Privacy Policy for GTA Mobile App

Effective Date: 3-12-2025

The GTA App is the official mobile application of the Global Telangana Association (GTA). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect, and share your personal information when you use our mobile app.

By installing or using the GTA App, you consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please do not use the app.

1. Information We Collect

A. Personal Information (User-Provided)

When you create an account or use the GTA (Global Telangana Association) mobile application, we may collect the following personal details that you voluntarily provide:

• Full Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Profile Details (such as profile photo or other details you provide)
• City / Location (Manually Entered)

This information is used to create your user profile, enable community interactions, verify your identity, and allow you to participate in groups, events, and other GTA features.

B. Usage Information

We collect data based on how you interact with the GTA app. This helps us improve user experience and provide tailored services. The data we collect includes:

• Events you view or register for
• Groups you join and participate in
• Posts, likes, comments, and other interactions within the app
• App navigation patterns (how you move between screens, which features you use, etc.)
• Feature usage statistics (how often and in what manner specific features are used)

This data is used to optimize the app’s functionality, enhance your user experience, and provide relevant content.

C. Images & Media

If you choose to upload images or media (such as profile pictures, group posts, event images), we store them securely on cloud servers. Uploading images and other media is entirely optional.

We may also process and display the images in connection with your profile, posts, or events, according to your preferences. All uploaded images and media are subject to the app’s Content Guidelines.

D. Donation Information

For donations made through the app, we collect the following transaction details:

• Donation Amount: The total amount of the donation made through the app.
• Payment Status: The status of the payment (e.g., successful, pending, failed).
• Razorpay Order ID and Payment ID: Unique identifiers for tracking donations and transactions via Razorpay.
• Transaction Metadata: Additional information about the donation, such as the date, time, and any reference notes.

We do not store any sensitive financial information, including:

• Card numbers
• UPI PINs
• Bank login details

All payment processing is securely handled by Razorpay, which complies with industry-standard security protocols to protect your financial information.

Refund Policy

No Refund Policy

All donations made through the GTA App, website, or authorized payment partners are final and non-refundable.

Once a donation is submitted and payment is processed, it cannot be canceled, reversed, or refunded, regardless of the donation amount or purpose.

This policy applies to:

• One-time donations
• Recurring donations
• Charity campaigns
• Fundraising drives
• Emergency assistance contributions

Use of Funds

All funds donated to GTA initiatives will be allocated toward the designated charity, campaign, or community development program. GTA may, at its discretion, redirect unused or excess funds toward a similar charitable purpose to ensure maximum community benefit.

Transaction Errors

Refunds may only be considered under the following exceptional circumstances:

• Duplicate donation due to a technical error
• Incorrect donation amount caused by a verified payment processing glitch
• Card charged without donor authorization (verified fraud)

To request review of such cases, donors must:

• Provide proof of transaction
• Submit a written request within 48 hours of payment
• Allow 7–10 business days for investigation

Note:

Approval of any refund request is not guaranteed and remains at the sole discretion of GTA.

Event & Campaign Cancellations

If a specific charity campaign, drive, or planned initiative is canceled, donated funds will not be refunded. GTA may redirect the funds to a similar or related community cause. Donors will be notified within the app or via email. No cash refunds or reversals will be issued under any circumstances.

Donor Responsibility

Donors are responsible for reviewing all donation details, purpose, and amount before confirming payment. Donations should be made intentionally and with full understanding that they are non-refundable.

E. Device & Technical Information

We collect certain technical information about the device you use to access the app for operational and analytical purposes. This data helps us optimize the app’s performance and troubleshoot any issues. The data we collect includes:

• Device Model and Operating System: Information about the type of device and its operating system (e.g., Android, iOS).
• App Version: The version of the GTA app installed on your device.
• Crash Logs: Logs generated by the app in the event of a crash or error, which helps us diagnose and fix issues.
• Device Identifiers: Non-personal identifiers associated with your device (e.g., device ID, advertising ID).
• Network Information: Data about your network connection, such as Wi-Fi or cellular network information.

