Terms of Service

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1 · Master Terms of Service / User Agreement

Effective Date: 30 July 2025 Last Updated: 30 July 2025

These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between Minds Journal Private Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 with its registered office at [Module 18, Floor 14, Bengal Eco Intelligent Park, EM 3, Sector 5, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, India] (“Minds Journal,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), and any person who accesses or uses the Services (“User,” “you,” or “your”).

The “Services” encompass our public website(s), sub‑domains, community forums, private and public groups, Android mobile application (and future iOS application), e‑mail newsletters, push notifications, leaderboards, points, and any other product or feature we operate.

By creating an account, uploading content, or otherwise using any part of the Services you affirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy & Data‑Protection Policy. If you do not agree, do not access or use the Services.

Important Notice for Parents/Guardians: The Services are not directed to children under 13 years of age. Where local law requires parental consent for Users under 16 (e.g., many EU Member States), such consent must be provided via our parental‑consent workflow before access is granted.

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0. Definitions

• “Account” means the individual profile created by a User.
• “Content” means any text, photo, video, audio, graphic, file, code, or other material posted, uploaded, or transmitted via the Services.
• “Points/Badges/Leaderboards (Rewards)” mean virtual recognitions without monetary value granted for certain activities.
• “Paid Services” means digital goods, premium memberships, in‑app purchases, or subscriptions offered for a fee.

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1. Eligibility & Account Registration

1.1 Minimum Age & Capacity. You certify that you are at least 13 years old and legally competent to enter into contracts in your country of residence.

1.2 Single Account. Each individual may create one (1) Account. Corporate or bot Accounts are prohibited unless expressly authorised.

1.3 Information Accuracy. You must provide true, current, and complete information and keep it updated.

1.4 Credential Security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and for all activities that occur under your Account. Notify us immediately at [email protected] of unauthorised use.

1.5 Refusal or Termination. We reserve the right to refuse registration or to suspend/terminate Accounts in accordance with Section 11.

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2. Acceptable Use

2.1 Permitted Activities. The Services are provided for lawful, personal, non‑commercial use, including posting content, commenting, participating in forums/groups, earning Rewards, and engaging with other Users.

2.2 Prohibited Conduct. You agree not to: a. Violate any applicable law, regulation, or court order.
b. Upload or disseminate content that is illegal, defamatory, obscene, hateful, harassing, exploitative of minors, invasive of privacy, or otherwise objectionable.
c. Transmit viruses, malware, or any code designed to disrupt, damage, or limit functionality.
d. Send spam, phishing, or unsolicited promotions.
e. Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation.
f. Scrape, data‑mine, or mass‑harvest information without our prior written consent.
g. Circumvent access controls, geo‑blocking, rate‑limits, or export‑control restrictions (e.g., OFAC‑sanctioned regions).
h. Encourage or facilitate any of the above.

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3. User‑Generated Content & Licensing

3.1 Submission and Ownership
• You retain initial copyright in all content you upload or submit (“User Content”).
• If your submission is featured or published on our main editorial site, official social‑media channels, mobile‑app home feed, newsletters, or any branded anthology (collectively, “Featured Content”), you automatically assign to Minds Journal all worldwide copyrights and related rights in the Featured Content, including the exclusive right to monetise, adapt, translate, and sublicense, without any obligation to pay royalties or share revenue.
• For all non‑featured User Content, you grant Minds Journal a perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable, royalty‑free, sublicensable licence to host, display, reproduce, adapt, distribute, and promote the content in connection with the Services.

3.2 Revenue & Attribution
• Minds Journal may monetise Featured Content through advertising, sponsorships, licensing, print anthologies, or any other commercial method at its sole discretion. No revenue share or other compensation is owed to you unless a separate written contract expressly provides otherwise.
• Where practicable, we will credit you as the original author; however, you waive any requirement that such credit appear in every use.

3.3 Moral‑Rights Waiver
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you waive all moral rights (including rights of attribution and integrity) in both Featured and non‑featured User Content.

3.4 Warranties & Indemnity
You represent and warrant that:
(a) the User Content is your original work or you have obtained all necessary rights and licences;
(b) the User Content does not infringe or violate any copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other third‑party right;
(c) the User Content complies with these Terms, Community Guidelines, and applicable law.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Minds Journal from any loss, liability, or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to a breach of these warranties.

