Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY
Zápal(herein referred to as “Zápal”, “we”. “us” or “Our”) owns, operates and maintain the website https://www.Zápal.in (“Website”). Zápal offers curated and specially designed higher education and industry-relevant short duration international immersion programs in different countries. Academic component of Zápal (“Programs”) are delivered in association with the program partner universities abroad. The other components such as Industry visit, cultural activities, attending a trade event etc are delivered by our own Team of experts. This Website provides information about the Programs or the universities and assists User by providing information on the admission process, details of the Program, university of their interest. This Website also acquaints User with all the available learning options. This Website does not take applications/registrations on behalf of any institution irrespective of whether they are partner universities or other listed universities. In order to deliver the Programs in an efficient manner and to make available the information about the Programs, Zápal collects certain information regarding the User. Zápal values the trust placed by Users and therefore, we follow the highest standards to protect your Personal Information.
This Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) describes how we collect, use, update, delete and share information about our users (hereinafter referred to as “User”, “you” or “your”) through our Platform. Please review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy (collectively referred to as the “Terms”) that govern the use of the Website, Platform and the Programs. This Privacy Policy shall form a part of the Terms by way of reference. All capitalized terms not defined in this Privacy Policy have the respective meanings set forth in the Terms of Use. This Privacy Policy applies only to the part of the Website, Platform provided by Zápal, and we are not responsible for the practices of persons, companies, institutions or websites that Zápal does not control, manage or employ.
User shall mean and include any person/persons, who visits, uses, deals with and/or transacts through the Website and includes a guest user and browser.
We take care and perform due diligence to ensure privacy aspects of each and every individual who interact with our Platform, by design and by default, in alignment with all applicable laws and regulations.
By submitting any Personally Identifiable Information (defined below) to us, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, utilization, updating, disclosure, and retention of your information (including, but not limited to, your Personally Identifiable Information) in accordance with this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use, as well as any applicable laws. Zápal retains the right to share the collected information with its affiliates. In the event of a sale or transfer of all or part of our business assets, consumer information may be included in the assets transferred. If you do not agree with these terms, please refrain from providing any Personally Identifiable Information to us. Refusal or withdrawal of consent, or failure to provide necessary Personally Identifiable Information, may result in the inability to access certain services offered by our organization.
This Policy has been drafted in accordance with the applicable data protection laws, rules and regulations but not limited to General Data Protection Regulation, 2018 (“GDPR”), the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures And Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 (“IT Rules”), collectively referred to as “Data Protection Laws”
1. INFORMATION COVERED BY THIS PRIVACY POLICY
Certain features or services on our Website can be utilized without disclosing personal information. However, for functionalities or services associated with the Programs, personal information is necessary. If you choose not to utilize these specific features or services on the Platform, the only information we gather will be "Non-Personal Information," such as the web pages you have visited. To access certain features and advantages on our Platform, you may be required to provide "Personally Identifiable Information," which can include, but is not limited to, details like your name, email address, contact number (both cellular and landline), educational qualifications, and post-qualification work experience. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the Personally Identifiable Information you provide to Zápal. Inaccurate information could impact your ability to use the website, the relevance of the information you receive while using the Platform, and our ability to communicate with you effectively. For instance, maintaining a valid email address and contact number is essential as these are the primary channels through which we engage with you.
2. INFORMATION COLLECTION
NON-PERSONAL INFORMATION
When you visit our Website or Platform, we may gather, track, and compile Non-Personal Information, which includes details such as the pages visited, their sequence, timing, and the hyperlinks clicked. Additionally, we collect data from the URLs that link to our Website or Platform. This collection process may involve recording the IP address, operating system, and browser software utilized by each user accessing the Website or Platform. Although this information might not directly identify individuals, local regulations may permit us to infer a user's Internet Service Provider and geographical location based on their IP address. We gather Non-Personally Identifiable Information from Website visitors to analyze the overall visitor count in an aggregated format and to determine the types of Internet browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer®) and operating systems (e.g., Windows®) being used. This data aids us in continuously enhancing our Website, Platform, and services.
