PRIVACY POLICY

Introduction

HKM Bangalore (FOLK) recognizes the importance of protecting your privacy. We value the trust you place in us and are committed to ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly and securely.

This Privacy Policy outlines how HKM Bangalore (FOLK) collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use our website https://folknet.in, our mobile application, or engage with us through other digital or offline channels.

When we ask you to provide information by which you can be identified, you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this Privacy Policy. The policy applies to all users—both current and former—of our digital platforms and services.

By accessing or using the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) website, mobile app, or any other affiliated platforms, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

We may update this policy periodically. We encourage you to review this page from time to time to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

https://folknet.in and the FOLK App are owned and operated by HKM Bangalore (FOLK), a nonprofit organisation established under the laws of India, with its registered office at:

HKM Bangalore (Non-Profit)
Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road,
Rajajinagar, Bengaluru – 560010, Karnataka, India.

Definitions and Scope

In this Privacy Policy (“Policy“), the following terms shall have the meanings set out below:

“FOLK”, “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to HKM Bangalore (FOLK).

“HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform” refers collectively to:

  • the website https://folknet.in,
  • the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) mobile application,
  • any other digital media operated by HKM Bangalore (FOLK),
  • and any related offline sources or services offered by the Company.

“You” and “your” refer to any user or visitor of the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform.

“Group” means, with respect to any person or entity, any entity that:

  • is controlled by such person,
  • controls such person,
  • is under common control with such person (whether directly or indirectly),
  • or, in the case of a natural person, includes any Relative (as defined under the Companies Act, 1956 and the Companies Act, 2013, to the extent applicable).

“Policy” refers to this Privacy Policy, which governs the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of your information.

Please read this Policy carefully before using the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform or submitting any personal information.
This Policy forms a part of and must be read in conjunction with our Terms of Use.

Information We Collect from You

HKM Bangalore (FOLK) collects various categories of personal, usage, and technical information to provide and improve our services. The types of information we collect include, but are not limited to:

1. Primary Information

We may collect the following personally identifiable information from you:

  • Full name
  • Contact number
  • Email address
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Marital status
  • Residential location and city area
  • Occupation
  • Device information

This information may be uploaded to our backend server at: https://us-central1-folk-bf69e.cloudfunctions.net

2. Talent Information

We may collect information about your skills or talents in areas such as (but not limited to):

  • Music, Dance, Theatrics
  • Graphic Design and Video Production
  • Cooking, Literary Arts, Public Speaking
  • Organizational, Leadership, Technical, and Sports Skills

We may also collect details regarding your experience, level of participation, and achievements in the above areas.

3. Government ID Proof

We may collect official identification documents for Know Your Customer (KYC) purposes and in compliance with Government of India security norms.

4. Payment and Billing Information

When you purchase a product or service, we may collect:

  • Billing name and address
  • Chosen payment method

Note: We do not collect credit/debit card numbers or expiration dates on our platform. All payments are securely processed through our payment partner, Instamojo. Read Instamojo’s privacy policy here.

5. Information You Post

We collect content you post:

  • In public forums on the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform
  • On third-party services used by us such as Landbot (privacy policy here)
  • On our official social media platforms, which are governed by the privacy policies of the respective platforms

6. Usage and Preference Information

We may collect data on:

  • Your interactions with our services
  • Preferences expressed and settings selected
  • Activity across our website, mobile app, and any third-party platforms that use our pixels, plugins, or advertising tools

This includes technical information such as:

  • IP address and location
  • Browser type, version, plug-ins
  • Operating system and platform
  • Login time, date stamps, user agent, and cookie IDs
  • Referrer URLs, pages visited, and actions taken

7. Transaction Information

We collect details of your service usage, such as:

  • Full URLs, services accessed, clicks and navigation paths
  • Time spent on pages, search queries, date and time of interactions
  • Promotional code use, amount charged, and contact details during support interactions

8. Stored Information and Files

With your permission, our mobile application may access files and metadata stored on your device, such as:

  • Photos, videos, audio clips
  • Contact list and calendar data
  • Social interaction data (names, responses to events, locations, etc.)

If you are a partner company, we may additionally record calls, SMS, location, and device-specific data related to service delivery.

9. Demographic and Survey Information

We may collect demographic details and preferences based on:

  • Events attended or shown interest in
  • Tickets purchased
  • Survey responses or voluntary data shared during your use of our services

10. Other Technical Information

We may collect:

  • IP address and browser information
  • Device type and operating system version
  • Referrer site, time on site, and navigation behavior
  • Device identifiers and diagnostic data

Ways of Collecting Information

We collect information about you through the following methods:

1. Information You Provide Directly

We collect information directly from you when you:

  • Register or create an account on the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform
  • Communicate with us via phone, email, or other means
  • Post comments, feedback, or other content on our Platform
  • Participate in surveys, promotions, events, or contests

2. Information Collected Passively

We use tracking technologies to gather information about your interactions with our Platform, including:

  • Cookies
  • Web beacons
  • Mobile device identifiers
  • Tracking pixels

We also use third-party tools and services, such as:

  • Google Analytics
  • Google Webmaster Tools
  • Google Cookies

These technologies help us understand usage patterns, improve user experience, and serve relevant content and advertisements.

3. Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

  • Third-party partners such as advertising networks, analytics providers, and search information providers
  • Affiliated entities that operate related websites, applications, or services
  • Other users who may provide feedback or reviews (especially if you are a service provider or partner company)

Examples of information we may receive include:

  • Cookie IDs and device identifiers
  • Demographic and interest data
  • Interaction data from third-party websites and apps
  • Content viewed, actions taken, or usage patterns

4. Information from Social Networking Services (SNS)

If you choose to sign in or connect your social media account (SNS) with the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform, you consent to the collection, storage, and use of information made available through that account. This may include:

  • Publicly available profile information
  • Information explicitly shared with us by the SNS
  • Any other data shared during the login or connection process

Please refer to your SNS provider’s privacy policy for more details on how your information is handled by them.

5. Partner Company Feedback

If you are a partner company, we may also collect:

  • Ratings and reviews submitted by other users
  • Feedback about your services, behavior, or interactions on the Platform

Use of Your Personal Information

We use the information we collect from you for the following purposes:

1. To Contact You

  • Confirm purchases or transactions made on the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform.
  • Send promotional messages and marketing communications.

2. To Fulfill Contracts and Deliver Services

  • Carry out obligations arising from any agreements or contracts between you and us.
  • Provide access to relevant services, content, or features as agreed.

3. To Respond to Your Requests

  • Confirm your registration for events or services.
  • Address your inquiries, support requests, and service needs.

4. To Improve Our Services

  • Customize user experiences based on preferences and behavior.
  • Enhance service quality by understanding user activity, preferences, and feature usage.
  • Process transactions, support customers, and respond to user queries.
  • Conduct research, data analysis, and reporting to refine our offerings.
  • For partner companies, track the progress and quality of service provided to users.

5. To Analyze Site Usage and User Interests

  • Understand website usage patterns and service demand.
  • Combine information from multiple sources (including third parties) to enhance personalization.
  • Provide information about similar or relevant services based on user activity or expressed interest.
  • Communicate via email, SMS, WhatsApp, telephone, or other means to share service-related updates or recommendations.

6. To Ensure Security

  • Protect the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform, our users, and our organization against threats or unauthorized access.

7. For Marketing and Promotional Activities

  • Share promotional offers, discounts, service updates, or newsletters.
  • Provide both our own and third-party products or services we believe may interest you.
  • Assess the effectiveness of advertisements and campaigns to improve marketing strategies.

8. To Send Transactional Communications

  • Notify you of order confirmations, payment receipts, or service activations.
  • Communicate relevant updates about your account or transactions.

