Gnanamma

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 1st October 2025

1. Introduction

At Gnanamma, we are committed to protecting your privacy and respecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard the personal information you provide to us when you:

  • Use our Website www.gnanamma.com (“Website”),
  • Apply for or participate in our retreats or educational programmes,
  • Contact us by email, phone, or in person, or
  • Interact with our official content on social media or other platforms.

By providing us with your personal information, you agree that it will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.

2. Who We Are

Gnanamma is an organisation operating in the education, cultural immersion, and professional development sector. We are based in Tamilnadu, India, and work with global partners to deliver our retreats and educational programmes.

For the purposes of data protection laws, Gnanamma acts as the “data controller” of your personal information.

3. What Information We Collect

Depending on your interaction with us, we may collect the following categories of information:

  • Basic personal details: name, nationality, gender preference, date of birth.
  • Contact details: address, phone number, email address.
  • Application and participation information: educational and professional background, CV details, retreat preferences, dietary requirements, emergency contact information.
  • Special categories of data (sensitive information): health and accessibility needs, dietary restrictions, or cultural/religious requirements (only where necessary and with your explicit consent).
  • Website use data: IP address, browser type, device information, and browsing behaviour (via cookies and similar technologies).

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To manage applications and participation in retreats and educational programmes.
  • To communicate with you about retreats, events, or updates relevant to your interests.
  • To ensure health, safety, and accessibility during in-person programmes.
  • To improve our Website and services through analytics and feedback.
  • For administrative, legal, or regulatory compliance purposes.
  • To send you newsletters, event invitations, or marketing communications (if you have opted in).

We will not use your data for purposes incompatible with those described above without informing you and, where necessary, obtaining your consent.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We collect and use your personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

  • Consent – where you have given us permission (e.g., to receive marketing emails).
  • Contract – where processing is necessary to manage your application or provide a retreat/service you have requested.
  • Legitimate interests – where processing helps us improve our services or communicate with you, provided these interests are not overridden by your rights.
  • Legal obligations – where we are required to comply with applicable laws or regulations.

6. How Long We Keep Your Information

  • We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Policy.
  • If you apply for or participate in a retreat, we may keep your details for up to two years after your last interaction.
  • Some information may be retained for longer if required by law or for our legitimate business interests (e.g., accounting, safety records).

7. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

  • Trusted service providers who support our Website, analytics, accommodation, transport, or event logistics.
  • Educational and professional partners where collaboration is required to deliver a programme you apply for.
  • Authorities or regulators when required by law.

Where we transfer your data outside your country (for example, to international partners), we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

8. Your Rights

You have the following rights under applicable data protection laws:

  • Right of access – to request a copy of the information we hold about you.
  • Right of rectification – to correct or update inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right of erasure – to request deletion of your data where legally allowed.
  • Right to restrict processing – to limit how we process your data.
  • Right to data portability – to receive a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Right to object – to withdraw consent or object to processing (e.g., marketing emails).

To exercise your rights, please click Contact us on our Website. We may request proof of identity before fulfilling your request.

9. Cookies

Our Website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and understand visitor behaviour. For details, please see our Cookie Policy.

10. Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. Significant changes may also be notified to you directly.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please click Contact us on our Website.