Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 21, 2025

This Privacy Policy outlines how the Urban Flood Early Warning System (UFEWS), operated by UFMC, Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur, collects, uses, stores, and protects your information through its services, including the Varuna mobile application and related platforms. By accessing or using these services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. Varuna is the official mobile application of the Urban Flood Early Warning System (UFEWS) developed for Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur by Canarys Automations Limited.

1. Definitions

• "Application" refers to the Varuna app developed for urban flood alerting and civic interaction.
• "Company", "We", "Us", "Our" means UFMC, Lower Ground, Nagar Nigam Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
• "Service" means all digital platforms and software tools offered under UFEWS.
• "User", "You" refers to any individual accessing or using the Service.
• "Personal Data" means any data that identifies or can be used to identify an individual.
• "Usage Data" refers to data generated automatically through the use of the Service.
• "Device" refers to any digital device used to access the Service.

2. Data We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following details, either directly from you or through the Varuna application:

• Name, Email Address, Phone Number
• Location Information (with your consent)
• Residential Address, Pin Code
• Date of Birth (if required)
• Uploaded photos or files during grievance / incident reporting

3. How We Use Your Information

• To provide real-time flood alerts and civic updates
• To maintain and enhance system functionality and safety
• To manage your account and preferences
• To deliver notifications about alerts, updates, or emergencies
• To respond to your service requests or grievances
• To analyse patterns and improve system performance
• To comply with legal obligations

We may contact you through email, SMS, push notifications, or calls where appropriate.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

• With Service Providers assisting in delivery or support functions
• With Government Agencies during emergencies or as legally required
• For Mergers/Transitions of service responsibilities to another public agency or partner
• With Consent, if you opt-in to specific data-sharing features (e.g., public complaint visibility)

We do not sell or trade your personal information.

5. Data Retention

• Personal Data is retained as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy.
• Usage Data may be kept longer for analytical and security purposes.
• If legally required, data may be stored beyond your usage period to comply with retention laws.

6. Data Transfers

Your information may be stored or processed outside your jurisdiction. We ensure appropriate technical and organizational safeguards are in place to protect your data during such transfers.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access, correct, or update your personal data
• Request deletion of your data, unless restricted by legal obligation
• Withdraw consent for location or camera access from your device settings
• Lodge a complaint with a regulatory authority regarding misuse

You may manage or delete your information through the app or by contacting us directly.

8. Data Security

We employ strong security measures, including:

• Encrypted communications
• Role-based access controls (RBAC)
• Secure cloud storage and periodic audits

Despite best efforts, no system is fully immune to risks; we encourage you to maintain security hygiene on your own devices.

9. Children’s Privacy

The UFEWS Service is not intended for users under 13 years of age. If we become aware of any data collected from a child without parental consent, it will be removed immediately.

10. Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to other websites or platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party services. Please review their policies separately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When changes are made, we will:

• Update the "Effective Date"
• Notify users via the app or website
• Highlight material changes prominently

Your continued use of the Service constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

12. Contact Information