Welcome to Gita Drishti, a digital platform dedicated to sharing the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use our website at Gita Drishti (the "Service"). We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring transparency in our data practices.
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of Gita Drishti's Service, including visitors who browse the website and engage with features such as the Verse of the Day, Random Shloka, Favorites, and Archive. By using our Service, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using the Service.
2. Information We Collect
Based on the operations of Gita Drishti, we collect the following information:
Information You Provide Directly:
Favorites Data:
When you save a shloka (verse) to your Favorites, the selected shlokas are stored locally on your device using localStorage. No personally identifiable information is collected in connection with this feature.
Automatically Collected Information:
Usage Data:
We may collect anonymized usage data through Google Analytics (if enabled, as indicated by the NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_ID environment variable). This may include information such as your browser type, operating system, device type, pages visited, and interaction patterns (e.g., clicks on shlokas or navigation to the Archive).
IP Addresses and Device Information:
Our server actions (e.g., getShlokaForDate or getRandomShloka) may temporarily log IP addresses or device identifiers for operational purposes, such as ensuring the Service functions correctly. This data is not stored or linked to individual users.
No Personal Information Required:
Gita Drishti does not require user accounts, sign-ups, or the submission of personal information such as names, email addresses, or payment details to access core features.
3. How We Use Information
We use the collected information solely to operate and improve the Service:
Favorites Data:
- Stored locally on your device to enable you to save and retrieve your favorite shlokas.
- Not transmitted to our servers or shared with any third parties.
Usage Data (Google Analytics, if enabled):
- To analyze how users interact with the Service, such as which features (e.g., Verse of the Day, Archive) are most popular.
- To improve the user experience, optimize content delivery, and enhance performance.
- All data is anonymized and aggregated, ensuring no individual user is identifiable.
Operational Data (e.g., IP Addresses):
- Used temporarily to facilitate server actions, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure the Service's availability.
- Not used for profiling, marketing, or any purpose beyond technical operations.
4. Information Sharing
Gita Drishti does not share, sell, or disclose your information to third parties, except as described below:
Third-Party Services:
- Google Analytics (if enabled): Anonymized usage data may be shared with Google Analytics to analyze Service performance. Google Analytics operates under its own privacy policy.
- Future Ad Providers: The Service includes placeholders for ads (AdBanner). If real ad code is implemented, third-party ad providers may collect anonymized data (e.g., device type or browsing behavior) to serve relevant ads. Such providers will be disclosed in an updated Privacy Policy, and users will be informed of any data collection practices.
Legal Obligations:
- We may disclose information if required by law, such as to comply with a court order, subpoena, or government request.
- We may share information to protect the safety, rights, or property of Gita Drishti, our users, or the public.
5. Data Security
We are committed to protecting the limited data we handle:
- LocalStorage: Favorites data is stored securely on your device and is not accessible to Gita Drishti's servers or third parties.
- Server Security: Our Next.js application uses industry-standard security practices, such as HTTPS encryption, to protect data in transit during server actions (e.g., fetching shlokas from shlokas.json).
- Temporary Logs: Any operational data (e.g., IP addresses) is processed securely and not retained beyond what is necessary for technical purposes.
- No Personal Data Storage: Since we do not collect personal information, there is no risk of personal data breaches from our servers.
While we take reasonable measures to secure our Service, no system is completely immune to risks. Users are responsible for safeguarding access to their devices where Favorites data is stored.
6. Data Storage and Retention
Favorites Data:
- Stored indefinitely in your device's localStorage until you manually clear your browser data or delete the saved shlokas.
- Not stored on our servers or backed up remotely.
Usage Data (Google Analytics, if enabled):
- Retained according to Google Analytics' data retention policies, which we configure to comply with applicable regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
- Typically anonymized and aggregated, with no individual user identification.
Operational Data:
- Temporary logs (e.g., IP addresses for server actions) are not retained beyond the immediate technical need, typically deleted within hours or days.
7. Your Privacy Rights
As Gita Drishti collects minimal data, your privacy rights primarily relate to usage data and Favorites:
Access and Deletion:
- Favorites: You can access your saved shlokas in the Favorites section of the Service. To delete them, clear your browser's localStorage or use the Service's interface to remove individual shlokas.
- Usage Data: Since Google Analytics data (if enabled) is anonymized, we cannot link it to individual users. However, you can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using browser extensions like Google Analytics Opt-Out.
GDPR Rights (European Users):
If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to access, rectify, or erase your data. As we collect no personal data, these rights are limited to anonymized usage data. Contact us (see Section 9) to exercise these rights.
CCPA Rights (California Residents):
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion, and opt out of data sales. Gita Drishti does not collect personal information or sell data, so most CCPA rights do not apply. You may opt out of analytics tracking as described above.
Cookies and Tracking:
- Gita Drishti does not currently use cookies. If Google Analytics is enabled, it may use cookies for tracking, which you can manage through your browser settings or opt-out tools.
- Future ad implementations may involve cookies, which will be disclosed in an updated policy with options to manage preferences.
8. International Data Transfers
Gita Drishti is hosted on servers that may be located outside your country. However, since we do not collect personal information or store user data on our servers:
- No personal data is transferred internationally.
- Anonymized usage data processed by Google Analytics (if enabled) may be handled on Google's global servers, subject to Google's data transfer safeguards.
- Future ad providers or AI features (e.g., text-to-speech via Google AI) may involve international data processing, which will comply with GDPR and other applicable regulations.
9. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date. For significant changes (e.g., introduction of ads or new data collection), we will notify users via a prominent notice on the Service. Please review this policy periodically to stay informed.
10. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Gita Drishti
We will respond to your inquiries promptly and work to address any privacy concerns.
11. Additional Notes
- No Accounts Required: Gita Drishti operates without user accounts, minimizing data collection and simplifying your privacy experience.
- Future Features: Planned features like text-to-speech may involve additional data processing (e.g., temporary audio generation). These will be disclosed in future policy updates.
- Children's Privacy: Gita Drishti is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children, and our Service complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Thank you for trusting Gita Drishti with your spiritual journey. We are committed to maintaining your privacy while delivering the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.