3.5 Platform Liability
Minds Journal acts as an intermediary under Section 79 of India’s Information Technology Act 2000 and analogous safe‑harbour provisions worldwide. We are not liable for User Content posted by you. We will promptly remove infringing material upon receipt of a valid notice in accordance with our DMCA Policy.

3.6 Withdrawal & Deletion
• You may delete non‑featured User Content at any time, which terminates the licence after a reasonable cache‑clearing period (up to 90 days).
• Featured Content assignments are irrevocable and survive account deletion.

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4. Feedback

By sending ideas, suggestions, or other feedback (“Feedback”) you grant Minds Journal a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty‑free licence to use and exploit such Feedback without restriction or compensation to you.

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5. Service Changes & Availability

5.1 We may add, modify, or discontinue features at any time without liability. Wherever feasible, we will provide reasonable notice.

5.2 Planned downtime or emergency maintenance may render the Services unavailable; Minds Journal will endeavour to minimise disruption.

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6. Rewards (Points, Badges, Leaderboards)

6.1 Rewards are virtual recognitions only: they hold no cash or property value, are not redeemable, and are non‑transferable.

6.2 We may alter qualification criteria, adjust or remove Rewards, or reset scores at any time.

6.3 Usernames and scores may be displayed publicly. Users may opt‑out via privacy settings.

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7. Third‑Party Services, Links & Advertising

7.1 The Services integrate third‑party platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, ad networks, payment processors). Your use of such third‑party services is governed by their respective terms, and Minds Journal is not responsible for their content or practices.

7.2 Sponsored content, brand partnerships, or affiliate links will be clearly identified in accordance with applicable law.

7.3 External links are provided for convenience. Minds Journal does not endorse, and is not liable for, external sites.

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8. Paid Services & In‑App Purchases

8.1 Pricing & Taxes. Prices are stated in Indian Rupees (INR) unless otherwise indicated and include applicable taxes where required.

8.2 App‑Store Terms. Purchases made through Google Play or the Apple App Store are processed by those third parties; their payment terms and refund policies apply.

8.3 Consumer Rights. Where local law provides a mandatory “cooling‑off” or withdrawal period (e.g., EU 14‑day digital‑content rule) you may cancel within that period unless you expressly waive it and the digital content has been fully delivered.

8.4 Subscriptions. Subscriptions auto‑renew by default. You can cancel at any time before the next billing cycle in your app‑store settings.

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9. Minds Journal Intellectual Property

Except for Your Content, all materials comprising the Services—including text, graphics, interfaces, logos, software, and trademarks—are owned by or licensed to Minds Journal and protected by applicable intellectual‑property laws. You receive a limited, revocable licence to access and use the Services for personal, non‑commercial purposes. No other rights are granted.

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10. Termination & Suspension

10.1 By You. You may terminate this agreement at any time by deleting your Account.

10.2 By Minds Journal. We may suspend or terminate Accounts or remove Content immediately if: (a) you breach these Terms, Community Guidelines, or law; (b) needed to protect the Services or other Users; or (c) required by law or court order.

10.3 Effect of Termination. Upon termination: (a) all licences granted to you cease; (b) Sections 3.2–3.4, 4, 9, 12–15, 17–24 survive.

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11. Disclaimers

11.1 No Professional Advice. All Content is provided for general information only and does not constitute medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Consult qualified professionals.

11.2 Service “As‑Is.” The Services are provided “as‑is” and “as‑available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose, non‑infringement, or availability.

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12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Minds Journal shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages, or for loss of profits, goodwill, data, or other intangible losses, even if advised of the possibility. Our aggregate liability under any theory of liability shall not exceed INR 10,000 or the amount you paid for Paid Services in the preceding twelve (12) months, whichever is greater. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability; in such cases, liability is limited to the smallest amount permitted by law.

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13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Minds Journal, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claim, demand, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from Your Content, your use of the Services, or your violation of these Terms or any law.

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14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

14.1 Governing Law. These Terms shall be governed by the laws of India, without regard to conflict‑of‑law principles.

14.2 Informal Resolution. You agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting us at [email protected]. If the dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days, either party may commence arbitration.