9. To Showcase and Support Your Talents

  • Use your talent-related information to offer a platform for you to express, develop, and promote your skills.

10. To Comply with Legal and Security Requirements

  • Collect and use Government-issued ID proof as required by Indian law for:
  • KYC (Know Your Customer) purposes.
  • Security verification in campus accommodations.
  • Certification and identity validation.

11. As Permitted by Law

  • Combine, anonymize, or de-identify data collected via Services or third-party tools.
  • Use and disclose aggregated and anonymized data for research, analysis, or other lawful purposes.
  • Analyze server logs to monitor traffic, understand user behavior, and improve overall service and security.

Sharing / Disclosure / Distribution of Your Information with Third Parties

We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:

1. With Service Providers and Vendors

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf. These include:

  • Vendors, consultants, and business partners (e.g., payment processors, email/SMS providers, customer support platforms).
  • Marketing partners, analytics firms, survey facilitators, and others who help us improve and operate our Services.
  • These providers may send you communications (emails, messages, push notifications) or analyze usage patterns to enhance our Services.
  • Some service providers may be located outside India and your data may be transferred internationally in such cases.

2. With Advertisers and Advertising Networks

We may share information with advertising partners to serve ads both on the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform and across third-party websites or platforms.

  • These partners may use tracking technologies (e.g., cookies, web beacons, JavaScript) to collect data and personalize ad content.
  • While personalized advertising on our platform is not optional, you may opt out of interest-based advertising by third-party ad networks (e.g., DoubleClick, Facebook Audience Network, Google AdSense).
  • Note: Opt-outs may become ineffective if you clear cookies or switch devices.

3. With Business Partners

We may share your information with third-party business partners who offer products or services via our platform.

  • For example, when you place an order through our platform, relevant details are shared with the vendor to fulfill your request, similar to a direct transaction.
  • You may receive updates about your order via SMS, WhatsApp, email, or push notifications.

4. For Legal Compliance and Protection

We may share your information if required to:

  • Comply with applicable laws, legal processes, or regulatory obligations.
  • Respond to court orders, law enforcement, or other legal requests.
  • Protect against fraud, identity theft, abuse of our Services, or other unlawful activity.
  • Enforce our Terms of Use and related agreements or protect our rights, users, or property.
  • Respond to intellectual property claims or disputes.

5. For Internal Use and Business Transfers

We may share your information internally or with affiliates and group entities (as defined under “Group”):

  • For internal business and operational purposes.
  • In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of part or all of our business, your information may be transferred to the successor entity.

6. With Your Consent

We may share your information for purposes not covered in this Privacy Policy:

  • In such cases, we will notify you and obtain your explicit consent before sharing.

Your Consent

By accessing or using the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform and the services provided therein, you expressly consent to the collection, use, storage, processing, transfer, and disclosure of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with the terms of this Policy, please do not use or access the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform or any of the services offered through it.

Your continued use of the Platform shall be deemed as your acceptance of this Policy and any subsequent updates or modifications to it.

Cookies

The HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform, along with third-party partners, may use cookies and similar tracking technologies such as pixel tags, web beacons, mobile device IDs, “flash cookies”, and other files or technologies to collect and store information about your interaction with our Services and third-party websites.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your browser or device by websites, applications, online media, and advertisements. These files help websites remember information about your visit, which can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you.

How We Use Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use these technologies for various purposes, including:

  • Authenticating users and securing their sessions
  • Remembering user preferences, interests, and settings
  • Determining the popularity of content
  • Delivering and measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage trends
  • Understanding user behavior and engagement across our Services

Pixel Tags and Web Beacons

Pixel tags (also known as web beacons or clear GIFs) are tiny graphics with a unique identifier embedded invisibly in webpages, emails, or ads. They help us:

  • Track user engagement with web pages and ads
  • Measure the effectiveness of marketing and email campaigns
  • Determine whether emails or newsletters have been opened

Your Choices

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, including whether or not to accept them and how to remove them. By continuing to use our Services with your browser settings configured to accept cookies, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this section.