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
Personal Identifiable Information, you share with Zápal shall have a meaning derived from the definition of ‘Personal Information’ or ‘Personal Data’ as per respective Data Protection Laws applicable to you.
The information you provide is strictly used for the purposes outlined in our Policy. We collect this information through our Platform or third-party platforms when you register for updates or Programs, participate in public forums, use our chat room services, receive emails or calls, join online or offline events, or access other services via our Platform or through offline activities organized by Zápal or its Educational Partners. This information may include your name, postal address, email address, contact number, social security or tax identification numbers, login credentials (for registered users), educational background, salary details, career objectives, post-qualification experience, and photographs. Additionally, demographic data such as gender, socio-economic status, and similar personal details are also collected. Bank account information may be required for scholarships, refunds, or referrals, but we do not collect any other financial information, as all payments are managed by third-party payment gateway providers.
We collect this information in a number of ways, including when you enter it while using our Website, Platform, interact with our customer support, or participate in our surveys, or marketing promotions.
If you require financial assistance, Zápal may suggest specific third-party credit facility providers. Should you choose to engage with these providers, any information you furnish to them will be subject to their respective terms of use and policies, as you would be their direct customer. It's important to understand that Zápal does not oversee, manage, or regulate these third-party providers
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Other types of data that we may collect from you or pertaining to you include:
• Details of your interactions with our customer service and maintenance team
• User-generated content uploaded or posted to public forums via the Platform
• Information required for compliance with applicable procedures, laws, and regulations, where necessary for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others
• Recordings of conversations with students or users expressing interest in our programs
• Any additional information you opt to provide directly to us in relation to your utilization of the Website, Platform, and Programs.
THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS
We may receive your data when you access or log in to a third-party platform, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or WhatsApp, from our Website or Platforms, or when you engage with our advertisements on such third-party platforms. This may entail the transfer of text and/or images containing your Personally Identifiable Information from the third-party site. Please note that the information we acquire from these third-party platforms is typically subject to their privacy policies and your settings regarding the sharing of information.
We engage third-party entities to advertise on our behalf across the internet, social networking sites, and blogs. These entities may gather or retain data regarding your visits to our Website or Platform and your interactions with our products and services. They might also utilize this data, along with information gathered from your visits to other websites, to tailor advertisements for products and services or for other purposes. This data collection is facilitated by pixel tags, an industry-standard technology used by many major websites. Zápal does not authorize these third parties to sell or distribute your Personally Identifiable Information as part of this process. However, if such third parties do engage in the sale or distribution of Personally Identifiable Information, Zápal's responsibility is limited to providing reasonable assistance should you decide to take action against such third parties, at your own expense.
We collaborate with third-party sales and marketing affiliates who may gather your data through their various channels and share it with us based on your interest in our Programs. For instance, an affiliate might host an event and provide Zápal with attendee details.
INFORMATION WE RECEIVE FROM OTHER SOURCES
We may obtain information about you from other platforms operated by us or from the additional services we offer. In such instances, this data may be internally shared and merged with the information collected on our Website or Platform. Additionally, we maintain close collaboration with various third-party entities, including Educational Partners, scholarship providers, marketing partners, sales affiliates, subcontractors in technical/advertising networks, analytics providers, and search information providers. From these sources, we may receive information about you. Furthermore, we may receive your data from your employers, educational institutions, or scholarship providers if your participation in a Program is partially or fully sponsored by such a third party. The third party sponsoring your involvement in the Programs may furnish us with your information, subject to our agreement with them. Consequently, the third-party sponsor may hold control over such data. In cases where you have been referred through a referral scheme, we will obtain your information from the referrer.
3. UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION
We may employ the information we gather, with your consent, for various purposes including, but not limited to, registering you on our Website or Platform, furnishing you with details regarding our Programs, extending offers related to Zápal or its subsidiary and affiliated companies, addressing your inquiries or expressed interest in our Programs, and disseminating updates about the Programs, other Zápal events, platform maintenance, or new services provided by Zápal. These communications may be conducted through email, SMS, phone calls, or any other suitable medium.
Even if you have registered under the DND (Do Not Disturb), DNC (Do Not Call), or NCPR (National Customer Preference Register) service, you authorize us to contact you, or allow any third party to contact you, for the aforementioned purposes until 365 days from your registration with us. Zápal may send email notices or contact you via SMS, phone call, or any other medium to relay information about its programs and other relevant details.
On occasion, we may engage business partners, operational service providers, and subcontractors ("Service Providers") to facilitate and manage our services for Users, as well as to adhere to legal and regulatory mandates. Under this Privacy Policy, our Service Providers are obligated to safeguard the information we provide them in a manner consistent with this Privacy Policy. While we exercise due diligence in selecting our Service Providers and require them to uphold information protection standards, they are independent third parties, and we may not have control over their privacy practices.
Your Personally Identifiable Information may be utilized to furnish services to you and for quality assurance purposes. Additionally, we may archive this information and/or employ it for future correspondence with you. For instance, Zápal may offer chat room services enabling communication with Zápal’s staff members, utilizing and sharing your Personally Identifiable Information to facilitate these services. Furthermore, Zápal’s staff members may establish groups on platforms like WhatsApp, including you as a member, to deliver services in conjunction with the Programs, such as program updates or details of potential employers.
Please note that information disclosed on a third-party service provider’s platform is subject to the privacy policies of that third party, or your own settings governing what information you consent to share. Zápal and/or its associates shall bear no liability in this regard.
Zápal may utilize and share your information to enhance its services and offerings. For instance, we may collaborate with auditors or surveyors to assess the impact of our Programs on your career. To this end, we may communicate with you via phone calls, email questionnaires, or request your participation in workshops.
Regarding any Personally Identifiable Information containing images of you collected by us, you grant Zápal a limited, non-exclusive right to utilize, reproduce, distribute, or prepare derivative works, or publicly display such images and/or your likeness in relation to the Program or for marketing purposes. We may utilize your photograph along with employer information, testimonials, transition information, designation changes, etc., for advertisements and/or social media posts to showcase the achievements of our learners.
Non-Personal Information is employed in aggregate form to enhance the quality and utility of our services by conducting statistical analyses of the collective characteristics and behavior of our Users, and by evaluating demographics and interests pertaining to specific areas of our Website.
If the processing of your Personally Identifiable Information is subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulations, we utilize your Personally Identifiable Information where the processing aligns with our legitimate interests.
4. SHARING YOUR INFORMATION
In addition to the examples provided above, we will share your information in the following manner:
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS
We may share your personal information and performance details with the educational partner (like a university or company) responsible for your program, as well as with instructors, external graders, and mentors involved in the program. This is to report your progress and enable the issuance of a certificate upon completion. The handling of this information by our educational partners will be governed by their own privacy policies. Additionally, we may store this information for future communications with you.
EMPLOYERS, SPONSORS AND SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDERS
If your program is sponsored or funded by your employer, a sponsor, or through a third-party scholarship, we may share your personal information, grades, and program progress with these parties at any point during or after the program.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
We may share your information with contractors and third-party service providers who assist us in operating our services under strict confidentiality agreements. They are allowed to access your information solely to perform services like billing, sales, marketing, test proctoring, mentoring, and more, but cannot use it for other purposes. In specific instances, we might also share your personal information with external platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp to deliver services you've requested or those associated with our Programs. Additionally, third-party tools such as Typeform or Google Forms may collect and store your information on their servers.