14.3 Arbitration. All disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996. The tribunal shall consist of a sole arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement. The seat of arbitration shall be Kolkata, India. The language shall be English.

14.4 Class‑Action Waiver. You and Minds Journal agree that any proceedings shall be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

14.5 Non‑Arbitrable Regions. If arbitration is unenforceable in your jurisdiction, disputes shall be submitted to the courts of competent jurisdiction in Kolkata, India.

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15. Additional Rights for California Residents

Under California Civil Code § 1789.3, Users located in California may contact the Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services, California Department of Consumer Affairs, in writing at 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834, or by telephone at +1‑800‑952‑5210.

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16. Export & Sanctions Compliance

You may not use the Services if you are located in, or a resident of, any country subject to Indian or U.S. trade sanctions, or if you are on any sanctions list. You agree to comply with all applicable export‑control laws.

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17. Apple App Store & Google Play Terms

Where you access the Services via the Apple App Store or Google Play:

• The licence granted is limited to a non‑transferable licence to use the application on devices you own/control.
• Apple and Google are third‑party beneficiaries of these Terms and may enforce them.
• You must also comply with the Apple Media Services Terms or Google Play Terms of Service, as applicable.

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18. Copyright Infringement — DMCA Notice & Takedown

If you believe Your Content has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please notify our designated DMCA Agent (details in Section 25) with a written notice that meets the requirements of 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3). We will respond in accordance with the DMCA.

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19. Force Majeure

Minds Journal shall not be liable for any failure or delay resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, labour disputes, government actions, or internet failures.

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20. Assignment

Minds Journal may assign or transfer these Terms, in whole or in part, without restriction. You may not assign your rights or obligations without our prior written consent.

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21. Severability & Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is held unenforceable, that provision will be severed and the remainder will remain in full force. Our failure to enforce any right or provision is not a waiver of future enforcement.

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22. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy & Data‑Protection Policy and any supplemental terms incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Minds Journal and supersede all prior agreements.

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23. Survival

Sections 3.2–3.4, 4, 9, 11–15, 16–24 shall survive termination of these Terms.

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24. EU Digital Services Act (DSA) Contact Point

For Users in the European Union, our single point of contact for authorities under Article 11 DSA is: [email protected] (English language only).

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25. Notices & Contact Information

Minds Journal Private Limited
Registered Office: Module 18, Floor 14, Bengal Eco Intelligent Park, EM 3, Sector 5, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, India
Grievance Officer / Data‑Protection Officer: Module 18, Floor 14, Bengal Eco Intelligent Park, EM 3, Sector 5, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, India
E‑mail: [email protected]
DMCA Agent (for U.S. copyright matters): [agent name, address, e‑mail]
Telephone: +919748003434

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General Disclaimer & Liability Limitation

Effective Date: 30 July 2025 Last Updated: 30 July 2025

This General Disclaimer supplements the Terms of Service and clarifies the limits of Minds Journal Private Limited’s (“Minds Journal,” “we,” “our”) responsibility for user‑generated content, professional advice, third‑party links, and platform availability across our websites and mobile apps.

A. No Professional Advice

• Medical / Mental‑Health Content: All articles, posts, videos, and discussions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical, psychiatric, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for personalised guidance.
• Emergency Situations: If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact local emergency services or the nearest suicide‑prevention helpline immediately. Helplines are listed at /help‑resources.

B. User‑Generated Content (UGC)

• Opinions expressed in UGC are those of the individual authors and do not reflect Minds Journal’s views. We do not routinely verify factual claims in UGC.
• While we moderate for policy violations, we are not liable for damages arising from reliance on UGC, per safe‑harbour laws (IT Act § 79, DMCA § 512, EU DSA Art 6).

C. Third‑Party Links & Advertisements

• Our platforms may contain links to external websites or ads served by independent networks. We do not endorse and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of third‑party sites.
• Transactions with third‑party advertisers are solely between you and the advertiser.

D. Platform Availability

• Service may be interrupted for maintenance, updates, or network issues. While we aim for 99.9 % uptime, Minds Journal is not liable for losses due to downtime, data loss, or service disruption beyond our reasonable control.

E. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Minds Journal shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill. Our aggregate liability for claims arising from the Services shall not exceed INR 10,000 or the amount you paid for Paid Services in the preceding 12 months, whichever is greater.

F. Governing Law

This Disclaimer is governed by the laws of India. Disputes are subject to the arbitration clause in the Terms of Service.

G. Contact

Questions? Email [email protected].

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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 30 July 2025 Last Updated: 30 July 2025

This Privacy & Data‑Protection Policy (the “Policy”) explains how Minds Journal Private Limited (“Minds Journal,” “we,” “our,” or “us“) collects, uses, shares, stores, and protects your personal information when you access or use our websites, sub‑domains, community platforms, Android application, future iOS application, newsletters, push notifications, and any other services we operate (collectively, the “Services”).

By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy and agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with it. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

Data‑Protection Officer (DPO) / Grievance Officer:
Name: Sakshi Choudhary Email: [email protected] Postal: Module 18, Floor 14, Bengal Eco Intelligent Park, EM 3, Sector 5, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, India

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1. Definitions

• “Personal Data” / “Personal Information” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual.
• “Processing” means any operation performed on Personal Data, whether automated or not.
• “Sensitive Data” includes information about health, race, ethnicity, or other special categories as defined by law.

2 · Third‑Party Services We Use

We rely on a limited set of trusted third‑party platforms, plugins, and SDKs to deliver core functionality. Each vendor processes data only for the purpose listed below and under a Data‑Processing Agreement (DPA) with Minds Journal.

Service / Vendor	Key Data Collected	Primary Purpose	Opt‑out / Learn More
BuddyBoss Platform (self‑hosted)	Profile fields, follower graph, private messages stored in our database	Community social features	Delete account ⇢ data purged within 90 days
GamiPress (WordPress plugin)	Action logs (post IDs, timestamps), point balances, badge status	Gamification & leaderboards	Reset points via Support; records auto‑deleted after 24 months or on account deletion
Google Identity Services (OAuth 2.0 Sign‑In)	Google ID token, name, e‑mail	Single‑sign‑on authentication	Disconnect in Google Account > Security > Third‑party apps
Firebase Cloud Messaging / OneSignal	Device push token, app instance ID	Mobile & web push notifications	Disable notifications in App > Settings or OS settings
Google Analytics (GA4)	Pseudonymised usage data, truncated IP	Site/app analytics & performance	Browser opt‑out add‑on; Cookie banner │
Adnimation & Prebid.js Header‑Bidding Partners	Cookie IDs, ad impression metrics	Programmatic advertising & frequency capping	AdChoices icon on each ad; CMP “Ad Personalisation” toggle

Full vendor list & real‑time updates are maintained at /legal/vendor‑list; material additions are notified via the Cookie Preferences Centre.

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3. Scope & Jurisdictional Compliance

This Policy applies worldwide and is designed to comply with, among others:

• EU / UK GDPR
• California CCPA / CPRA
• Brazil LGPD
• India Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDP)
• Singapore PDPA, South Africa POPIA, and other applicable laws

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4. Information We Collect & How We Collect It

Category	Examples	Source	Purpose
Account Data	Name, email, username, date‑of‑birth, password hash	Provided by you	Create & secure account
Profile Content	Bio, profile photo, interests, links	Provided by you	Personalise experience
UGC	Posts, comments, photos, videos, messages	Provided by you; generated in‑app	Publish & moderate content
Usage Data	Pages viewed, interactions, timestamps, referring URL	Automated (cookies, SDKs, server logs)	Analytics, security, product improvement
Device & Technical	IP address, browser type, OS, device ID, app version, push‑token, advertising ID	Automated	Operate Services, analytics, fraud prevention
Location (approximate)	Country, city (derived from IP)	Automated	Content localisation, legal compliance
Marketing Preferences	Newsletter opt‑in, push consent	Provided by you	Send promotional communication
Payment Data	Transaction ID, last 4 digits, billing country (handled by app stores/payment processors)	Third‑party provider	Process Paid Services, fraud detection

We do not intentionally collect sensitive Personal Data (e.g., health data) unless you choose to post it publicly.