Third-Party Use of Cookies

We may allow third-party service providers to use cookies and similar technologies to perform analytics, serve advertisements on our behalf across the internet, and track the performance of those advertisements. These third parties may recognize your device across different websites and services.

Data Security Precautions

We are committed to ensuring the security of your personal information. To protect the data we collect, we implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures.

Our Security Practices Include:

  • Vault and Tokenization Services:
    We utilize vault and tokenization technologies provided by trusted third-party service providers to safeguard sensitive personal data. These services help minimize the risk of data exposure.
  • PCI-DSS Compliance:
    Our payment gateway and payment processing partners are compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS), ensuring the secure handling of payment-related information.
  • Encryption Advisory:
    We strongly advise you not to transmit your complete credit or debit card details through unencrypted electronic communication channels.

User Account Responsibility

Where we have issued or where you have created login credentials (such as a username and password) to access certain features of the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform, it is your responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of these credentials. Please do not share your password with anyone.

Transmission Over the Internet

While we strive to protect your personal data, it is important to understand that no method of data transmission over the internet is completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data transmitted through the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform.

Once we receive your information, we employ strict physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

Email Opt-Out

You have the option to opt out of receiving marketing and promotional emails from us.

If you wish to unsubscribe from our promotional communications, please send a request to info@folknet.in.
Please note that it may take up to 15 working days for your request to be processed.

Important: Even after you opt out of marketing communications, you will continue to receive transactional messages related to your purchases or use of our services. These may include confirmations, invoices, service updates, and other essential communications via email, SMS, or other contact methods you’ve provided.

Third-Party Sites

The HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. If you click on any of these links, you may be directed to websites that are not under our control.

Please be aware that any personal information collected by such third-party websites is governed by their respective privacy policies. This Privacy Policy does not apply to the practices of those websites. HKM Bangalore (FOLK) is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of any third-party sites linked to or accessed through our Platform.

We encourage you to carefully review the privacy policies of all external websites before providing any personal data.

Additionally, this Policy does not cover any information you may voluntarily disclose to our service providers or personnel that is not required by HKM Bangalore (FOLK) or this Policy. Please exercise discretion when sharing such information.

Grievance Officer

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the rules made thereunder, the name and contact details of the Grievance Officer designated to address any concerns or grievances regarding the processing of your personal information are provided below:

Name: Veeresh (Vallabha Chaitanya Dasa)
Address: HKM Bangalore, Hare Krishna Hill,
West of Chord Road,
Bangalore – 560010, Karnataka, India
Phone Number: +91 80 2357 8347 (Ext: 532) / +91 97431 21808
Email: vbcd@hkm-group.org

If you have any queries, concerns, or complaints regarding the collection or use of your personal information, you may contact the Grievance Officer using the above details. We will endeavor to address your complaint or grievance promptly in accordance with applicable law.

Jurisdiction

By accessing the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform, you agree that your visit and any dispute regarding privacy are subject to this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. All such disputes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Please note that the data collected through the HKM Bangalore (FOLK) Platform is stored using the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), provided by Google. Your data may be stored on servers located in India or in other jurisdictions, depending on the cloud service architecture.

Google Cloud Platform employs robust security measures to safeguard your data from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access. More information about these measures is available at https://cloud.google.com/ and their privacy practices are outlined at https://cloud.google.com/security/privacy/.

If you have any concerns about the data protection measures implemented by Google Cloud Platform, you may contact their data protection, privacy, or legal teams via the details provided in their respective privacy policies. Alternatively, you may reach out to our Grievance Officer (details provided above) for further assistance.

For any other queries or concerns regarding the processing or use of your information under this Policy, you may contact us at:

Email: info@folknet.in