Privacy Policy

1. Interpretation and Scope

• This Policy applies to all users, whether they are individuals, freelancers, agencies, founders, or enterprises.
• It covers data collected directly from you, data collected automatically when you interact with the Service, and data obtained from third-party platforms if you choose to integrate them.
• This Policy should be read together with our Terms of Service.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of this Policy:

• Account – A unique profile created for you to access and use GrowUp Buddy features.
• Affiliate – Any entity under common ownership or control with ThriveMates Private Limited.
• Company / We / Us – ThriveMates Private Limited, which owns and operates GrowUp Buddy.
• Cookies – Small text files placed on your Device to track activity, preferences, and login sessions.
• Country – India (the jurisdiction of incorporation).
• Device – Any hardware capable of accessing the Service (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop).
• Personal Data – Any data that can identify an individual, such as name, email, phone number, or account details.
• Service – The GrowUp Buddy platform, including website, mobile app, messaging, communities, and events.
• Service Provider – Any third-party company or individual engaged by us to support the Service (hosting, analytics, payment, communications, etc.).
• Third-Party Social Media Service – A social media or login provider through which a user may create or log in to their GrowUp Buddy account (e.g., Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter).
• Usage Data – Technical or behavioral data collected automatically while you interact with the Service.
• User / You – The person, company, or entity using GrowUp Buddy.

3. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide, improve, and secure our Service. The data collected may include:

4. Tracking Technologies and Cookies

We use cookies, beacons, tags, and scripts to track usage and improve functionality. These may include:

• Essential Cookies – Required for login, authentication, fraud prevention.
• Preference Cookies – Store your chosen settings (language, theme, club filters).
• Analytics Cookies – Monitor how users interact with the Service to improve UX.
• Advertising Cookies – (if introduced later) help deliver relevant promotions.
• Flash Cookies & Web Beacons – May be used to store preferences or measure engagement in emails/events.

5. Data We Do Not Intentionally Collect

• Children under 13: GrowUp Buddy is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect data from users under 13. If we discover such data, we will delete it immediately.
• Sensitive Data: We do not request sensitive categories such as racial/ethnic origin, religious beliefs, political opinions, health data, or sexual orientation, unless required for specific services and provided with explicit consent.

6. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

7. Retention of Your Personal Data

• We retain Personal Data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy.
• Factors that determine retention include:
  • The duration of your active account.
  • Legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., tax, financial recordkeeping).
  • Dispute resolution and enforcement of agreements.
• Usage Data (logs, analytics) may be retained for a shorter period, unless needed for security or improvement of the Service.
• Once data is no longer required, we either delete it securely or anonymize it for research/analytics.

8. Transfer of Your Personal Data

• Your data may be processed at the Company's operating offices and at any location where Service Providers are based.
• This means your information may be transferred and stored outside your state, province, or country, where data protection laws may differ from those of your jurisdiction.
• We take all necessary steps to ensure transfers are secure and in compliance with applicable laws.
• By using the Service, you consent to such transfers, provided adequate safeguards (encryption, contractual obligations, access controls) are in place.

9. Disclosure of Your Personal Data

We may disclose your information in the following circumstances:

10. Security of Your Personal Data

• We use industry-standard safeguards (encryption, secure servers, firewalls) to protect data.
• Access to Personal Data is restricted to authorized employees, contractors, and Service Providers bound by confidentiality obligations.
• While we strive to use commercially acceptable means, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Children's Privacy

• Our Services are not intended for children below the age of 13 years (or such higher age as may be applicable in your jurisdiction under relevant data protection laws). We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under this age.
• If you are under 13, you must not use our Services, submit personal information, or engage in any activities that involve the disclosure of personal data.
• Parents or guardians who become aware that their child has provided us with personal data should immediately contact us at support@growupbuddy.com. We will take steps to delete such information without undue delay.
• In certain jurisdictions, parental consent is required for processing personal data of minors between ages 13–18. Where applicable, we may seek additional verification steps before enabling accounts for such users.

12. Links to Other Websites and Third-Party Services

• The Service may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or resources that are not owned or controlled by GrowUp Buddy. These include, but are not limited to, event partners, payment processors, advertising networks, and community collaborators.
• Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such third-party websites or services. When you click on a third-party link, you will be subject to their privacy policy and terms of use.
• We strongly recommend that you read the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services you visit.
• The inclusion of third-party links on our platform does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or guarantee of safety. You acknowledge and agree that we shall not be held liable for any damages or losses arising from your use of or reliance on third-party websites, applications, or resources.

13. Your Rights and Controls

Subject to applicable laws (including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Information Technology Act, 2000 with SPDI Rules in India), you may have the following rights:

1. Right to Access – Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
2. Right to Rectification – Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
3. Right to Erasure – Request deletion of your data where it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, subject to legal or contractual obligations.
4. Right to Restrict Processing – Request restriction on the way your data is processed.
5. Right to Data Portability – Request transfer of your personal data to another service provider in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
6. Right to Object – Object to processing of your personal data for marketing, profiling, or other purposes.
7. Withdrawal of Consent – Withdraw consent previously given at any time. Such withdrawal will not affect processing carried out before withdrawal.
8. CCPA Rights (for California residents):
   • Right to know categories of personal data collected and disclosed.
   • Right to opt-out of the sale of personal data (we do not sell personal data).
   • Right to equal service regardless of exercising privacy rights.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

• We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors.
• Any material changes will be notified to you through:
  • An update on this page,
  • An in-app notification, or
  • An email sent to your registered email address.
• The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this Policy was last revised.
• Continued use of the Service after updates to this Privacy Policy constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

15. Child Safety and Reporting

If a user submits a safety-related report, including reports involving suspected child exploitation, abuse, grooming, or other harmful conduct, GrowUp Buddy may collect, review, and retain relevant information from the report and related account activity for investigation, enforcement, legal compliance, and platform safety purposes.

This information may include account details, profile information, messages, uploaded content, reports submitted by users, and related moderation records, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

GrowUp Buddy may use this information to:

1. Review reported content or behavior;
2. Investigate potential violations of our Terms and Child Safety Standards;
3. Remove harmful content;
4. Suspend or terminate accounts;
5. Comply with legal obligations; and
6. Cooperate with law enforcement or child protection authorities where required by law or necessary to protect users.

16. Grievance Redressal and Complaints

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the rules made there under, we have designated a Grievance Officer to address user complaints regarding information handling, breaches of security, or other concerns.

17. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the way we handle your data, please contact us using the following channels:

We take user trust seriously and are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and transparently.