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5. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR Article 6)

Purpose	Legal Basis
Provide and maintain the Services	Contract (Art 6‑1‑b)
Personalise content, leaderboards, and notifications	Legitimate interest (Art 6‑1‑f)
Send marketing emails / push notifications	Consent (Art 6‑1‑a)
Analytics & service improvement	Legitimate interest; Consent where required
Comply with legal obligations (e.g., DMCA, IT Rules 2021)	Legal obligation (Art 6‑1‑c)
Protect rights, prevent fraud	Legitimate interest

Where consent is the legal basis, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting prior processing.

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6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use first‑party and third‑party cookies, SDKs, pixels, and similar technologies to:

• Authenticate Users and maintain sessions (essential).
• Analyse traffic and performance (analytics cookies, e.g., Google Analytics GA4).
• Deliver contextual or personalised ads (advertising cookies/SKAdNetwork).
• Enable social‑media integrations.

EU/UK Users: A granular consent banner is displayed on first visit in compliance with the ePrivacy Directive and IAB TCF v2.2. You may adjust preferences at any time via our “Cookie Settings” link.

Mobile Users: We honour Android/Apple “Opt‑out of Ads” settings. Push tokens are stored solely for delivering notifications you consented to and can be revoked in app settings.

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7. How We Share or Disclose Your Information

Recipient	Reason	Safeguards
Service Providers (hosting, CDN, analytics, email, customer support)	Operate and improve Services	Data‑processing agreements; least‑privilege access
Advertising Partners (e.g., Google AdSense, OpenX)	Serve ads and measure performance	Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs); opt‑out mechanisms
Payment Processors / App Stores	Complete transactions	PCI‑DSS compliance; tokenised data
Legal/Regulatory Authorities	Respond to lawful requests, court orders, or to protect rights	Verified request procedure
Corporate Transactions	Merger, acquisition, or asset sale	Notice to Users + data‑protection continuity
Other Users	Display UGC, leaderboards, profile info you set to “public”	User privacy settings

We do not sell Personal Data for money. Under CCPA/CPRA, some sharing for targeted advertising may be considered a “sale or share”; Users can opt‑out via the “Do Not Sell or Share My Information” link.

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8. International Data Transfers

Our primary servers are located in [region]. Personal Data may be transferred and processed outside your country.

• EU/UK → India/US Transfers: safeguarded by Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and supplementary measures (encryption in transit/at rest, strict access control).
• Brazil LGPD: Transfers rely on SCC‑equivalent contractual clauses.

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9. Data Retention & Deletion

Data Category	Standard Retention	Deletion Trigger
Active Account Data	While Account remains active	Account deletion by User
Back‑up Copies	Up to 90 days	Automated purge cycle
Log Files	12 months	Aggregated/anonymised thereafter
Marketing Consent Records	5 years (legal defence)	Consent withdrawal + statutory period
Financial Records	8 years (Indian tax law)	Legal requirement expiry

When retention expires, data is securely deleted or irreversibly anonymised.

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10. Your Privacy Rights

Jurisdiction	Rights
EU/UK (GDPR)	Access, Rectification, Erasure, Restriction, Portability, Objection, Lodge complaint with supervisory authority
California (CCPA/CPRA)	Know, Correct, Delete, Opt‑out of Sale/Share, Limit Use of Sensitive Data, No retaliation
Brazil (LGPD)	Confirm processing, Access, Correction, Anonymisation, Deletion, Portability, Revoke consent
India (DPDP 2023)	Access, Correction, Erasure, Grievance redressal
South Africa (POPIA), Singapore (PDPA)	Similar access and correction rights

We will respond within the legally required timeframe (GDPR: 1 month; CCPA: 45 days, etc.). Identity verification is required.

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11. How to Exercise Your Rights

• Self‑service: Privacy dashboard → Account Settings > Privacy & Data.
• Email: [email protected] (Subject: “Data Request”).
• Postal: Attn: DPO / Grievance Officer, [address].

If you are dissatisfied, you may lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority (e.g., ICO UK, CNIL France, ANPD Brazil).

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12. Security Measures

• Encryption: HTTPS/TLS 1.3 for data‑in‑transit; AES‑256 at rest for critical tables.
• Access Control: Role‑based, least privilege, MFA for admin accounts.
• Network Security: WAF, DDoS mitigation, continuous vulnerability scanning.
• Incident Response: 24/7 monitoring; breach notification within 72 hours (GDPR) / as required by law.
• Bug Bounty: [email protected] following ISO/IEC 29147.

