1. Introduction
Welcome to Familiarise ("[COMPANY NAME]"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform, website, and services.
By accessing or using our services, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site or use our services.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information
We collect personal information that you provide to us when you:
- Register for an account (name, email address, phone number)
- Complete your profile (professional details, expertise, education)
- Book consultations, classes, webinars, or subscriptions
- Make payments (payment card information processed through Razorpay)
- Contact our customer support
- Participate in surveys, promotions, or feedback forms
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you access our platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:
- Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
- Usage data (pages visited, time spent, click patterns)
- Location information (approximate location based on IP address)
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
2.3 Session and Communication Data
During your use of our services, we may collect:
- Chat messages and communications between users
- Video conference metadata (session duration, participants)
- Course materials and content uploads
- Ratings and reviews
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
3.1 Service Delivery
- Create and manage your account
- Process bookings and schedule appointments
- Facilitate communication between consultants and students
- Provide video conferencing and chat services
- Deliver course materials and educational content
- Send transactional emails and notifications
3.2 Payment Processing
- Process payments securely through Razorpay
- Manage settlements and refunds
- Prevent fraudulent transactions
- Generate invoices and receipts
3.3 Platform Improvement
- Analyze platform usage and performance
- Improve user experience and features
- Develop new services and functionalities
- Conduct research and analytics
3.4 Communication
- Send important updates about your bookings
- Respond to your inquiries and support requests
- Send marketing communications (with your consent)
- Notify you about platform changes and new features
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
4.1 With Other Users
- Your profile information is visible to other users
- Consultants can see student booking information
- Students can see consultant profiles and availability
- Reviews and ratings are publicly visible
4.2 With Service Providers
We share information with trusted third-party service providers:
- Razorpay: Payment processing and transaction management
- GetStream: Video conferencing and real-time communication
- Cloud Storage Providers: Secure data storage and backup
- Email Service Providers: Transactional and marketing emails
- Analytics Providers: Platform usage analysis and improvement
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or to:
- Comply with legal obligations or court orders
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Prevent fraud or security threats
- Enforce our Terms & Conditions
4.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have.
5. Data Security
We implement robust security measures to protect your personal information:
- Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest
- Secure Payments: Payment information is processed through PCI-DSS compliant Razorpay
- Access Controls: Limited access to personal data by authorized personnel only
- Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing
- Secure Infrastructure: Hosting on secure cloud platforms with backups
While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:
6.1 Types of Cookies
- Essential Cookies: Required for the platform to function properly
- Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our platform
- Marketing Cookies: Track marketing campaign effectiveness
6.2 Cookie Management
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our platform. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing cookies.
7. Your Rights and Choices
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
7.1 Access and Correction
- Access your personal information through your account settings
- Update or correct inaccurate information
- Request a copy of your data
7.2 Data Deletion
- Request deletion of your account and associated data
- Note: Some information may be retained for legal or legitimate business purposes
- Backup copies may persist for a limited time after deletion
7.3 Marketing Communications
- Opt-out of marketing emails by clicking "unsubscribe" in any email
- Manage notification preferences in your account settings
- Note: You will still receive essential transactional emails
7.4 Data Portability
- Request your data in a machine-readable format
- Transfer your data to another service (where technically feasible)
8. Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.
Users between the ages of 13 and 18 must have parental or guardian consent to use our services.
9. 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. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
10. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Provide our services to you
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
- Maintain business records for tax and accounting purposes
When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within a reasonable timeframe, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
11. Third-Party Links
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
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. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on this page
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top
- Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)
- Displaying a prominent notice on our platform
Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Your Privacy Matters
We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly. If you have any concerns about how your information is being used, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help and ensure your experience on Familiarise is safe and secure.