You Empower Society
A People-Centered Non-Profit for Inclusive Growth & Empowerment
Introduction
You Empower Society (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a registered nonprofit organization committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of our donors, beneficiaries, volunteers, supporters, and website visitors. We understand that privacy is a fundamental right, and we take our data protection responsibilities seriously. This Privacy Policy outlines the types of data we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the rights you have under applicable data protection laws.
Our privacy practices are governed by international and national data protection frameworks, including but not limited to:
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – European Union
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) – United States
The Information Technology Act, 2000, and proposed Personal Data Protection Bill – India
Other relevant jurisdictional laws and ethical data standards
By accessing our digital platforms, participating in our campaigns, or providing your information via any channel, you accept the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
You Empower Society may collect personal, financial, and technical information from individuals who engage with us. Personal information includes but is not limited to your full name, contact details such as email address and phone number, postal address, gender, date of birth, and government-issued identity documents such as PAN, Aadhaar, or passport, especially when required for issuing tax receipts or identity verification.
In cases where individuals donate to the organization, we may collect financial details including bank account numbers, UPI IDs, and credit or debit card information. However, all such sensitive financial data is processed exclusively through secure, third-party payment gateways and is not stored on our servers.
In addition to this, we collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages visited on our website, and duration of sessions. These details are gathered using tools such as cookies, pixels, and analytical software to improve the functionality and responsiveness of our digital platforms.
How We Collect Data
We collect data through direct interactions and automated technologies. Individuals may voluntarily share their data while making a donation, registering as a volunteer, subscribing to our newsletter, or attending events. Data is also gathered through online forms, telephonic conversations, email correspondence, WhatsApp interactions, and third-party platforms affiliated with our campaigns. In some instances, our website and mobile platforms automatically collect data using technologies such as cookies and server logs, especially when users visit, navigate, or perform transactions on our site.
Purpose of Data Collection and Use
We collect data to serve specific organizational and lawful purposes. The primary objective is to process donations, issue 80G tax exemption certificates, and maintain transparent communication with our stakeholders. The data is also used to engage with our volunteers and donors, manage event registrations, and send updates regarding our campaigns, projects, and programs if you have opted to receive such communication.
Furthermore, we process data to comply with legal obligations including audits and tax filings, to monitor and improve our website performance, and to secure our digital environment against threats. At no point do we use your data for unauthorized profiling, unsolicited marketing, or any activity that contradicts your expressed consent or prevailing law.
Legal Basis for Processing
Our data processing practices are supported by various legal bases. In situations where users voluntarily provide their information, we rely on consent as the legal ground. When data is necessary to fulfill an agreement—such as completing a donation or assigning a volunteer role—we act under the basis of contractual necessity. If required to retain and process data for taxation, compliance, or reporting purposes, we do so in accordance with our legal obligations. We may also rely on legitimate interests to improve services, prevent fraud, and manage our internal records, always ensuring that such interests are balanced with your fundamental rights.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, lease, or trade your personal information under any circumstances. However, we may share limited and necessary data with trusted service providers such as payment processors, IT support teams, and cloud storage services, strictly under confidentiality agreements and data protection clauses. When legally required, we may also share information with government authorities, regulators, or auditors. In some cases, if you provide explicit consent, we may share non-sensitive data with partner NGOs or affiliated community networks to better serve a shared cause or beneficiary.
International Data Transfers
If you are located outside of India, please be aware that your information may be transferred to and processed in India or other jurisdictions where our servers and third-party service providers are located. We ensure that any such international data transfer is carried out with appropriate safeguards in place, such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent legal protections in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. Donor and financial data is retained in compliance with statutory requirements, generally for a minimum of seven years, or longer if needed for legal, accounting, or audit purposes. If you request deletion of your data, we will honor your request unless retention is required by law or for legitimate organizational interests, such as fraud prevention or legal defense.
Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, improve functionality, and analyze user behavior. These include essential cookies for site operation, performance cookies for analytics, and functional cookies for remembering user preferences. We do not use advertising or targeting cookies. You may control or disable cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the website.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have specific rights under applicable privacy laws. If you are a resident of the European Union under the GDPR, you have the right to access your data, request correction or deletion, restrict or object to processing, and in some cases, request data portability. You also have the right to withdraw your consent at any time and lodge a complaint with a Data Protection Authority.
Under the CCPA, California residents have the right to know what personal data is collected, request its deletion, and opt out of the sale of personal information (though we do not sell data). You are also entitled to equal service and pricing regardless of your privacy choices.
Under the Indian IT Act and forthcoming data protection frameworks, you have the right to privacy, access, correction, and grievance redressal. We strive to honor these rights promptly and transparently, regardless of your jurisdiction.
Children's Privacy
You Empower Society does not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 18 without verified parental or guardian consent. If we become aware that data from a minor has been collected without appropriate consent, we will take immediate steps to remove the information from our records. Parents or legal guardians may contact us to review, update, or delete their child’s data at any time.
Security Measures
We take your privacy and data security seriously. We have implemented a wide range of technical, administrative, and physical measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, or loss. This includes SSL encryption for all online transactions, secure storage on encrypted servers, access controls for staff, and routine data protection audits. Our payment platforms are PCI-DSS compliant, and we ensure third-party vendors meet industry-standard security certifications. While we strive for best-in-class protection, we acknowledge that no system can be completely foolproof, and we encourage users to exercise caution while submitting personal information online.
Data Breach Notification
In the unfortunate event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals and the relevant data protection authorities in accordance with applicable laws. Under GDPR, for example, this notification must occur within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach. We will provide timely updates, corrective steps, and support to those affected by any such incident.
Contact and Grievance Redressal
For any questions, concerns, or grievances regarding your personal data, you may contact our designated Data Protection & Grievance Officer. All privacy-related concerns will be addressed with the seriousness and urgency they warrant.
Grievance Officer
You Empower Society
Uttar Belgachi, P.O – Belgachi, P.S – Baruipur, Dist – South 24 Parganas, Pin – 743376,
Email: info@youempowersociety.org
Phone: (+91) 98748 73613
Third-Party Links
Our website or social media content may contain links to external websites or third-party services that are not operated by You Empower Society. We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of these third-party websites. We encourage users to read their respective privacy policies before engaging with them.
Policy Updates
We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. When changes are made, the revised version will be posted on our website with the updated effective date. Your continued use of our services and platforms after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of India. Any disputes arising under this policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts located in Kolkata, West Bengal. If you reside outside of India, you may have additional rights under your local laws which we will endeavor to respect wherever applicable.
Consent
By accessing our website, using our services, participating in our campaigns, or voluntarily sharing your information with us through any channel, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you are requested not to engage with our platforms or services.