ALUMNI PORTAL AND NETWORKING SERVICES
We may collaborate with certain third-party service providers to arrange and provide networking activities to previous, current or potential students of Zápal. For this purpose, Zápal may share certain basic information such as your name, email address and cohort details with such third-party service providers in order to enable them to invite you to connect. Should you agree to sign up to their services, please note that any information you provide will be governed by their policies. In certain cases, in order to facilitate communication between students, we may share your information with other students on chat forums such as WhatsApp and Facebook.
GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY DISCLOSURE
Zápal may share your information with government authorities in response to legal orders or processes to protect or defend our legal rights, our property, or to counter legal claims. Additionally, we may disclose your information to address illegal activities, protect the rights, property, or safety of Zápal, our platform, and its users, or as required by law. We retain the right to raise or waive any legal defenses or objections in such situations. This sharing aligns with our efforts to comply with legal requirements and uphold our terms and agreements.
ASSOCIATES AND BUSINESS TRANSFERS
Zápal may share your Personally Identifiable Information with any "Associate," which refers to any entity controlled by, controlling, or under common control with the person in question, or for a natural person, any relative as defined by the Companies Act of 1956 and 2013. Additionally, in the event of a sale, merger, or reorganization involving all or most of Zápal’s equity, business, or assets, your information may be disclosed or transferred to the succeeding entity.
BUSINESS PARTNERS
Zápal may share information that can be used to directly contact you with third-party business partners, such as companies that may be offering products or services or other opportunities that may be of interest to you.
5. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
If you voluntarily display your Personally Identifiable Information on the Platform, it may be used by third parties for unsolicited purposes. Please be aware that Zápal is not liable for any such unsolicited use of your information by third parties.
6. AGGREGATED DATA
"Aggregated Data" refers to records that have been anonymized by removing all Personally Identifying Information and then manipulated or combined to create generalized, anonymous information. Your personal details are not identifiable in Aggregated Data. We may use your information anonymously, along with other data, to create Aggregated Data. This is used internally, commercially, and shared with affiliates, subsidiaries, and business partners for planning and marketing purposes.
7. PROTECTION OF INFORMATION
CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY
Zápal takes all reasonable precautions to protect your Personally Identifiable Information both online and offline, in order to avoid any un authorised access or breach.
NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES
We may update this Privacy Policy at any time, and it will be posted on this Platform as and when it is updated, so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and the circumstances under which we may disclose it. Unless stated otherwise, our current privacy policy applies to all information that Zápal has about You and Your account, even if it was collected in the past.
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND MOBILE NUMBER
We may store the email addresses/mobile numbers of those who communicate with us via email/mobile or who have shown interest in our Programs and add them to our mailing/SMS/call list when you sign up to receive special promotions and updates.
OPTING OUT
If you are a registered user and want to change your preferences or opt out of receiving regular mail, SMS, or calls, you can send us an email with your request. Please expect up to 30 business days for your opt-out to be processed, as some promotions may already be underway. Note that opting out of communications does not mean your information will be deleted. Additionally, if you do not provide necessary Personally Identifiable Information, we may be unable to offer you certain services on our Platform.
THIRD-PARTY LINKS
Our Platform may include links to external sites, which are not controlled by Zápal. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites, and we advise you to review their privacy policies. Accessing any third-party links from our Platform is done at your own risk, and we are not responsible for changes to or updates in the information on these sites.
RETENTION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
We keep your Personally Identifiable Information as long as necessary for providing you the Services and as per the data protection laws, rules or regulations applicable to you. The length of time we retain Personally Identifiable Information depends on the purposes for which we collect and use it and/or as required to comply with applicable laws and to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights.
8. DATA STORAGE, TRANSFER & PROCESSING GLOBALLY
Zápal stores your information on servers in India and may also use international service providers to store data on servers in other countries. By using our services, you consent to the storage, transfer, and processing of your data in India and potentially other international locations. Be aware that data protection laws in these countries may not be as comprehensive as those in your own country. We commit to taking reasonable steps to protect your Personally Identifiable Information wherever it is processed. For EU residents, Zápal ensures that data transferred outside the EU is handled in line with applicable data protection laws. If you need more information or have concerns, please contact our Grievance Officer.
