Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Vishwasampada ("the App", "we", "us") is a mobile application that helps members track study streaks, manage screen time through Strict Mode, view community notifications and gallery photos, and connect with CAP tutors. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through the App, how we use it, and the choices you have.

By creating an account or using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you sign up, we use Amazon Cognito to create and authenticate your account. We collect:

• Email address
• Password (stored and managed securely by Amazon Cognito — we never see or store your plaintext password)

2.2 Profile Information

To personalize your experience, we collect information you provide during sign-up and in your account settings:

Field	Purpose
Full name	Displayed on your profile and in the community
Mobile number	Account contact and verification
Country, state, city	Localization and community grouping
Occupation (student, teacher, school staff, CAP tutor, other)	Personalizing app features relevant to your role
School name, class, roll number	Collected for students/teachers to verify educational context
Profile picture selection	Displayed as your in-app avatar

2.3 CAP Tutor Verification

If you apply to become a CAP tutor, we ask you to upload a photo of your tutor ID card. This photo is stored securely and is reviewed by our moderators solely to verify your tutor status. It is not shared publicly or used for any other purpose.

2.4 Activity & Usage Data

• Study streaks: we record your daily streak count and the date you last completed a streak-qualifying activity.
• Notifications: messages sent to you by moderators or broadcast to all users, and whether you've read them.
• Gallery: community photos uploaded by moderators, which you can view within the App.

2.5 Strict Mode Data

If you enable Strict Mode, we collect the names/package identifiers of apps you choose to restrict and the daily time limits you set for them, so this configuration can sync across your devices. See Section 4 for details on how app usage is actually monitored.

3. How We Use Your Information

• To create and maintain your account
• To provide core features: streaks, notifications, gallery, Strict Mode, and tutor requests
• To verify CAP tutor applications
• To allow moderators to manage users, respond to tutor requests, and post community notifications
• To maintain the security and integrity of the App
• To communicate with you about your account when necessary

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your data for third-party advertising.

4. Strict Mode & App Usage Data

Strict Mode is an optional feature that lets you limit or block your own use of specific apps on your Android device.

• The App uses Android's Usage Stats and Accessibility Service permissions to detect when a restricted app is opened and to enforce the daily time limit or block you've configured, entirely on your device.
• We do not transmit a record of your moment-to-moment app usage (e.g. exactly when or how long you used a specific app) to our servers. Only the list of restricted apps and the limits you set are synced, so your configuration is preserved across sessions and devices.
• You may set a PIN to prevent yourself from easily disabling Strict Mode; this PIN is stored securely and is not recoverable by us in plaintext.
• The QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES Android permission is used only to let you pick which installed apps to restrict — it is not used to collect or transmit a list of your installed apps to our servers.

5. Data Storage & Security

Vishwasampada is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Specifically:

• Authentication is handled by Amazon Cognito.
• App data (profiles, streaks, notifications, Strict Mode configuration, tutor requests) is stored in an AWS-managed Aurora PostgreSQL database.
• Photos (gallery images and tutor ID photos) are stored in Amazon S3.
• API requests are served through Amazon API Gateway and AWS Lambda over encrypted HTTPS connections.

We apply reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. How We Share Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: Amazon Web Services (Cognito, Aurora, S3, API Gateway, Lambda) processes and stores data on our behalf under their standard data-processing and security terms.
• Within the community: your name and profile picture may be visible to other signed-in users; content you post (e.g. tutor applications) may be visible to moderators.
• Legal requirements: if required to comply with a legal obligation, protect our rights, or ensure user safety.

7. Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain your information for as long as your account is active, or as needed to provide you the App's features.

You can permanently delete your account and associated data at any time from the App's Account page. Deleting your account removes your profile, streak history, Strict Mode configuration, and uploaded tutor ID photo from our systems, except where we are required to retain certain records by law.

8. Device Permissions

Permission	Why we ask for it
Camera / Photo Library	To let you take or select a photo of your CAP tutor ID card during tutor sign-up
Usage Access / Accessibility Service	To enforce the app time limits and blocks you configure in Strict Mode, entirely on-device
Query All Packages	To display your installed apps so you can choose which ones to add to Strict Mode
Notifications	To alert you about messages from moderators or the community

You can decline or revoke these permissions in your device settings, though doing so may limit certain features.

9. Children's Privacy

Vishwasampada is designed to support students, including those under 18, in an educational context. We do not knowingly collect more information from a child than is necessary to provide the App's features, and we encourage parents/guardians to review this policy with their children. If you believe a child has provided us with information beyond what is necessary, please contact us so we can address it.

10. Your Rights & Choices

• Access & correction: you can view and update most of your profile information directly within the App.
• Deletion: you can delete your account at any time (see Section 7).
• Notifications: you can clear or manage notifications from within the App.
• Strict Mode: you can add or remove restricted apps at any time (subject to your own PIN, if set).

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the App or applicable law. We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page when we do. Continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.