Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Scope
At TechPlayForge, we respect your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal information when you visit our website at techplayforge.com (the “Site”).
Our Commitment: We’re committed to transparency. We don’t sell your data. Period.
Who This Policy Applies To
- All website visitors
- Newsletter subscribers
- Commenters (if comments enabled)
- Contact form submitters
- Anyone using our services
Acceptance
By using TechPlayForge, you accept this Privacy Policy. If you disagree with any part, please do not use the Site. This policy should be read alongside our Terms of Service.
Compliance
This policy complies with:
- DPDPA (Digital Personal Data Protection Act, India)
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation, EU) principles
- International data protection best practices
2. Information We Collect
A. Information You Provide Directly
Newsletter Subscription
- Data Collected: Email address, name (optional)
- Required/Optional: Email required, name optional
- How We Use It: Send weekly tech insights and reviews
- Retention: Until unsubscribe or 2 years of inactivity
Contact Form Submissions
- Data Collected: Name, email, message content, subject
- Required/Optional: All required for response
- How We Use It: Respond to your inquiry
- Retention: 6 months after resolution, then deleted
Comment Section (If Enabled)
- Data Collected: Name, email, website (optional), comment text
- Required/Optional: Name and email required
- How We Use It: Display comments, moderation
- Retention: Indefinitely as part of the site content
B. Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Site, we automatically collect certain information through analytics tools and server logs:
- IP Address: Partially anonymized for analytics
- Browser Type & Version: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.
- Operating System: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Device Type: Mobile, desktop, tablet
- Pages Visited: Which articles/pages you view
- Time Spent: How long you stay on pages
- Referral Source: Where you came from (Google, social media, direct)
- Geographic Location: General location (city/country level, not precise)
Collection Method: Google Analytics, server logs
C. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Managing Cookies: You can adjust browser settings to refuse cookies. Note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.
D. Third-Party Information
- Social Media Links: No data shared unless you click and visit their sites
- Embedded Content: YouTube videos, social media embeds—their cookies apply when you interact
3. How We Use Your Information
Newsletter Delivery
- Purpose: Send weekly tech insights, product reviews, and updates
- Frequency: Weekly (or as specified at signup)
- Unsubscribe: One-click unsubscribe in every email
- Email Service Provider: [Your ESP: Mailchimp/ConvertKit/Other]
Improving Website Performance
- Analytics: Understand most-read articles, bounce rates, and user navigation patterns
- Purpose: Make the site faster, better, more useful
- Tool: Google Analytics (data anonymized where possible)
Responding to Inquiries
- Contact Forms: Respond to product review submissions, partnership inquiries, and feedback
- Timeline: 24-48 hours response commitment
- Data Deleted: After resolution (6 months retention)
Legal Compliance
- When Required: If legally obligated by law enforcement or government
- Process: Only with a legal process/warrant
- Notification: We’ll notify users when legally permissible
Comment Moderation (If Applicable)
- Purpose: Maintain community standards, prevent spam/abuse
- Process: Comments reviewed before publication or flagged for review
Showing Relevant Ads (If Applicable)
- Targeting: Based on interest categories, past browsing
- Tracking: Pixel data, cookie data from ad networks
- Tools: Google Ads, [other ad networks]
- Opt-out: Google Ads Settings, browser ad blockers
Important: We never sell your data to third parties. We only share data when necessary for service delivery (email providers, hosting).
4. Data Retention & Deletion
Newsletter Subscribers
- Retention: Until unsubscribe OR 2 years of inactivity (no email opens)
- Deletion: Automatically deleted after unsubscribe
- Manual Request: Email privacy@techplayforge.com anytime
Contact Form Submissions
- Retention: 6 months after inquiry resolved
- Deletion: Automatically deleted after 6 months
- Manual Request: Request deletion anytime
Comments (If Applicable)
- Retention: Indefinitely (part of site content/discussion)
- Deletion: Can request deletion—may not remove if integral to the discussion
- Anonymization: Can anonymize your name/email while keeping the comment
Google Analytics Data
- Retention: 26 months (Google’s default setting)
- Anonymization: IP addresses partially masked
- Deletion: Automatically deleted after 26 months
Cookies
- Essential: Until the browser is closed or the expiration date
- Analytics: 26 months
- Advertising: Variable (see cookie policy)
How to Request Deletion
- Send email to: privacy@techplayforge.com
- Include: What data to delete, your email address used on the site
- Timeline: Response within 30 days (DPDPA requirement)
- Verification: May need to verify identity for security purposes
Important Note: Some data may need retention for legal, tax, or regulatory purposes even after a deletion request.
