Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

CampusFreelance ("we," "us," "our," or "the Platform") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and related services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Registration Information: Full name, college/university name, email address (college-verified), password
• Profile Information: Bio, profile picture, skills, experience, portfolio links
• Payment Information: Bank account details, payment preferences (processed securely via PayU/Razorpay)
• Project Information: Project descriptions, budgets, deadlines, deliverables, and communication
• Communication Data: Messages, chats, feedback, and reviews

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, clicks, interactions
• Cookies: Session cookies and persistent cookies for functionality and analytics
• Log Files: Server logs including access times and error information

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• College email verification systems
• Payment gateway providers (PayU, Razorpay)
• Analytics services

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

• Account creation and management
• Processing payments and withdrawals
• Providing and improving Platform services
• Facilitating communication between users
• Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements
• Preventing fraud and ensuring platform security
• Sending transactional emails and notifications
• Compliance with legal obligations
• Marketing and promotional activities (with your consent)
• Analytics and performance monitoring

4. Data Protection & Security

4.1 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Password hashing using bcrypt/similar algorithms
• Secure payment processing via PayU/Razorpay
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls limiting data to authorized personnel only
• Protection against SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF attacks

4.2 Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations. You may request data deletion by contacting us, subject to legal and contractual requirements.

5. Information Sharing & Disclosure

5.1 With Other Users

To facilitate projects, we share:

• Your display name/alias (optional anonymity)
• Your profile information and skills
• Project-related communications
• Ratings and reviews

5.2 With Service Providers

We share information with:

• Payment Processors: PayU and Razorpay (for secure payment processing)
• Email Service Providers: For transactional communications
• Analytics Providers: To understand platform usage
• Cloud Hosting: For secure data storage

5.3 Legal Compliance

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government request to protect our legal rights and user safety.

5.4 No Sale of Personal Data

We do NOT sell your personal information to third parties. All data sharing is strictly for operational, legal, or user-requested purposes.

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Access & Portability

You have the right to request a copy of your personal data held by us. We will provide this information within 30 days of your request.

6.2 Correction & Update

You can update your profile information anytime through your account settings. Contact us for assistance with data corrections.

6.3 Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and associated data. Note: We may retain some information for legal, fraud prevention, or contractual purposes.

6.4 Opt-Out

You can opt-out of marketing communications by clicking "unsubscribe" in emails or adjusting notification settings in your account.

7. Protection of Personal Information in Chat

7.1 Automated Detection System

CampusFreelance uses automated systems to detect and block attempts to share:

• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Personal names
• Student ID or roll numbers
• Year/semester information
• Home addresses and postal codes

7.2 Privacy by Design

Our platform encourages communication through aliases and anonymous profiles to maintain privacy. We actively prevent direct contact exchanges that could compromise user safety.

8. Cookies & Tracking

8.1 Cookie Usage

We use cookies for:

• Session management and user authentication
• Remembering user preferences
• Analytics and performance tracking
• Security and fraud prevention

8.2 Third-Party Cookies

Third-party service providers may place cookies on your device. You can control cookie settings in your browser.

9. Third-Party Links

CampusFreelance is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites or services linked from our Platform. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Children's Privacy

CampusFreelance is not intended for users under 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect information from minors. If we become aware of such collection, we will promptly delete the information.

11. International Data Transfer

Your information may be stored and processed in India. By using CampusFreelance, you consent to the transfer of your information to India and its processing under Indian law.

12. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email or prominent notice on the Platform. Continued use implies acceptance of updated terms.

13. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify affected users within 72 hours and provide guidance on protective measures.

14. Contact Information

For privacy-related questions, requests, or concerns, please contact us at:

15. Compliance

CampusFreelance complies with applicable data protection laws including India's Information Technology Rules, 2000 and other relevant regulations.