9. CHILDREN’S AND MINORS’ PRIVACY
Zápal advises parents and guardians to monitor their minor children's online activities and to consider using parental control tools to create a safer online environment. These tools can help prevent minors from sharing their personal information online without parental consent. While Zápal's platform is not designed for minors, we respect their privacy and will delete any information belonging to minors upon notification.
10. COOKIES AND WEB BEACONS
Cookies are small files saved by your browser to your device's hard drive, used by Zápal to enhance your experience on our platform by tracking various aspects of your visit and providing seamless service. Web beacons are tiny graphics linked to our servers that track your use of our platform and its features. Together, cookies and web beacons improve our services, personalize your experience, and do not retain your Personally Identifiable Information. Occasionally, we may use other methods to collect data.
Third-party companies, including advertising networks like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Quora, and Bing, might also place cookies on our website. These cookies help track your online activity across different sites to display relevant ads based on the content you view and your device or IP address identifier. They help in ad frequency capping, customizing ads to your interests, and measuring ad effectiveness.
You can manage cookie settings through your browser, typically found in the “Help” section, where you can learn how to reject cookies. However, disabling cookies might affect the functionality and convenience of our platform.
11. RIGHTS OF USERS
You may access your rights under the purview of applicable Data Protection Laws by writing an email to us. The primary rights of the Users with respect to data protection are:
1. Right to Access: Users have the right to verify whether Zápal processes their personal data and can access the personal information they have shared with Zápal, as well as receive details about the purpose of processing upon request.
2. Right to Rectification: Users have the right to correct any inaccurate personal information and complete any incomplete information held by Zápal.
3. Right to Erasure: Users can request the deletion of their personal information at any time by contacting Zápal.
4. Right to Restrict Processing: Users can limit how Zápal processes their personal information, whether in general or for specific purposes, as outlined in this policy. However, Zápal retains the right to process personal information as required by law or to defend against legal claims.
5. Right to Object to Processing: Users can object to the processing of their personal data by Zápal for one or more specific purposes. Such objections will be formally recorded and addressed within reasonable time limits.
6. Right to Withdraw Consent: Users can withdraw their consent allowing Zápal to process their personal information at any time, ceasing further processing.
7. Access to Information: Upon request, users can confirm whether personal information concerning them is being processed, access their personal data, receive a copy of the data, and understand how it is processed.
12. SECURITY STATEMENT
Zápal implements various physical, electronic, and managerial safeguards to protect the information we collect. We use strong encryption for storing certain data and maintain rigorous managerial protocols, including regular password updates. The data we collect is stored at third-party data centers, which have comprehensive security systems with multiple levels of protection. However, Zápal is not liable for any data misuse or loss by these third-party centers. Additionally, we leverage the robust security features of your mobile devices to prevent unauthorized information leaks, except when necessary for authentication purposes.
Please be aware, despite our best efforts, no security measures are completely infallible, and we cannot guarantee 100% security.
13. ADDRESS FOR PRIVACY QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about this policy or how Zápal collects, uses, and discloses your information, please contact us. We are committed to responding promptly to your inquiries or concerns about our privacy practices. However, please note that Zápal may not provide responses to questions or comments that are not related to this policy or our privacy practices, unless required by law.
14. CHANGING OUR PRIVACY POLICY
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically and the latest version will be posted on our Platform for your reference. Changes take effect immediately upon posting. By using the Platform, you agree to accept any modifications to the policy. We recommend reviewing this page regularly to stay informed about the most current version of our Privacy Policy.
15. GOVERNING LAW
This Privacy Policy is an integral part of our Terms of Use and is governed by the laws of India.
16. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
The miscellaneous provisions outlined in our Terms of Use also apply to this Privacy Policy.