5. Your Privacy Rights (DPDPA-Compliant)
1. Right to Access
Request a copy of all personal data we have about you.
- How to Exercise: Email privacy@techplayforge.com with “Data Export Request”
- Timeline: 30-day response
- Format: PDF or CSV (structured, commonly used format)
2. Right to Correction
Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
- Example: Update email if incorrect, fix name spelling
- How to Exercise: Contact us with correction details
- Confirmation: We’ll update within 30 days
3. Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”)
Request deletion of your personal data.
- Limitations: Legal obligations may prevent deletion
- How to Exercise: Email with “Deletion Request”
- Confirmation: Will confirm deletion completion
4. Right to Withdraw Consent
Withdraw consent for specific data processing activities.
- Example: Unsubscribe from nthe ewsletter
- Effect: Future processing stops; past data handling was lawful
- One-Click: Unsubscribe available in every email
5. Right to Data Portability
Receive your data in machine-readable format to transfer to another service.
- Format: CSV or JSON
- Timeline: 30 days
- Use Case: Move to another newsletter service, export your data
How to Exercise Your Rights
Email: privacy@techplayforge.com
Include:
- Your name
- Email address used on the site
- Specific right you’re requesting
- Any supporting details
Privacy Officer: [Name, if applicable]
Response Time: Maximum 30 days
Appeals Process: If the request is denied, you can appeal to the Data Protection Board of India
6. Data Sharing & Third Parties
Service Providers (Data Processors)
Email Service Provider
- Provider: [Mailchimp/ConvertKit/Other]
- Receives: Email addresses, names
- Purpose: Sending newsletters
- Agreement: Data Processing Agreement in place
- Location: [US/EU/Location]
Web Hosting Provider
- Provider: [Your hosting provider]
- Receives: Server logs (IP addresses, access patterns)
- Purpose: Site operation and security
- Location: [Hosting location]
Google Analytics
- Receives: Anonymized user behavior data
- Purpose: Understanding traffic, improving the site
- Processing: Per Google’s Privacy Policy
- Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Google Ads (If Applicable)
- Receives: Cookie/pixel data for ad targeting
- Purpose: Showing relevant ads
- Opt-out: Google Ads Settings
Our Data Sharing Policy
- ✅ We DO NOT sell data
- ✅ We DO NOT share with advertisers without anonymization
- ✅ We DO share with service providers under contracts
- ✅ We ONLY share when legally required
Data Processing Agreements
All service providers have Data Processing Agreements specifying:
- Data protection standards
- Compliance with GDPR/DPDPA
- Confidentiality obligations
- Security measures
International Transfers
Data may be transferred internationally for processing (e.g., US-based email providers). Same protection standards apply through:
- Data Processing Agreements
- Standard Contractual Clauses
- Adequacy decisions
7. Security Measures
Technical Security
- SSL/HTTPS Encryption: All data in transit is encrypted
- Server Firewalls: Intrusion detection and prevention
- Regular Security Updates: Monthly security patches
- Database Encryption: Data at rest is encrypted
- Secure Password Storage: Hashing and salting (if accounts exist)
Administrative Security
- Limited Access: Only necessary personnel have access to data
- Confidentiality Agreements: All staff are bound by NDAs
- Incident Response Plan: Procedures for breach handling
- Security Audits: Annual security reviews
Data Breach Notification
Our Commitment:
- Notify affected users within 72 hours of discovery
- Notification Method: Email to affected users
- Information Provided: What data, what happened, recommended actions
- Regulatory Reporting: Comply with DPDPA Section 18 notification requirement
Security Limitations
Important: No system is 100% secure. While we implement industry-standard security:
- Users are responsible for password security
- Users are responsible for account security
- We’re not liable for compromises beyond reasonable security measures
Recommendations for Users
- Use strong, unique passwords
- Don’t share login credentials
- Use two-factor authentication if available
- Log out after use on shared devices
Compliance
We follow:
- Industry best practices
- GDPR security requirements
- DPDPA security requirements
8. Policy Updates & Contact Information
Changes to This Policy
- Updates: We may update this policy with notice
- Major Changes: Email notification to subscribers
- Minor Changes: Published on this page with updated date
- Effective Date: Always shown at the top of the policy
- Acceptance: Continuing use = acceptance of changes
Contact Us – Privacy Inquiries
Privacy Officer: [Name/Role]
Email: privacy@techplayforge.com
Mail: [Business address in India]
Response Time: 24-48 hours for general inquiries, 30 days for rights requests
Also Available: Contact form at /contact-us