data may be transferred to and processed in India or other countries. We ensure appropriate safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses) are in place.

7. Data Security

We implement technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, loss, or alteration. These include encryption (SSL/TLS), firewalls, access controls, and regular security audits. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure – you also have a responsibility to safeguard your credentials.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. Typically:

• Donor records: 7 years (to comply with tax laws).
• Volunteer data: duration of active involvement + 2 years.
• Website usage data: 26 months (analytics).

9. Cookies & Similar Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance functionality and analyse traffic. We use:

• Essential cookies: necessary for site operation (e.g., session management).
• Analytics cookies: to understand visitor behaviour (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Marketing cookies: only with your consent (e.g., for social media sharing).

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

To exercise your rights, email privacy@pyramidsevadal.org. We will respond within 30 days (may extend for complex requests).

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 16 (or the age of majority in their country). We do not knowingly collect data from children without parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

12. International Compliance

We strive to comply with applicable privacy laws worldwide. For EU residents, we adhere to GDPR. For California residents, we provide the following CCPA-specific disclosures: we do not sell personal information; you have the right to know, delete, and opt-out (if applicable). For more, see our CCPA Notice.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be posted on this page with an effective date. We encourage you to review it periodically. If we make material changes, we will notify you via email or a prominent notice on our website.

14. Contact Us & Founder's Assurance

Brahmarshi Patriji founded Pyramid Seva Dal on the principles of truth and compassion. Upholding your trust is our highest priority. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy, please reach out:

Data Protection Officer: privacy@pyramidsevadal.org
Postal: Pyramid Seva Dal, Meditation Valley, NH-44, Medak District, Telangana – 502102, India
Phone: +91-40-1234-5678 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm IST)

Your data is handled with the same care we give to our own.

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