Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Sanathan Raksha ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience while using our mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App.

By downloading, installing, or using our App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our App.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect the following personal information when you use our App:

• Account Information: Full name, email address, phone number, and password when you create an account
• Profile Information: Occupation, profile picture, address (including location coordinates), volunteer role, bio, achievements, and social media links (if you choose to provide them)
• Payment Information: When making donations, we collect payment details through our third-party payment processor (PhonePe). We do not store your complete payment card information on our servers
• Transaction Information: Donation amounts, transaction IDs, merchant order IDs, and payment status

2.2 Form Submission Data

When you submit forms through our App (such as donations, helpline requests, women's safety reports, or other service requests), we collect:

• Information provided in the form fields (name, email, phone, description, location, etc.)
• Your user ID and profile information (if you are logged in)
• Location data (if you choose to share your location)
• Submission timestamps and status

2.3 Device and Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our App:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, mobile network information
• Usage Data: App features accessed, time spent on the App, pages viewed, and other usage statistics
• Push Notification Tokens: Device tokens for sending push notifications
• Location Data: GPS coordinates when you use location-based features (with your permission)

2.4 Volunteer Location Data

If you choose to become a volunteer through our App, we collect and store your location data (GPS coordinates) for the following purpose:

• Proximity-Based Notifications: We use your location to send you push notifications about reported incidents (such as helpline requests, women's safety reports, or animal rescue needs) that occur within a 5-kilometer radius of your location. This enables you to respond quickly and provide assistance when you are nearby.
• Location Storage: Your location coordinates are stored securely in your user profile and are only used to calculate proximity to reported incidents. We do not continuously track your real-time location; instead, we use the location information you provide in your profile or when you update your address.
• Volunteer Matching: Your location helps us match you with incidents where your assistance would be most effective, ensuring that volunteers can help those in need in their local area.

You can opt-out of volunteer notifications or update your location at any time through your profile settings. If you choose to disable location services or remove your location data, you will no longer receive proximity-based incident notifications.

2.5 Camera and Photo Library

With your permission, we may access your device's camera and photo library to allow you to upload profile pictures. We only access these features when you explicitly choose to use them.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To create and manage your account
• To process donations and payment transactions
• To provide and improve our services (helpline, women's safety reporting, volunteer management, etc.)
• To communicate with you about your account, transactions, and service requests
• To send you push notifications about important updates, services, and activities
• To display your profile information (including volunteer information) to other users when appropriate
• To send proximity-based notifications to volunteers: If you choose to become a volunteer, we use your location data to send you notifications about reported incidents (helpline requests, women's safety reports, animal rescue needs, etc.) that occur within a 5-kilometer radius of your location. This allows you to provide timely assistance to those in need in your local area.
• To verify payment transactions and prevent fraud
• To comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
• To analyze usage patterns and improve the App's functionality and user experience
• To ensure the security and integrity of our services

4. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect and process your information:

4.1 Firebase (Google)

We use Google Firebase services for:

• Firebase Authentication: User authentication and account management
• Cloud Firestore: Database storage for user profiles, form submissions, and app data
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): Push notification delivery

Google's privacy practices are governed by their Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.2 PhonePe Payment Gateway

We use PhonePe for processing payment transactions. When you make a donation, your payment information is processed by PhonePe in accordance with their privacy policy and terms of service. We do not store your complete payment card details.

PhonePe's privacy policy: https://www.phonepe.com/legal/privacy-policy/

4.3 Google Sign-In

If you choose to sign in using Google, Google will share certain information with us (such as your name and email address) in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.4 Expo

Our App is built using Expo, which may collect certain analytics and crash reporting data. Expo's privacy policy: https://expo.dev/privacy

5. Data Storage and Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

• Data is encrypted in transit using SSL/TLS
• Data is stored securely in Firebase Cloud Firestore with access controls
• We use secure authentication methods
• Payment information is processed through secure, PCI-compliant payment gateways

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. 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 records of transactions and form submissions as required by law

You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us. We will delete your information within 30 days of your request, subject to legal retention requirements.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can access and update your profile information through the App
• Correction: You can correct inaccurate information in your profile
• Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and personal data
• Opt-out: You can opt-out of push notifications through your device settings
• Location: You can disable location services through your device settings or remove your location data from your profile. Note that if you are a volunteer and disable location services, you will no longer receive proximity-based incident notifications within your 5 km radius.
• Volunteer Status: You can opt-out of being a volunteer at any time through your profile settings, which will stop proximity-based notifications
• Camera/Photos: You can revoke camera and photo library permissions through your device settings

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

8. Children's Privacy

Our App is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. By using our App, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries, including the United States where Firebase servers are located.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the App
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending you a push notification for material changes

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes are effective when they are posted in the App.

11. Your Consent

By using our App, you consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our App.

12. Contact Us

13. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising from this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in India.