BYOJ (“Platform”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of its Users (“you”, “your”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal data when you use byoj.in, in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.
This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions. By using BYOJ, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described here.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
- Registration details: Name, email address, mobile number, date of birth, gender, profile photo.
- Identity verification details: Government ID proof (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN, or other ID), where required for Reporter verification or payout processing.
- Content data: News reports, text, photos, videos, captions, and other material you upload.
- Payment/payout details: Bank account number, UPI ID, PAN, or other financial information necessary to process monetization earnings.
- Communications: Information you provide when contacting support, the Grievance Officer, or customer care.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device & log data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, crash logs.
- Location data: Approximate or precise location (with permission), especially relevant for tagging incident reports to a location.
- Usage data: Pages viewed, articles read, time spent (read/watch time used for monetization eligibility), follow/unfollow activity, likes, shares, comments.
- Cookies & tracking technologies: Used for login sessions, analytics, personalization, and advertising (see Clause 6).
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- Information from social media or third-party login providers (e.g., Google/Facebook login), if you choose to register that way.
- Information from advertising partners and analytics providers.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal data to:
- Create and manage your account and Reporter profile.
- Verify your identity and prevent fake accounts/fraudulent registrations.
- Publish, refine (via AI), and distribute your Content on the Platform.
- Calculate monetization eligibility (views, read/watch time) and process payouts.
- Personalize your content feed and recommend Reporters to follow.
- Detect and prevent fake news, fraud, fake engagement, and policy violations.
- Serve advertisements and sponsored content, including through third-party ad networks.
- Communicate with you regarding updates, policy changes, or account issues.
- Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government/law-enforcement requests.
- Investigate and respond to grievances, complaints, or takedown requests.
3. AI Processing of Content
3.1 Content you submit may be processed through BYOJ's AI systems for refinement (grammar, formatting, headline generation) and for automated checks on potentially false, misleading, or policy-violating content.
3.2 Personal data contained within your Content (e.g., faces in photos/videos, names mentioned in reports) may be processed as part of this automated review. We take reasonable technical measures to secure this processing but cannot guarantee absolute error-free automated analysis.
4. Legal Basis & Consent
4.1 We process your personal data based on:
- Your consent, given at the time of registration and content upload;
- Legitimate use necessary to provide Platform services (e.g., processing payouts, displaying content);
- Legal obligation, where disclosure is required under Indian law.
4.2 You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us (Clause 12), though this may result in suspension of your account or inability to use certain features (e.g., monetization, which requires KYC/payment data).
5. Sharing & Disclosure of Information
We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with:
5.1 Service providers — cloud hosting, payment processors, analytics providers, AI/content-moderation vendors — strictly for providing Platform functions, under confidentiality obligations.
5.2 Advertisers & ad networks — limited, often aggregated or pseudonymized data (e.g., interests, demographics) to serve relevant ads and sponsored content.
5.3 Law enforcement & government authorities — where required under the IT Act, 2000, IT Rules 2021, a valid court order, or a lawful government request — including in connection with fake news, defamation, or criminal investigations relating to your Content.
5.4 Other Users — your public profile, published Content, follower/following count, and engagement metrics are visible to other Users and the public, since BYOJ is a public news-publishing platform.
5.5 Business transfers — in case of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred, subject to equivalent privacy protections.
6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
6.1 BYOJ uses cookies and similar technologies for:
- Authentication and session management;
- Analytics (understanding usage patterns, read/watch time tracking for monetization);
- Advertising personalization.
6.2 You may control cookie preferences through your browser settings; disabling cookies may affect certain Platform features, including accurate monetization tracking.
7. Data Storage & Security
7.1 We implement reasonable security practices and procedures, including encryption, access controls, and secure servers, in line with the IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules, 2011, to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
7.2 Data may be stored on servers located in India or with cloud service providers that may process data outside India, subject to safeguards consistent with the DPDP Act, 2023.
7.3 No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Data Retention
8.1 We retain personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
8.2 Content removed for violating our Terms (e.g., fake news) and associated metadata may be retained for a reasonable period for legal, compliance, audit, or grievance-resolution purposes, even after account deletion.
8.3 KYC and payout-related financial records may be retained as required under applicable tax and financial regulations.
9. Your Rights (Under the DPDP Act, 2023)
As a Data Principal, you have the right to:
- Access — request a summary of personal data we hold about you and the processing activities undertaken.
- Correction & Updating — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
- Erasure — request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal/contractual retention requirements (e.g., financial records, pending grievance investigations).
- Withdraw Consent — at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
- Grievance Redressal — lodge a complaint with our Grievance Officer/Data Protection Officer, and subsequently with the Data Protection Board of India, if unresolved.
- Nominate — nominate another individual to exercise these rights on your behalf in the event of death or incapacity.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Clause 12.
10. Children's Privacy
10.1 BYOJ is not intended for use by individuals under 18 without parental/guardian consent. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without verifiable parental consent.
10.2 If we become aware that a minor has registered without appropriate consent, we reserve the right to suspend the account and delete associated data.
11. Third-Party Links & Sponsored Content
Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or sponsored/advertising content. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of such third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.
12. Grievance Officer / Data Protection Contact
In accordance with the IT Rules, 2021 and the DPDP Act, 2023:
Grievance Officer / Data Protection Officer Name: Arib Umar
Email: aribumar2328@gmail.com
Complaints will be acknowledged within 24 hours and resolved within the statutory timeline prescribed under applicable law.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Material changes will be notified via the Platform or registered email. Continued use of BYOJ after such updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.
14. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of India, and any disputes arising hereunder shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at New Delhi, India.
15. Contact Us
For privacy-related questions, requests, or complaints:
Email: byoj.media@gmail.com