vedScans ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services. By using vedScans, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information
When you create an account, we may collect:
- Email address
- Username/display name
- Password (encrypted)
- Profile information you choose to provide
1.2 Creator Information
If you register as a creator, we may additionally collect information about your uploaded content, including metadata, upload timestamps, and content descriptions.
1.3 Automatically Collected Information
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring website
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain our services
- Process account registration and authentication
- Enable content uploads and management for creators
- Personalize your experience (bookmarks, reading history)
- Communicate with you about updates, security, or support
- Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
- Comply with legal obligations
- Enforce our Terms of Service
3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process your data based on:
- Consent: When you create an account or accept cookies
- Contract: To provide services you requested
- Legitimate Interests: To improve our services and prevent fraud
- Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with:
- Service Providers: Third-party services that help us operate (e.g., Cloudinary for image hosting, MongoDB for database services, email providers for notifications)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
- Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of vedScans, our users, or others
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
5. Your Rights
5.1 GDPR Rights (EEA Users)
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
- Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data
- Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Objection: Object to certain types of processing
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time
5.2 CCPA Rights (California Residents)
- Know: Request disclosure of data collected about you
- Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt-Out: Opt out of sale of personal information (we do not sell data)
- Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate for exercising your rights
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. Upon account deletion, we will delete or anonymize your data within 30 days, except where retention is required for legal, accounting, or security purposes.
7. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures including encryption, secure authentication (JWT tokens, HTTP-only cookies), and regular security audits. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. For detailed information about our cookie practices, please see our Cookie Policy.
9. Children's Privacy
vedScans is not intended for children under 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately.
10. International Data Transfers
Your data may be processed in countries outside your residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including standard contractual clauses where required.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of vedScans after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Contact Us
For privacy-related inquiries or to exercise your rights, please contact us at: Contact Page