1. Introduction

CampusDegree (“the Platform’, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to upholding the highest standards of data privacy and protection. This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect the personal and non-personal information of individuals (“you,” “your,” or “users”) who access or interact with our platform, including but not limited to our website, contact forms, and digital services.

By accessing or using CampusDegree, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Policy, you should immediately discontinue use of the Platform.

This Policy is designed to ensure transparency in our data processing activities and to inform you about:

• •What types of data we collect (both directly and automatically)
• •The purpose and lawful basis for data collection
• •How and with whom your data may be shared
• •The steps we take to ensure data integrity and security
• •Your rights under applicable data protection laws

CampusDegree operates in alignment with the provisions of Indian data protection laws and other applicable privacy frameworks, with a commitment to user trust, consent, and transparency.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to inform users of CampusDegree about how their personal and non-personal information is collected, used, managed, stored, and safeguarded in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

This document serves to:

• •Ensure transparency regarding our data processing practices
• •Establish the legal basis for processing user information
• •Clarify the nature and scope of data collection across various user interactions
• •Outline the user’s rights and mechanisms for exercising control over personal data
• •Demonstrate our commitment to ethical data usage in the context of educational discovery and counselling services

This Policy forms an integral part of our terms of service and reflects our responsibility to protect user information while delivering personalised and informed guidance through our platform.

3. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all users who access, browse, register, interact with, or otherwise make use of the CampusDegree platform, including its website, subdomains, mobile site, and any affiliated tools or communication channels.

It governs:

• •All data collected through web forms, inquiry submissions, chat interactions, and account registrations
• •Information received through third-party services integrated with CampusDegree (e.g., analytics, cookies, or marketing tools)
• •Interactions related to course discovery, counseling services, newsletters, or advisory communications
• •Processing of data in both electronic and manual formats, as performed by CampusDegree or its authorised service providers

This Policy does not extend to third-party websites linked from the platform. Users are encouraged to review the privacy practices of those external sites separately.

4. What Information We Collect

CampusDegree collects both personally identifiable information (PII) and non-personal data to provide a customised and efficient user experience. The categories of data collected may include:

4.1 Personal Information

Collected when you fill out forms, subscribe to services, communicate via chat, or register an account:

• •Full name
• •Email address
• •Mobile number
• •Country and state of residence
• •Academic background and program preferences
• •Communication preferences (email, SMS, WhatsApp, etc.)
• •Any additional information voluntarily submitted during interactions

4.2 Automatically Collected Information

Collected through cookies, web analytics tools (such as Google Analytics), and server logs when you use our Platform:

• •IP address
• •Browser type and version
• •Device type, operating system, and network provider
• •Pages visited, session duration, navigation patterns
• •Referral source (e.g., search engines, social media platforms)

4.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We employ cookies, beacons, scripts, and tags to:

• •Recognise repeat visitors
• •Analyse website performance and usage trends
• •Personalise recommendations and display relevant content
• •Improve our user interface and technical infrastructure

You may manage cookie preferences via browser settings; however, disabling cookies may impact functionality.

5. Information Collected from Forms

When you voluntarily submit your information through interactive elements on our Platform—such as inquiry forms, newsletter sign-ups, registration pages, or chat support—we collect and store the data provided to respond to your request or provide tailored services. This information may include:

• •Name, email address, and phone number
• •Educational qualifications and academic interests
• •Course preferences, work experience (if applicable), and location details

By submitting any form, you expressly consent to be contacted via phone call, SMS, WhatsApp, or email by CampusDegree or its authorised academic partners, even if your number is listed under Do Not Disturb (DND) registries. Communication may relate to counseling, program updates, or promotional offers relevant to your interests.

You may withdraw consent or manage communication preferences by adjusting your settings or contacting our support team.

6. How We Use Your Information

CampusDegree processes the personal and non-personal data collected through its Platform for legitimate, specified, and lawful purposes. Your information may be used in the following ways:

• •Counselling & Advisory Support: To recommend suitable universities, online programs, and course options based on your interests and academic background.
• •Communication: To respond to inquiries, send requested information, notify you about updates or changes, and deliver newsletters or marketing content, where consent is provided.
• •Personalisation: To enhance your browsing experience by customising content, recommendations, and the interface based on your behaviour and preferences.
• •Website Improvement: To assess and optimise website usability, layout, and technical functionality through usage statistics, analytics, and feedback.
• •Legal Compliance: To fulfill obligations arising under applicable laws, regulations, or court orders, including those concerning data protection, fraud prevention, or user rights.
• •Security & Monitoring: To detect, prevent, and address security threats, fraudulent activities, or technical issues that may arise during platform usage.
• •Internal Research: To perform statistical and qualitative research aimed at improving our services, user experience, and program offerings.

CampusDegree ensures that your data is only used for these purposes and is never sold to third parties. Your consent, where applicable, shall be obtained prior to use beyond the original collection intent.

7. Information Sharing and Disclosure

CampusDegree respects your privacy and ensures that your personal data is not sold, traded, or leased to any third party. However, in limited and clearly defined scenarios, we may share your information under the following circumstances:

• •With Trusted Service Providers: We may engage third-party vendors for services such as web hosting, analytics, customer support, or communication tools. These providers are contractually bound to use your data only as instructed and are obligated to maintain its confidentiality.
• •With Educational Institutions: When you express interest in a particular course, university, or counseling service—by submitting a form or inquiry—we may share relevant information (such as your name, contact details, and academic preferences) with partnered universities or their representatives for the purpose of guiding or facilitating your application process.
• •Legal and Regulatory Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, legal process, governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of CampusDegree, its users, or the public.
• •Corporate Transactions: In the event of a merger, acquisition, asset transfer, or other business restructuring, user information may be transferred as part of the business assets. We will ensure continuity of data protection during such transitions.
• •With Your Explicit Consent: In cases where disclosure does not fall under the categories above, we will seek your express consent before sharing any personal data.

CampusDegree limits disclosures strictly to what is necessary, and all data sharing is governed by data protection agreements and industry best practices.

8. Data Security

We implement a combination of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the protection and confidentiality of your personal data. These measures are designed to prevent unauthorised access, misuse, alteration, or destruction of information under our control.

Our security practices include, but are not limited to:

• •Encryption of sensitive data during transmission using secure protocols (e.g., HTTPS, SSL/TLS)
• •Firewall and intrusion detection systems to monitor and protect our network infrastructure
• •Restricted access to personal data, limited only to authorised personnel on a need-to-know basis
• •Regular audits and vulnerability assessments to detect and rectify potential threats
• •Two-factor authentication (where applicable) for enhanced account security
• •Periodic staff training on data privacy and information security best practices

Despite our best efforts, no method of electronic storage or transmission over the internet is entirely secure. Therefore, while we strive to protect your data with commercially acceptable means, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

We urge users to also play an active role in protecting their personal data by using strong passwords, logging out after sessions, and refraining from sharing credentials.

9. Your Rights and Choices

As a user of CampusDegree, you are entitled to exercise certain rights concerning your personal information. These rights, subject to applicable laws, are designed to give you control over your data and how it is used:

• •Right to Access: You may request details of the personal data we hold about you and obtain a copy of such data in a commonly used format.
• •Right to Rectification: If any of your personal information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request correction or update without undue delay.
• •Right to Erasure: You may request deletion of your personal data in certain circumstances, such as when the data is no longer necessary or you withdraw consent.
• •Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw your consent at any time for data processing activities that are based on your consent (e.g., promotional emails or marketing communication).
• •Right to Object and Restrict: You can object to or request restrictions on the processing of your data, especially where we rely on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
• •Right to Disable Cookies: You may choose to disable cookies via your browser settings; however, this may affect the functionality of some features on our Platform.

To exercise these rights, please email us at: privacy@campusdegree.org. We may require identity verification before processing any such requests.

10. Retention of Information

CampusDegree retains your personal data strictly on a need-to-know and lawful basis, and only for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or to comply with legal obligations.

• •Operational and service-related data (such as inquiry submissions or counselling records) will be retained for the duration necessary to complete the related process or provide support.
• •Analytical and usage data, including cookies, session logs, and aggregated statistics, may be retained for up to 24 months to inform platform performance improvements, unless you request an earlier deletion.
• •Legal compliance data, such as transaction logs or communication records, will be retained for the duration required by applicable laws, regulations, or any legally binding regulatory authority.
• •Upon valid user request for data deletion, we will either permanently delete the information or anonymise it so that personal identification is no longer feasible—unless retention is required for compliance, claim defence, or contractual purposes.

CampusDegree reserves the right to retain minimal archival or backup copies of data for internal audit, record-keeping, or risk management purposes, in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

11. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may include hyperlinks to third-party websites, services, or applications that are not owned, operated, or controlled by CampusDegree. These links are provided solely for your convenience and informational purposes.

• •We do not endorse or make representations about the accuracy, completeness, or legitimacy of content found on external sites.
• •When you access third-party links, you do so at your own discretion and risk. These websites are governed by their own independent privacy policies and terms of use.
• •We encourage users to review the privacy policies of such third-party platforms before submitting any personal data, as CampusDegree is not responsible or liable for any misuse, data collection practices, or consequences arising from the use of these external sites.

CampusDegree disclaims all responsibility for any loss, damage, or harm caused by or connected with the use of such third-party content, links, or platforms.

12. Duties of the Data Principal

As a Data Principal (user or data subject), you are expected to exercise your rights responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. You agree to the following duties when interacting with CampusDegree:

• •You shall not impersonate another individual while submitting personal data on the Platform for any purpose.
• •You must not conceal or suppress any material information while providing personal data for identification, documentation, or academic advisory services.
• •You must refrain from submitting false, misleading, or frivolous grievances or complaints to CampusDegree or the Data Protection Board of India.
• •When exercising your rights to correct or erase personal data, you must ensure that the information provided is verifiably authentic and accurate.
• •You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws of India while exercising your rights and obligations under this Privacy Policy and the DPDP Act.

CampusDegree disclaims all responsibility for any loss, damage, or harm caused by or connected with the use of such third-party content, links, or platforms.

13. Privacy Grievances

If you have any concerns regarding how your personal data is being used, or if you wish to exercise your rights under this Privacy Policy or applicable data protection laws, you may reach out to our designated grievance officer:

Grievance Officer

Email: privacy@campusdegree.org

Subject Line: Privacy Concern / Data Request

• •We are committed to acknowledging and responding to complaints in a timely and effective manner, typically within 15 working days.
• •If you are a resident of India and are not satisfied with the response or resolution offered by CampusDegree, you may approach the Data Protection Board of India as per the provisions under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

We respond within 15 working days. You may also contact the Data Protection Board of India.

14. Changes to This Policy

CampusDegree reserves the right to revise, amend, or update this Privacy Policy at its sole discretion, in response to legal, regulatory, or operational requirements.

• •All changes will be posted on this page with a clearly stated “Last Updated” or “Effective Date”.
• •In cases of significant policy changes, we may provide additional notice via email or platform notification banners.
• •Continued access or use of the Platform after such modifications shall constitute your acknowledgment and acceptance of the updated Policy.

We encourage all users to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.