Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Apply Bharat ("we," "our," or "us"). 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 for Indian university admissions, career counseling, and application services.

By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Name, email address, phone number, and contact details
• Educational background, academic records, and qualifications
• CV/resume documents and academic transcripts
• University and program preferences
• Payment information (processed securely through Easebuzz)
• Application details and documents
• Communication preferences and feedback

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use our platform, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, features used)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• Log files and analytics data

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, such as:

• Associates or counselors who register you on the platform
• Educational institutions and universities
• Payment processors (Easebuzz)
• Authentication providers (Firebase Auth)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services, including application processing and submission
• To process payments and manage financial transactions
• To provide AI-powered career counseling and university recommendations
• To communicate with you about your applications, services, and updates
• To personalize your experience and provide relevant content
• To improve our platform, services, and user experience
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms of service
• To send you marketing communications (with your consent)

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform, including:

• Firebase (authentication and database services)
• Easebuzz (payment processing)
• OpenAI (AI-powered counseling features)
• Pinecone (search and recommendation services)
• Cloud hosting and storage providers

4.2 Educational Institutions

When you apply to universities through our platform, we share your application information and documents with the respective educational institutions to process your applications.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Firewall and intrusion detection systems
• Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers

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. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal and contractual obligations)
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where applicable

To exercise these rights, please contact us at support@applybharat.com.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our platform and store certain information. Cookies are files with a small amount of data that are sent to your browser and stored on your device.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our platform.

We use cookies for:

• Authentication and session management
• Remembering your preferences and settings
• Analyzing usage patterns and improving our services
• Providing personalized content and recommendations

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. We may retain certain information:

• For the duration of your account and application process
• As required by legal, accounting, or regulatory obligations
• To resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• For legitimate business purposes, such as improving our services

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for users who are at least 13 years of age. 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. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

10. 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 services, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries. We take appropriate measures to ensure your information receives adequate protection in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11. 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 on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: