Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

GSS is a civic technology product developed, owned and operated by Social enterprise Grannus Civic Solution Pvt. Ltd. ("Company", "we", "our" or "us"). Public Safety and Civic action mission of GSS are supported by Grannus fundation, a registered no profit NGO

Grannus Civic Solution Pvt. Ltd. provides the technology and digital infrastructure for GSS, while Grannus Foundation is associated with its civic and social initiatives. Both are distinct legal entities.

GSS is a digital platform designed to facilitate civic participation, public awareness, social networking, training, community engagement and recognition of civic contributions.

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored, protected and shared when individuals visit our website, register for an account, apply for GSS membership or use our digital services.

2. Information We Collect

Account Registration

• Full name
• Email address
• 10-digit mobile number
• State, district and city
• Optional profile photograph
• Selected areas of social interest

GSS Membership Information

Individuals applying for official GSS membership may provide additional information including membership photographs, professional background, organization or affiliation, personal introduction and other membership application details.

GSS may also maintain membership identifiers, categories, validity periods, status, leadership designations and other official membership records.

Civic Activities and Other Services

Depending on the service used, GSS may collect activity descriptions, photographs, training responses, civic observations, event submissions, recognition requests, location information and other information voluntarily submitted by users.

Technical Information

Our website may process IP addresses, browser information, device details, cookies, login records and website usage information for security, functionality and analytics.

3. Google Sign-In

Where Google Sign-In is available, GSS uses Google's authentication service to verify users and provide secure account access.

When a user chooses Google Sign-In, GSS may receive the following information from Google:

• Google account email address
• Email verification status
• A unique Google account identifier used for account authentication

This information is used only to authenticate users, create or identify their GSS accounts and maintain account access.

GSS does not request access to Gmail messages, Google Contacts, Google Drive files or other unrelated Google account information.

GSS does not sell Google account information or use information obtained through Google Sign-In for unrelated advertising.

Other personal information required by GSS, including name, mobile number, location and social interests, is collected directly from the user through the GSS platform.

Google's authentication services are also subject to the Google Privacy Policy .

4. How We Use Personal Information

GSS processes relevant personal information for the following purposes:

• Creating and managing registered user accounts.
• Authenticating users and maintaining account security.
• Processing GSS membership applications.
• Maintaining official member profiles, identity cards and association records.
• Providing digital training, certificates and civic participation services.
• Supporting community networking, awareness campaigns and civic activities.
• Recording eligible participation, achievements and recognition where such services are offered.
• Responding to user enquiries, service requests and submitted reports.
• Communicating important service and account-related information.
• Maintaining platform security and improving website performance.
• Complying with applicable legal obligations.

Optional promotional or awareness communications may be provided through email, WhatsApp or other channels based on applicable communication preferences and consent requirements.

5. User Profiles and Public Visibility

Registered Users

Individuals may register for a GSS account without becoming official GSS members. Their registration information is not automatically made publicly visible.

Official GSS Members

GSS provides public digital profiles for official members. Depending on membership details and the information provided, such profiles may display:

• Member name and photograph
• City and district
• Membership identification and category
• Membership validity
• Professional background and affiliation
• Leadership designations and insignia
• Civic Scores and achievements
• Approved civic activities and photographs
• Official member identity images or documents published through GSS

Public profile information may be accessible to visitors without requiring an account.

Personal contact information, private account details and saved home GPS coordinates are not intended for publication through the standard public member profile.

6. Photographs and Uploaded Content

GSS may collect photographs for user accounts, official membership profiles, civic activities, campaigns and other platform services.

Personal account photographs and official membership photographs may be maintained separately.

Uploaded photographs and documents may be stored using WordPress media storage and linked to the relevant user, membership or activity record.

Photographs or information submitted for publication through public member profiles, campaigns or approved civic activities may be visible to other users or the public.

Users should provide photographs and personal information relating to other individuals only with appropriate permission or authority.

7. Location and GPS Information

GSS collects State, District and City information provided by users.

If the optional home GPS location feature is available, users may choose to record their home location through the My Profile section.

GPS coordinates are collected only when users actively request location capture and grant permission through their device or browser.

GPS access is not required for ordinary GSS account registration or Google Sign-In.

Saved home GPS coordinates are treated as private account information and are not automatically displayed on public profiles.

Users may request correction or removal of saved GPS information.

8. GSS Civic Participation and Recognition

GSS may provide digital tools through which citizens and members participate in civic activities, awareness initiatives, training programs and community projects.

Where activity tracking and recognition features are available, GSS may maintain participation records, activity photographs, completion details, Civic Scores, achievements and digital certificates.

Certain achievements and approved activity information may be displayed on official GSS member profiles.

GSS may review or moderate submissions before making them publicly visible.

9. Sharing of Information

GSS does not sell personal information to advertisers or unrelated third parties.

Information may be shared or processed in the following circumstances:

• When information is intentionally published through public member profiles or approved civic activities.
• With hosting, authentication, communication, payment, analytics or other technology providers supporting GSS services.
• With relevant collaborating organizations or institutions when necessary for a specific activity and appropriately authorized.
• When required by applicable law or valid legal process.
• When a user chooses to share information through a platform feature.

Personal information may be processed using service-provider infrastructure located in India or other jurisdictions, subject to applicable requirements.

10. Cookies and Analytics

GSS may use cookies and similar technologies for website functionality, login sessions, account authentication, security and website performance.

Analytics tools may be used to understand website usage and improve the platform.

11. Data Storage and Security

GSS primarily maintains user account and membership information through its WordPress website database, associated records and media storage.

We apply appropriate access controls and reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect personal information.

Access to account and membership editing functions is restricted according to applicable user permissions.

Although reasonable measures are taken, no online platform can guarantee absolute protection against every security risk.

12. Data Retention and Deletion

Personal information is retained for as long as reasonably necessary to provide relevant services, administer membership records, maintain security and meet applicable legal obligations.

Users may request correction or deletion of eligible personal information by contacting GSS.

Requests may require verification of account ownership.

Certain information may need to be retained where required for lawful recordkeeping, security, financial or administrative purposes.

13. User Rights and Choices

Subject to applicable law, users may request:

• Access to their personal information
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Updates to permitted profile details
• Removal of optional GPS information
• Deletion of eligible account information
• Withdrawal of consent for optional processing or communications
• Information about the handling of their personal data

Privacy requests can be submitted using the contact information below.

14. Children and Young Participants

Some GSS educational and civic awareness activities may involve students or information relating to children.

Where personal information relating to minors is processed, GSS will apply relevant consent and safeguarding requirements under applicable law.

Information concerning children or missing persons should be submitted only by appropriately authorized individuals.

15. Third-Party Services

GSS may provide links to government websites, educational resources, external service providers and social media platforms.

These external services operate under their own privacy policies and terms.

16. Changes to This Policy

Grannus Civic Solution Pvt. Ltd. may revise this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in GSS services, technology, data practices or applicable legal requirements.

Updated versions will be published on this page with the applicable effective date. Additional notice or consent will be provided where required.

17. Contact and Privacy Requests