Last Updated: July 1, 2025

At VIDYA, your privacy isn’t just a box to tick. It’s a commitment. Whether you’re here to find your next course or list your yoga school, we respect your right to control your personal data. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) 2023.

1. Whom this policy applies to

This applies to:

All students and visitors browsing or booking courses on VIDYA
All yoga schools registering or managing a profile
All users interacting with our platform or services

2. What we collect

a) Personal Information

Name, email, contact number
Country and city
Profile photos or bios (if submitted)
Booking details (course chosen, deposit made, etc.)

b) School Information

School name, contact details, teacher bios, certifications
Registration documents (for verification, not public)

c) Device and Usage Data

IP address, browser type, session activity
How you found us (e.g., search, Instagram, referral link)
Cookies and site preferences

3. Why We Collect It (Legal Basis)

Under GDPR (Art. 6) and DPDP 2023, we collect and use your data only when:

You give us explicit consent (e.g., by signing up)

We need it to fulfill a contract (e.g., booking a course)

It serves a legitimate interest (e.g., improving platform UX)

It’s required for legal compliance (e.g., fraud prevention)

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

Help you explore and book yoga courses

Support schools in managing their listings

Send important service-related emails or WhatsApp updates

Process deposits, if applicable

Improve our platform experience and content

Comply with our legal obligations

We never use your data in a way that would surprise or harm you. We don’t profile users. We don’t sell data. Ever.

5. International Data Transfers

VIDYA operates globally. If you are accessing VIDYA from the EU/EEA, your data may be transferred to and stored in India. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, including contractual clauses and restricted access, to protect your information by GDPR Article 46.

6. Who We Share Your Data With

We only share data with the following:

The yoga school you’re booking or contacting

Our service providers (e.g., payment gateways, email tools), under strict data protection agreements

Authorities or law enforcement, if legally required

No third-party marketing companies. No data brokers.

7. Your Rights Under GDPR & DPDP

You have the right to:

Access your data
Correct or update your information
Delete your account and data
Restrict or object to certain uses
Withdraw consent at any time
File a complaint with a supervisory authority (EU residents)

To submit a request, you can email us at namaste@vidyayoga.co. We will respond within 7 working days.

8. Cookies & Tracking

VIDYA uses cookies to:

Save your language and search preferences
Understand how users navigate our site
Improve speed and UX

You can manage or disable/turn off cookies in your browser settings. Refusing cookies may limit some features.

9. How Long We Keep Your Data

We keep your data:

As long as you have an active profile
As long as needed for legal/accounting obligations
Or until you request deletion

We review stored data regularly and securely delete what is no longer needed.

10. How We Keep Your Data Safe

We use:

Encrypted connections (HTTPS)
Secure cloud servers
Strict access controls
Regular audits

In the unlikely event of a data breach, affected users will be notified by applicable law.

11. Updates to This Policy

If our privacy practices change, we’ll update this page. For major changes, we’ll email you or notify you on your dashboard.

12. Contact

Questions? Concerns?

namaste@vidyayoga.co

We’re a small team; real people will get back to you.