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13. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children under 13 years (or higher age threshold dictated by local law). If we learn that we inadvertently processed such data, we will delete it promptly. Parents/guardians may contact us at [email protected] to request deletion.

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14. Automated Decision‑Making & Profiling

We use limited automated processing to:

• Detect spam, fraud, or policy violations.
• Rank popular posts and allocate leaderboard points.
  These processes have no legal or similarly significant effects on Users. You may request human review of a decision that affects you.

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15. Third‑Party Sites & Integrations

The Services may contain links to external websites, plug‑ins, or widgets operated by third parties (e.g., social‑media “share” buttons). Your interactions with third‑party properties are governed by their own privacy policies, not this Policy. Minds Journal is not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of such third parties.

When you use a third‑party login (e.g., “Sign in with Google”), we receive only the authorised profile information necessary to create or link your Account. You can revoke access in your third‑party account settings at any time.

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16. Do Not Track (DNT) & Global Privacy Control (GPC)

Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” signals or the newer “Global Privacy Control” header. Our Services currently honour GPC signals for U.S. and EU/UK Users by automatically opting you out of “sale/share” of Personal Data for cross‑context behavioural advertising. We do not respond to legacy DNT signals because no industry standard has been adopted.

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17. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our practices. Material changes will be notified at least 14 days in advance via (a) email to registered Users, (b) in‑app notification, or (c) prominent banner on our site. The “Last Updated” date at the top will be revised. Your continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

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18. Contact, Questions & Complaints

• E‑mail (primary): [email protected]
• Postal: Attn: DPO / Grievance Officer, Minds Journal Private Limited, [address]
• EU/UK Representative (GDPR Art 27): [name & address]

If you believe we have not adequately resolved your concern, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority:

• EU: Find your authority at https://edpb.europa.eu/
• UK: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
• Brazil: Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD)
• India: Data Protection Board (once operational)
• USA (California): California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)

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19. Regional Supplements

19.1 European Economic Area & United Kingdom

• Controller: Minds Journal Private Limited.
• Data Transfers: Rely on Standard Contractual Clauses + supplementary measures.
• Lawful Basis Overrides: Where we rely on legitimate interests, we have conducted balancing tests available on request.
• Automated Decision Review: You may request human intervention under GDPR Art 22.

19.2 California (CCPA/CPRA)

• Categories Disclosed: Identifiers, internet activity, geolocation data, inferences.
• Sensitive Personal Information: We do not process sensitive categories for inferring characteristics.
• Shine the Light: We do not share Personal Data for direct marketing of third parties.
• Appeals: Denied requests can be appealed within 60 days via [email protected].

19.3 Brazil (LGPD)

• Controller Contact: [email protected] (Assunto: “Encarregado LGPD”).
• Legal Bases: Art. 7, incisos I, II, V, VI, and IX.
• Data Subject Requests: Responded within 15 days.

19.4 India (DPDP 2023)

Significant Data Fiduciary Status: Currently not applicable; reassessed annually.

Data Fiduciary: Minds Journal Private Limited.

Grievance Redressal: [email protected] (resolved within 7 working days).

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Cookie & Tracking Technologies Policy

Effective Date: 30 July 2025 Last Updated: 30 July 2025

This Cookie & Tracking Technologies Policy (the “Cookie Policy”) explains how Minds Journal Private Limited (“Minds Journal,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) uses cookies, software development kits (SDKs), pixels, local storage, and similar technologies (collectively, “Cookies”) on our websites, sub‑domains, Android application, and future iOS application (the “Services”). It should be read together with our Privacy & Data‑Protection Policy.

Key Point: We only place non‑essential Cookies (analytics, advertising, social‑sharing) on your device after we obtain consent where required by law (e.g., EU/UK, Brazil, California). You can adjust or withdraw consent at any time via our Cookie Preferences Centre.

A. What Are Cookies?

“Cookies” are small text files or code placed on your browser or device when you visit a website or open a mobile app. They perform a variety of functions, such as remembering your preferences, enabling secure login, measuring audience size, and personalising content.

