Privacy policy

Effective Date: Active the moment you begin reading (but officially starts on 30-11-2025)!

This Privacy Policy explains how VTUSync (“VTUSync”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects your information when you use our mobile apps, websites, and other services (the “Services”). By using the Services, you agree to this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use VTUSync.​

VTUSync is based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India and is built for students and communities to view results, discover resources, and connect with each other. VTUSync is not an official VTU or college service.

1. Who is responsible for your data

The data controller for the VTUSync Services is:

  • Entity name: VTUSync
  • Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  • Contact email: support@vtusync.in

Use this contact if you have questions about this Policy or want to exercise your rights.​

2. What information VTUSync collects

VTUSync collects information in three main ways: what you give us, what we collect automatically, and what we receive from others.​

2.1 Information you give us

You provide information when you:

  • Sign up: name, email, phone number, password, profile photo, bio.
  • Set up your academic profile: college/university, branch, semester, USN/roll number, year of completion, and similar details.
  • Use features: posts, notes, comments, reactions, messages, gigs, events, job listings, and any files or media you upload.
  • Contact support: details you include in emails or in‑app support messages (including logs or screenshots you choose to share).

2.2 Information we collect automatically

When you use VTUSync, we automatically collect:

  • Device and app data: device model, OS version, app version, language, time zone, IP address, identifiers provided by your device or OS.
  • Usage data: screens you view, buttons you tap, features you use, session length, crash logs, and performance data.
  • Approximate location: inferred from your IP or device settings to show relevant colleges, events, or content (we do not need precise GPS for core features).​

2.3 Information from third parties

We may receive limited information from:

  • Sign‑in providers (e.g., Google): basic profile info if you choose that login method.
  • Payment providers/app stores: confirmation that a payment happened (like transaction ID and status), so we can unlock premium features or tickets.​

VTUSync tries to collect only what is necessary to run and improve the app.

3. How VTUSync uses your information

VTUSync uses your information to run the app, improve it, keep it safe, and comply with the law.​

3.1 To provide the Services

  • Create and manage your account.
  • Show your academic data, results, and analytics you choose to see.
  • Let you post notes, gigs, events, comments, and messages.
  • Connect you with colleges, groups, and peers.

3.2 To personalize your experience

  • Recommend content, gigs, events, or communities that are relevant to your college, branch, or interests.
  • Adjust the app experience (e.g., home feed, suggestions) based on how you use VTUSync.

3.3 To keep VTUSync safe

  • Detect and prevent fraud, spam, hacking, cheating, academic misconduct, harassment, and policy violations.
  • Protect other users and VTUSync from misuse and security incidents.​

3.4 To improve VTUSync

  • Understand what works in the app and what doesn’t.
  • Fix bugs, improve performance, and design new features.
  • Run analytics so we know which screens and flows users struggle with.

3.5 To communicate with you

  • Send service messages: security alerts, account notices, policy updates, and important app changes.
  • Send optional messages: feature tips, product updates, event or gig highlights (you can usually control some notifications in the app or OS settings).

3.6 Legal and compliance

  • Follow Indian laws (including the Digital Personal Data Protection framework) and other applicable rules.
  • Handle disputes, enforce our Terms, and respond to valid legal requests.​

We rely on different legal bases for this processing (for example, performance of our contract with you, legitimate interests, and legal obligations), depending on the specific purpose.​

4. How your information is shared

VTUSync does not sell your personal data. We share data in controlled ways so the app works and stays safe.​

4.1 With other users

  • Content you post (notes, posts, gigs, events, profile info, comments) is visible as the feature is designed (to your connections, your college community, or publicly), depending on the context and settings.
  • When you join chats or spaces, your name, profile, and messages are visible to other participants.

4.2 With service providers

We use third‑party vendors to help run VTUSync, such as:

  • Cloud hosting and storage.
  • Analytics and crash reporting tools.
  • Notification and email services.
  • Payment processors and app stores.

They process data only to provide services to VTUSync and are expected to follow appropriate security and privacy safeguards.​

4.3 For safety and legal reasons

We may share information when we believe it is reasonably necessary to:

  • Comply with the law, court orders, or legal requests.
  • Protect the rights, safety, or property of you, VTUSync, or others.
  • Investigate and respond to fraud, security issues, or suspected illegal activity (including serious academic misconduct or threats).​

4.4 Business changes

If VTUSync is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or asset sale, your data may be transferred as part of that deal, subject to this Privacy Policy or an equivalent policy.

