1. Introduction
Pitch Panchayat ("Pitch Panchayat", "Organizer", "we", "us" or "our") respects the privacy of individuals who visit our website, register for our events or otherwise interact with our services.
This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we may collect, the purposes for which we use that information, how it may be shared and the choices available to individuals regarding their information.
By using our website or registering for Pitch Panchayat, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us as well as certain information generated automatically when you use our website.
2.1 Information Provided During Registration
| Information | Possible Purpose |
|---|---|
| Full name | Participant identification and Event administration |
| Email address | Account creation, verification and Event communications |
| Phone number | Verification and important Event communications |
| Team name | Team identification and Event administration |
| Team member details | Team registration and eligibility verification |
| Educational information | Eligibility and Event administration |
| Startup or idea information | Evaluation, judging and Event administration |
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
Depending on the technologies used on our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device type
- Operating system
- Approximate usage information
- Pages or features accessed
The exact information collected depends on the services and technologies enabled on the website.
3. How We Use Your Information
We may use collected information for legitimate Event and website-related purposes, including:
- Creating and managing participant accounts.
- Processing Event registrations.
- Verifying email addresses and phone numbers.
- Communicating Event announcements and updates.
- Managing teams and participant eligibility.
- Reviewing and evaluating submissions.
- Organising judging and mentorship activities.
- Contacting selected participants or winners.
- Providing Event-related support.
- Maintaining website security.
- Preventing fraud, abuse and unauthorized access.
- Improving our website and Event experience.
- Complying with applicable legal obligations.
4. Email and Phone Verification
We may use verification mechanisms to confirm ownership or validity of an email address or phone number supplied during registration.
Verification information may be processed through third-party authentication or communication providers used by the Organizer.
Security: Verification credentials such as passwords should never be shared with other individuals.
5. Accounts and Authentication
If the website allows users to create accounts, account-related information may be stored and processed to authenticate users and provide registration services.
Passwords should be protected using appropriate security practices. The Organizer will not ask participants to disclose their account password through unofficial communications.
6. Information About Other Team Members
If you register a team and provide information belonging to other participants, you confirm that you have provided that information for a legitimate Event-related purpose and, where required, have obtained the appropriate permission or consent.
Team members may include individuals who are minors. Where applicable, additional consent or authorization may be required.
7. Children and Minor Participants
Pitch Panchayat may permit participation by school and college students, including individuals who have not reached the applicable age of majority.
Where required by applicable law or Event policy, the Organizer may request consent or authorization from a parent or legal guardian.
Parents or legal guardians may contact the Organizer regarding information provided by or about a minor participant.
Important: The Organizer should establish an appropriate consent process for minors before accepting registrations from them.
8. When We May Share Information
We do not intend to sell participant personal information as a commercial product.
Information may be shared where reasonably necessary for Event administration, including with:
- Authorized members of the Pitch Panchayat organizing team.
- Judges and evaluators where necessary for Event judging.
- Mentors or Event staff where necessary for Event activities.
- Technical service providers who help operate the website or Event systems.
- Communication or authentication providers.
- Professional advisers where reasonably required.
- Government authorities or law-enforcement bodies where legally required.
Third-party service providers should only receive information reasonably necessary for the services they provide.
9. Third-Party Technology and Firebase
Pitch Panchayat may use third-party technology services for functions such as authentication, database storage, hosting and other website functionality.
For example, Firebase services may be used to provide authentication, database or hosting functionality.
Information processed by such services may be subject to the applicable privacy policies and security practices of those service providers.
The Organizer will configure and use such services in a manner reasonably appropriate for the Event's requirements.
10. Data Security
We take reasonable measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction.
These measures may include:
- Access controls.
- Authentication mechanisms.
- Restricted administrative access.
- Secure transmission where supported.
- Appropriate database security rules.
- Monitoring for unauthorized access where reasonably available.
However, no internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
11. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including Event administration, record keeping, dispute resolution, security and compliance with applicable legal obligations.
Retention periods may differ depending on the type of information and the purpose for which it was collected.
When information is no longer reasonably required, we may delete, anonymize or otherwise dispose of it subject to applicable legal and operational requirements.
12. Your Privacy Choices and Rights
Subject to applicable law, individuals may contact us regarding their personal information and may request appropriate action, such as:
- Access to personal information held about them.
- Correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion of information where legally and operationally appropriate.
- Information regarding how their information is being used.
- Withdrawal of consent where processing is based on consent, subject to applicable limitations.
Requests may be subject to identity verification and applicable legal requirements.
13. Marketing and Promotional Communications
We may send Event-related communications that are necessary for registration and participation.
Where we send optional promotional communications, participants may be provided with an opportunity to opt out where required by applicable law.
Opting out of optional promotional communication does not necessarily stop essential Event-related messages.
14. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies where required for functionality, authentication, security, analytics or other legitimate purposes.
The use of cookies may depend on the technologies enabled on the website at any particular time.
Where applicable, users may control certain cookie settings through their browser or through mechanisms provided on the website.
15. Analytics
We may use analytics technologies to understand website usage, identify technical issues and improve the Event website.
If analytics services are enabled, they may collect technical or usage information according to their respective policies.
16. Submitted Startup Information
Participants may submit startup ideas, descriptions, pitch decks, presentations, prototypes or other materials.
Personal information contained within such materials may be processed for Event administration and evaluation.
Participants should avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information in pitch materials.
Confidentiality reminder: Participants should consider whether a business idea or document contains confidential information before submitting it.
17. Photography, Video and Event Media
Pitch Panchayat events may be photographed, recorded or otherwise documented.
Event media may be used for legitimate purposes such as documenting the Event, reporting on the Event, maintaining Event records and promoting future editions.
Where consent is required, particularly for minors, the Organizer will seek appropriate consent before making relevant promotional use of identifiable images or recordings.
18. Data Processing and Transfers
Depending on the third-party services used to operate the website, personal information may be processed or stored in locations outside the participant's immediate location.
Where applicable, such processing will be subject to the requirements of relevant law and the applicable terms of the service providers involved.
19. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, platforms or services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites.
Users should review the privacy policies of those third parties before providing personal information.
20. Security Incidents
If we become aware of a security incident involving personal information, we will take reasonable steps to investigate, contain and address the incident.
Where notification is required by applicable law, we will provide the required notifications through appropriate channels.
21. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the Event, website, technologies, legal requirements or our privacy practices.
The latest version published on the official website will contain the applicable Privacy Policy.
The effective date displayed at the beginning of this policy indicates when the current version became effective.
22. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact the Pitch Panchayat organizing team.
Email: support@pitchpanchayat.in
Location: Hubballi, Karnataka, India
Website: pitchpanchayat.in
23. Acknowledgement
By using the Pitch Panchayat website or submitting a registration, you acknowledge that you have had an opportunity to review this Privacy Policy.
Where separate consent is required for a particular use of personal information, the Organizer will seek that consent through the applicable process.