B. Types of Cookies We Use

Category	Purpose	Examples	Retention
Strictly Necessary / Authentication	Enable secure login, session management, fraud prevention.	__Host-session, cf_bm, oauth_google_nonce, g_state, accounts.google.com session cookies	Session / up to 24 h
Functional	Remember choices (language, theme) and enhance features (video playback).	user_lang, theme_pref	30 days – 12 months
Analytics & Performance	Understand usage patterns, improve products, A/B testing.	Google Analytics (GA4) _ga, Amplitude amp_*	30 mins – 24 months
Advertising & Marketing	Serve relevant ads, limit ad frequency, measure campaign efficacy.	Google AdSense IDE, Prebid pbjs_*, Facebook Pixel fr	90 days – 13 months
Social Media & Single Sign‑On	Facilitate Google Sign‑In, sharing to Facebook/Twitter.	SID, LSID (Google), fbm_*, twitter_sess	Session / up to 12 months
Local Storage / SDK Identifiers (Mobile)	Store app settings, push‑notification tokens, advertising ID.	AsyncStorage@settings, Firebase Instance ID	Persistent until app uninstall or user reset

Note: Specific Cookie names may change as we update our Services. The live “Cookie Preferences Centre” contains an updated list.

C. Legal Grounds for Using Cookies Legal Grounds for Using Cookies

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: Legitimate interest / contract fulfilment.
• Functional & Analytics Cookies: Legitimate interest or consent (where local law requires).
• Advertising & Social‑Media Cookies: Consent (EU/UK GDPR, Brazil LGPD, California CPRA “sale/share” opt‑out).

D. Consent Management & Control

1. Granular Consent Banner (EU/UK, Brazil, South Korea): Shown on first visit; operates under IAB TCF v2.2.
2. Cookie Preferences Centre: Accessible anytime via footer link “Cookie Settings.”
3. California & U.S. States (CPRA, CPA, CTDPA): “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link opts out of Advertising Cookies.
4. Global Privacy Control (GPC): We honour GPC signals by disabling Advertising Cookies and setting a “do_not_sell” flag.
5. Mobile App Opt‑Out: We respect “Limit Ad Tracking” (iOS) and “Opt‑out of Ads Personalisation” (Android). You can also clear app data to remove stored identifiers.

E. Third‑Party Cookies & SDKs

Third‑party providers may place their own Cookies when you visit our Services or use Google Sign‑In. We contractually require them to process data only for specified purposes and to honour user consent signals.

Provider	Purpose	Opt‑out/Docs
Google Identity Services (OAuth 2.0 / Sign‑In)	Single‑sign‑on authentication; issues ID & access tokens; sets secure cookies on accounts.google.com.	Google Privacy & Terms https://policies.google.com/privacy; revoke access in Google Account > Security > Third‑party apps
Google Analytics GA4	Site usage analytics	https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Google AdSense / Ad Manager	Display advertising	Ad‑Choices icon on each ad; Cookie banner
Meta (Facebook) Pixel	Ad conversion tracking	Network Advertising Initiative (https://optout.networkadvertising.org)
Prebid.js Partners	Header‑bidding ads	Managed via Consent Management Platform

F. How to Manage Cookies How to Manage Cookies

• Browser Settings: You may block or delete Cookies via your browser’s preferences. Note: essential Cookies are required for core functionality (e.g., login).
• Device Settings (Mobile): Reset Advertising ID (AAID/IDFA) in Android/iOS settings.
• Third‑Party Opt‑outs: Use industry opt‑out tools (NAI, DAA, EDAA).
• Local Storage: Clear app storage or uninstall to remove persistent identifiers.

G. Do Not Track (DNT)

Because there is no industry standard for DNT, we do not respond to DNT signals. Instead, we honour the newer Global Privacy Control (GPC) header.

H. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy as our use of technology evolves. Material changes will be notified 14 days in advance via banner and/or in‑app notification. The “Last Updated” date will reflect the latest revision.

I. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our data practices, please email [email protected] or write to:
Data‑Protection Officer, Minds Journal Private Limited, Module 18, Floor 14, Bengal Eco Intelligent Park, EM 3, Sector 5, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700091, India.

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