4.5 Aggregated or de‑identified data

We may share aggregated statistics (for example, “X% of users are from Karnataka”) that do not identify individual users.

5. Students, minors, and academic data

VTUSync is a student‑centric app but not an official VTU or college system.​

  • Academic data in VTUSync is for your convenience and analysis. Always confirm official results and critical decisions through official university/college portals.
  • If you are a minor under applicable law, some features may be limited, and consent from a parent/guardian may be needed, following Indian privacy rules and future DPDP requirements.​
  • VTUSync does not use academic data to show targeted third‑party ads or sell your personal data.

If an institution formally partners with VTUSync, we may process some data as a processor for that institution under a separate agreement.

6. Cookies, SDKs, and tracking technologies

VTUSync uses technologies like cookies (on web), local storage, and SDKs (in the mobile app) to make the app work and to understand usage.​

These technologies help to:

  • Keep you logged in and remember your session.
  • Store preferences (such as theme, language, or college selection).
  • Measure how features perform and where users drop off.
  • Improve speed, stability, and user experience.

Where required by law, VTUSync will obtain consent for certain categories of tracking. You can control some of these tools via device settings, browser settings, or in‑app options (when available).

7. How long VTUSync keeps your data

VTUSync keeps your information only as long as needed for the purposes described above.​

In practice, this means:

  • While you have an active account, we keep data required to run your account and features.
  • Some logs and records are kept for a period even after account deletion for security, fraud prevention, and legal reasons.
  • When data is no longer needed, VTUSync will delete it or de‑identify it (so it can’t reasonably be linked back to you).

If you delete your account or request deletion, VTUSync will remove or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable time, except for information we must keep under law or for legitimate safety/defence reasons (for example, fraud logs or mandatory records).​

8. Your rights and choices

Under Indian law and other applicable privacy rules, you may have certain rights over your personal data.​

Depending on your situation, you may be able to:

  • Access: Ask what personal data VTUSync holds about you.
  • Correct: Fix inaccurate or incomplete information in your profile.
  • Delete: Request deletion of your account and certain related data (subject to necessary retention).
  • Limit or object: In some cases, object to or ask us to limit processing of your data.
  • Data portability: Request a copy of certain data in a structured, commonly used format, where required.
  • Withdraw consent: If VTUSync relies on consent for specific processing (like certain optional analytics or communications), you can withdraw that consent.

You can exercise some of these rights directly in the app (profile/edit/delete features, notification settings). For any requests, you can also email support@vtusync.in with enough details to identify your account.

VTUSync may ask you to verify your identity before acting on your request. Some rights may not apply in all contexts, especially if we must keep data for legal or security reasons.

You may also have a right to complain to a data protection authority. In India, this is expected to include the Data Protection Board of India under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act framework once fully implemented.​

9. How VTUSync protects your data

VTUSync uses technical and organizational measures to protect your data, such as:​

  • Encryption in transit where appropriate.
  • Access controls and authentication.
  • Logging and monitoring for unusual behavior.
  • Internal rules to limit access to personal data.

No system is perfectly secure. You can help by:

  • Keeping your device secure.
  • Using a strong password and not sharing it.
  • Contacting VTUSync quickly at support@vtusync.in if you suspect unauthorized access.

10. Where your data is processed

VTUSync is based in India. Your data may be stored and processed on servers in India and, if required for certain services, in other countries where our service providers or infrastructure are located.​

If data is transferred outside India, VTUSync will follow applicable Indian law on cross‑border data transfers and use appropriate safeguards to protect your information.

VTUSync may link to or integrate with third‑party websites, apps, or services (for example, external resources, job portals, payment gateways, or sign‑in providers). These third parties have their own privacy policies and practices, which are different from VTUSync’s.​

VTUSync is not responsible for how third parties handle your data. You should review their privacy policies before using those services.

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when we change features, change how we use data, or when the law changes.​

When we make changes:

  • We will update the “Last updated” date at the top.
  • We may show a notice in the app or on our website where appropriate.

If you keep using VTUSync after the updated Policy is posted, that means you accept the new version. If you do not agree, you should stop using the app and, if needed, request deletion of your account.

13. How to contact VTUSync

If you have any questions, feedback, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your data, you can contact: