Privacy Policy
The Institution of Engineers (India)

The Institution of Engineers (India) ("IEI," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and users of its mobile application. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your information when you use our mobile application (the "App") and informs you of your privacy rights.

By using the IEI Mobile App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

Our primary purpose is to inform and engage engineers, budding engineers, and technocrats by providing information on technical events and the latest developments in engineering and science. To provide a personalized and seamless experience, we collect certain information as described below.

1.1. Information You Provide Directly

While you can browse general information anonymously, accessing certain member-specific features or personalized services may require you to provide information. This may include:

• Account Information: When you log in, you may provide your membership credentials e.g. name, email address, and membership number.
• Profile Information: You may have the ability to add optional information to your profile to enhance your experience.

1.2. Information Collected Automatically (Server-Side & Cookies)

When you use the App, we automatically collect certain information to maintain security, remember your login state, and improve functionality:

• Web Tokens & Session Information: To keep you logged in and maintain a secure session, we store a web token on your device. This token contains basic user identification information to authenticate you with our servers without requiring you to re-enter your password on every interaction.
• Usage Data: We may collect anonymous information about how you use the App, such as which event pages you view, to help us understand user preferences and improve our content.
• Device Information: Basic, non-personal information about your mobile device (such as operating system version) may be collected to ensure the App functions correctly.

1.3. Use of Cookies

A cookie is a small piece of data stored on your device. In our App:

• Essential Cookies: We use essential cookies and similar local storage technologies to store web tokens and basic session information. These are strictly necessary for you to move around the App and use its features, such as accessing member-only areas.
• Session Cookies: We use session ID cookies. Once you close the App or log out, the session cookie terminates.
• No Persistent Tracking: We do not use persistent cookies to track your browsing behavior across different websites or for targeted advertising purposes.
• Purpose: Information stored in cookies is used solely to authenticate users, enhance security, and save you from having to log in multiple times during a single session.

1.4. Information from Third-Party Integrations

The App includes links to external websites or services for additional information or resources.

• Redirects to IEI Website: The App may redirect users to the official IEI website (www.ieindia.org), where various services are offered. Please be advised that the IEI website may collect personal data (such as names, email addresses, and membership details) when you register for events or access specific online services.
• External Links: The App may contain links to other third-party sites that are not operated by us.
• Responsibility: We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any third-party sites. We strongly advise you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit before providing any personal data.

1.5. Media and Storage Access

With your explicit permission, our app may access media files (images and videos) stored on your device. This access is used solely for specific features that enhance your experience within the App:

• Photo/Video Upload: You may choose to upload images or videos to share with IEI or other members in relation to events, technical discussions, or profile updates. This action is always initiated by you.
• Saving Content: You may have the option to save event materials, certificates, or other resources from the App to your device's storage.

How We Handle Media:

• On Android 13+ (API 33+), we request specific permissions for accessing images (READ_MEDIA_IMAGES) and videos (READ_MEDIA_VIDEO) separately.
• On older Android versions, we may request storage permission (READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE) to provide similar functionality.
• Media files you upload to our services are transmitted securely and stored on our servers only when you explicitly submit them (e.g., when uploading a profile picture or submitting an event photo).
• We do not scan, analyze, or collect your media files without your direct action.
• Media files you choose not to upload remain solely on your device and are not accessible to IEI.

2. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect (including information stored in cookies) may be used for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Maintain our Service: Including monitoring the usage of our App and authenticating user access.
• To Manage Your Account: To manage your registration as a user of the App's member-specific features.
• To Contact You: To contact you by email or other electronic means regarding updates, informative communications related to events, or security updates when necessary or reasonable.
• To Improve User Experience: To understand how users interact with the App and to develop new features or content that are well-tailored to their needs.
• For Security: To protect the security and integrity of our App and servers.

3. Non-Disclosure of Sensitive Information

We define sensitive information as defined under applicable laws, including information about an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, or health information.

• We do not actively collect such sensitive information through the App.
• If, in a limited circumstance, we need to collect such information, it will be used only for the primary purpose for which it was obtained, with your explicit consent, or when required or authorized by law.

Media Content: Any images or videos you voluntarily upload through the App may contain metadata (such as GPS location, camera settings, or timestamps). You are responsible for removing sensitive metadata from media files before uploading if you do not wish to share this information. IEI does not use this metadata for any purpose other than displaying the media as intended.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

4.1. No Data Sharing with Third-Party Advertisers

The Institution of Engineers (India) does not share your personal information or web usage information with any third parties for the purpose of targeting advertisements.

4.2. Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or a government agency).

5. Data Security

The security of your information is important to us. We employ reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes securing the transmission of web tokens between the App and our servers. For any media files you upload, we implement additional safeguards including encrypted transmission (HTTPS/TLS) and access controls to ensure your visual data remains confidential and is only used for the purposes you authorized. However, remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.

6. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your information:

• Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: You have the right to have inaccurate or incomplete information corrected.
• Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
• Media Deletion: If you have uploaded images or videos through the App, you may request their deletion by contacting us. Please note that some media may be retained in backups or for legal compliance purposes for a reasonable period.
• Logout/Clear Data: You can log out of the App at any time, which will terminate your session token. You may also clear the App's data/cache through your device settings to remove stored cookies.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 8. To protect your privacy and security, we may require verification of your identity before fulfilling such requests.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal and regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. Your continued use of the App after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

8. Contact Us

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