We do not collect the following unless explicitly required and permitted:

• GPS Location: We do not track or store your real-time location unless you explicitly allow location-based services (for events or group finders).
• Contacts: We do not access or store your contacts.
• SMS: We do not collect your SMS data.
• Microphone: We do not record audio unless explicitly required and permitted (e.g., voice messages).
• Storage Data: We do not access or collect data from your device storage unless you upload files, images, or videos to the app.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to provide, operate, and improve the GTA app and services. Specifically, we use your information for the following purposes:

• Create and Manage Your User Account: We use your information to set up and maintain your account, including handling login, profile management, and authentication.
• Enable Participation in Groups and Events: Your information helps us facilitate group memberships, event registrations, and related activities within the app.
• Process Donations Securely: We use your payment information to process donations and complete transactions via secure payment gateways (such as Razorpay).
• Send Important Notifications and Updates: We send push notifications, updates, and alerts regarding your account, groups, events, and other app-related matters. This may include promotional notifications if you opt-in.
• Improve App Performance and Fix Technical Issues: We use data on app performance, crash logs, and user interactions to identify bugs, improve app performance, and ensure reliability.
• Personalize User Experience: We personalize your app experience based on your interactions, preferences, and behavior within the app. This helps us offer relevant content, features, and recommendations.
• Ensure Community Safety and Prevent Misuse: We monitor activity to detect and prevent fraudulent, harmful, or unlawful behavior, ensuring the safety of our users and the integrity of the app.

3. Payments and Razorpay

Donations made through the GTA app are securely processed using Razorpay, a trusted third-party payment gateway. When you make a donation or payment, Razorpay may collect the following information:

• UPI Details: User-provided details for UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions.
• Card Information: Information related to debit/credit card transactions, including card number, expiration date, and cardholder name.
• Bank Details: Information required for bank transfers (if applicable).
• Payment Method Used: Information about the payment method selected, such as UPI, credit card, debit card, wallet, etc.

Razorpay's Privacy Policy governs all financial transactions made through the platform, and you can review it at any time here: Razorpay Privacy Policy.

4. Information Sharing

We respect your privacy and will not share your personal information with any third parties except in the following circumstances:

A. With Trusted Service Providers

We collaborate with trusted third-party service providers to help us deliver core app features securely and efficiently. These providers include:

• Firebase Authentication: For user authentication and secure login management.
• Firebase Firestore Database: For storing user data, events, groups, posts, and other content.
• Firebase Storage: For securely storing user-uploaded media such as images and videos.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): For sending push notifications to your device.
• Razorpay: For processing donations and payment transactions securely.

B. Legal Compliance

We may disclose your information to law enforcement, government authorities, or court orders if required by applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes.

C. Internal GTA Administration

Authorized members of the GTA team may have access to your data for purposes such as:

• Managing events
• Administering groups
• Handling donation processing

5. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and use industry-standard security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

• Encrypted Data Transfer (HTTPS / TLS): All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS and TLS protocols.
• Firebase Authentication: We rely on Firebase Authentication for secure login and user authentication.
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): We implement role-based access control to restrict access to your data.
• Secure Servers: We use secure servers protected by firewalls and monitored for vulnerabilities.
• Regular Security Updates: Our systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. You have the right to request the deletion of your account and personal information at any time by contacting us.

7. Your Rights

• Access Your Personal Information
• Update or Correct Your Data
• Request Deletion of Your Account
• Withdraw Consent
• Ask How Your Data is Used

8. Children’s Privacy

The GTA app is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or process personal data from children under 13 years old.

9. Third-Party Services We Use

• Firebase Authentication
• Firebase Firestore
• Firebase Cloud Messaging
• Firebase Storage
• Razorpay Payment Gateway

10. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page with the updated date.

11. Third-Party Links

The GTA App may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these websites.

12. Contact Us

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

Global Telangana Association (GTA)

Email: gtadev@devpixel.com