Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 11/22/2025

This Privacy Policy describes how SwarGanga Music Foundation Incorporated(“SwarGanga,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit https://www.swarganga.org (the “Website”) or use any of our services. We are based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

We are committed to complying with applicable privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA). By using the Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

Name
Email address
Phone number (optional)
Postal address (optional)

In addition, users may link music to external sources (such as YouTube or other online platforms) and may upload photos of artists or related content. This Website functions similarly to a specialized encyclopedia or “Wikipedia-like” resource for Indian classical music.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit or use the Website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

IP address
Device and browser information (type, version, operating system)
Unique device identifiers where available
Pages viewed, links clicked, and your interactions with the Website
Referring/exit pages and timestamps

We also use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to collect information about your use of the Website. This includes data collected via Google Analytics and ad-related cookies used by Google Ads.

1.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

Login and session management
Analytics and performance measurement
Advertising and personalization (including Google Ads)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Some cookies are essential for the Website to function properly.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for purposes including:

Creating and managing user accounts
Providing, operating, and maintaining the Website
Responding to user inquiries and providing customer support
Sending marketing and informational emails (where permitted by law)
Analyzing Website usage and improving our content and services
Running, measuring, and improving advertising and promotions
Ensuring the security and integrity of our systems
Complying with legal obligations and enforcing our terms

We do not use your personal data for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects about you.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

Consent: For example, when you consent to analytics or advertising cookies or agree to receive marketing emails.
Contractual necessity: When processing is necessary to provide services you request, such as account creation.
Legitimate interests: To maintain and improve the Website, ensure security, prevent fraud, and understand how users interact with our services, provided these interests are not overridden by your rights.
Legal obligation: When we are required to process personal data to comply with applicable law.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information for money. However, certain advertising and analytics activities may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” of personal information under CCPA/CPRA. We may share your information in the following ways:

4.1 Service Providers

We use trusted third-party service providers to help us operate the Website, including:

Google Analytics (analytics and usage statistics)
Google Ads (advertising)
PayPal (payment processing)
Twilio (communications, such as SMS, if used)
SendGrid (email delivery and marketing)
Hosting and infrastructure providers located in the USA

These service providers are authorized to use your personal information only as necessary to provide services to us.

4.2 Legal Requirements and Protection

We may disclose information about you if we believe disclosure is reasonably necessary to:

Comply with any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
Protect the rights, property, or safety of SwarGanga, our users, or others
Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements

5. Data Storage and Retention

We store personal data on servers located in the United States. We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, and in practice we currently retain user data indefinitely unless and until a user requests deletion or applicable law requires otherwise.

6. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information, including:

Encryption in transit (HTTPS)
Encryption at rest
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and restricted internal access

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Privacy Rights

7.1 Rights Under GDPR (EU/EEA Users)

If you are located in the EU/EEA, you have the following rights (subject to legal limits):

Right of access to your personal data
Right to rectification (correction) of inaccurate data
Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
Right to restriction of processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to certain processing (including direct marketing)
Right to withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe our processing of your personal data violates applicable law.

7.2 Rights Under CCPA/CPRA (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights (subject to legal limits):

Right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect
Right to request deletion of personal information
Right to correct inaccurate personal information
Right to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
Right to receive information about our data disclosures for the past 12 months
Right to not be discriminated against for exercising these rights

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the information in Section 11. California users may also use our dedicated “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” page.

8. Advertising, Analytics & Cookies

We use Google Analytics and Google Ads, which may set cookies or use other identifiers to collect information about your use of the Website and to provide interest-based advertising.

You can manage or opt out of personalized advertising through tools such as:

Google Ads Settings: https://adssettings.google.com
Network Advertising Initiative opt-out: https://optout.networkadvertising.org

9. Children’s Privacy

The Website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us and we will take steps to delete such information.

10. International Data Transfers

If you access the Website from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. By using the Website, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other jurisdictions where we or our service providers operate.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

SwarGanga Music Foundation Incorporated
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Email: privacy@swarganga.org

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about our information practices.