Privacy Policy - लोक सेतु

1. Introduction

Lok Setu is a public service initiative aimed at bridging the gap between government schemes, administrative mechanisms, and welfare systems for the common citizen. We value the trust you place in us when sharing your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you interact with our services, including our website, contact forms, awareness programs, camps, campaigns, and training sessions.

By using Lok Setu services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. We are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

2. Information We Collect

To provide our services effectively, we may collect the following types of information:

Personal Identification Information: Name, age, contact number, and other details you provide when using our contact form, applying for assistance, or participating in our programs.
Service-Related Information: Details about government schemes you inquire about, complaints you register, applications you need help with, or guidance you seek on social and development issues.
Technical Information: Browser type, device information, IP address, and website usage data collected through cookies and similar technologies to improve our website functionality.
Voice Data: If you use the voice input feature (microphone button) on our contact form, we may process audio data to facilitate your request.
Training & Camp Participation Data: Information collected during free document assistance camps, digital literacy campaigns, or Lok Mitra training programs.

We only collect information that is necessary to provide our services, assist you with government schemes, process complaints, and guide you through application procedures.

3. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used for the following purposes:

To deliver information about government schemes to your doorstep as part of our core mission.
To forward complaints from the general public to the relevant officers/departments for resolution.
To provide application, documentation, and procedural assistance for various government services.
To guide people on social and development-related issues and organize awareness programs, camps, campaigns, and training.
To improve our services, website functionality, and user experience.
To communicate with you regarding your inquiries, complaints, or participation in our programs.
To comply with legal obligations and protect the rights and safety of our users and the public.

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Government Authorities: To facilitate complaint resolution and application processing, we may forward your information to relevant government departments and officers as necessary to address your concerns.
Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting training programs, or providing technical support, under strict confidentiality agreements.
Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Lok Setu, our users, or the public.
With Your Consent: We may share information for specific purposes with your explicit consent.

We take appropriate measures to ensure that any sharing of your information is done securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

5. Data Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. We have implemented appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online and offline to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee its absolute security, but we continuously review and enhance our security practices.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on applicable laws, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, which may include:

The right to access the personal information we hold about you.
The right to correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
The right to request deletion of your personal information when it's no longer necessary for our purposes.
The right to withdraw consent for processing, where processing is based on consent.
The right to object to certain processing activities.
The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze website traffic, and understand user preferences. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us improve our services.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings. However, declining cookies may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website's features.

8. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to government portals, scheme information pages, or other relevant resources. Once you leave our site via these links, we do not have control over that external website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information you provide while visiting such sites, which are not governed by this Privacy Policy.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.