Effective Date: 1st August, 2024

This Privacy Policy outlines how Gauranga Darshan Das, a respected monk, educator, author, and spiritual leader, collects, uses, and protects personal information obtained from visitors of his website. The policy is committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled with care and transparency.

1. Introduction

Gauranga Darshan Das is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami and Dean of the Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha at ISKCON Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV), Mumbai. Through his website, Gauranga Darshan Das offers spiritual discourses, educational courses, and access to his published works. This Privacy Policy is intended to inform you about how your personal information is collected and used when you engage with the website, participate in online courses, purchase books, or contact the team.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal data that you voluntarily provide when interacting with the website, subscribing to newsletters, signing up for courses, purchasing materials, or contacting us through email or web forms. The information collected may include:

• Personal Identifiable Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and any other personal data shared when subscribing or contacting us.
• Transaction Information: Billing and payment details when you purchase books or register for courses.
• Technical Data: Information about your browser, IP address, and device type, collected automatically to ensure a smooth browsing experience.

We do not collect sensitive personal information such as religious beliefs or health data unless voluntarily provided by you in the context of participating in spiritual courses or events.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your personal data is used for the following purposes:

• Providing Services: To facilitate your participation in spiritual courses, events, and access to educational content.
• Order Processing: To handle and fulfill your book orders or course registration.
• Communication: To respond to your inquiries, provide updates on courses, and send newsletters or educational content.
• Website Functionality: To improve website performance and ensure smooth user experience through technical analysis.

We may also use your information to personalize your experience, ensuring that you receive content relevant to your interests.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior and preferences. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help improve website functionality and user experience.

• Types of Cookies:
  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function correctly.
  • Analytics Cookies: Used to track website usage and performance, helping us understand how visitors interact with the content.
  • Functionality Cookies: Allow us to remember your preferences, such as language settings.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, though disabling cookies may affect certain features of the website.

5. Sharing of Personal Data

Gauranga Darshan Das values your privacy and does not share, sell, or rent your personal information to third parties without your explicit consent, except in the following cases:

• Service Providers: We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers who assist in managing website functionalities, processing payments, or delivering emails.
• Legal Obligations: Your data may be disclosed to law enforcement or regulatory authorities when required by law or to protect our rights and the safety of our users.

We ensure that any third-party service providers are bound by strict data protection obligations.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Transaction data, such as order information, is retained for accounting and legal compliance purposes. Subscription data, such as newsletters or course registration information, is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.

7. Security of Your Information

We implement robust security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include secure servers, encryption, and regular security audits. However, no system is entirely foolproof, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. By using the website, you acknowledge the risks inherent in online communication.

8. Your Rights

You have the following rights concerning your personal data:

• Right to Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal data in specific circumstances, such as if the data is no longer necessary for the original purpose.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request the restriction of processing in certain situations.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request that your personal data be transferred to another data controller where applicable.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to certain types of processing, such as direct marketing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at gaurangadarshan@ecovillage.org.in.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without verifiable parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal data on the website, please contact us, and we will promptly delete the information.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external websites not controlled by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites before providing personal information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technological advancements. Any changes will be posted on this page with the effective date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed of any updates.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your personal data is handled, please reach out to us at:

• Email: gaurangadarshan@ecovillage.org.in
• Mailing Address: ISKCON Govardhan Ecovillage, Near Wada, Palghar District, Maharashtra, India.

By using this website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. Your continued interaction with the website after any changes to the policy signifies your acceptance of the updated terms.

Thank you for entrusting us with your personal information and supporting the spiritual journey led by Gauranga Darshan Das.