At HEARt Organisation, we believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, fairness and compassion. This principle extends to the way we receive, use and protect personal information entrusted to us by our donors, supporters, volunteers, beneficiaries, partners, website visitors and other stakeholders.
Our approach to personal data is guided by our core values of Honesty, Humanity, Integrity and Transparency, and by our commitment to responsible service, accountability, dignity and the well-being of the communities we serve.
This Privacy & Personal Data Protection Policy explains how HEARt Organisation collects, uses, stores, protects and, where necessary, shares personal information.
- Who We Are
HEARt Organisation (Health Education And Rehabilitation Organisation) is a development organisation working in the areas of health, education, rehabilitation, elderly care, livelihood development, skill training and community empowerment.
For the purposes of applicable data protection law, HEARt Organisation may act as a Data Fiduciary in relation to personal data where it determines the purpose and means of processing such information.
- Information We May Collect
Depending on how you interact with HEARt Organisation, we may collect information such as:
- Name and contact details, including postal address, email address and telephone/mobile number;
- Information provided when you make an enquiry, subscribe to communications, register as a volunteer, participate in an event or express interest in our programmes;
- Information provided by donors in connection with donations, including donation amount, purpose/designation of the donation and transaction-related information;
- Information necessary to issue donation receipts, acknowledgements or other statutory documentation;
- Communication preferences and responses to our communications;
- Information provided through forms, applications, registrations or other interactions with HEARt Organisation;
- Information generated through your use of our website, such as technical information, device information, IP address and website usage information, where applicable and subject to applicable law.
HEARt Organisation seeks to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
- Why We Use Personal Information
We may use personal information to:
- Respond to enquiries and requests;
- Process and acknowledge donations;
- Issue receipts and meet applicable accounting, tax, regulatory and statutory requirements;
- Communicate with donors, supporters, volunteers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders;
- Send programme updates, annual reports, impact reports and other communications where permitted;
- Administer volunteer, event, training or programme registrations;
- Improve our programmes, services, website and stakeholder experience;
- Maintain appropriate organisational, financial and legal records;
- Prevent fraud, misuse or unauthorised activity; and
- Comply with applicable laws and lawful requests from competent authorities.
We will not use personal information for purposes that are incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected, except where permitted or required by applicable law.
- Consent and Choice
Where consent is required for processing personal data, HEARt Organisation will seek consent in an informed and appropriate manner.
Where you have provided consent for receiving newsletters or other voluntary communications, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing that has already taken place lawfully or processing that HEARt Organisation is otherwise permitted or required to undertake under applicable law.
You may unsubscribe from voluntary email communications by using the unsubscribe option provided in the communication or by contacting us directly.
- Donor Privacy
HEARt Organisation deeply values the trust placed in us by our donors.
Personal information relating to donors, including their name, contact information, donation details and donation history, will be handled responsibly and only for legitimate organisational, administrative, statutory or communication purposes.
HEARt Organisation does not sell, rent or trade donor personal information.
Donor information may, however, be shared with authorised service providers or other parties where reasonably necessary to:
- Process donations or payments;
- Issue receipts or meet statutory requirements;
- Maintain financial and organisational records;
- Deliver a programme or community initiative connected with a designated contribution, where appropriate;
- Provide services to HEARt Organisation under appropriate confidentiality and data protection obligations; or
- Comply with applicable law or a lawful direction of a competent authority.
Where a donor has designated a contribution for a specific programme or community initiative, HEARt Organisation may need to share limited information with the relevant programme or implementation partner where reasonably necessary for administration or delivery of the contribution, subject to applicable law and appropriate safeguards.
- Communications with Supporters
HEARt Organisation may communicate with donors, supporters, volunteers and other stakeholders about our work, programmes, impact, events, annual reports and opportunities to engage with the organisation.
We respect an individual’s choice regarding such communications.
If you prefer to receive fewer communications or no voluntary communications from us, you may contact us or use the unsubscribe facility provided in our communications.
We will make reasonable efforts to honour such requests promptly.
- Sharing of Personal Information
HEARt Organisation does not sell or commercially trade personal information.
We may disclose personal information only where reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including to:
- Authorised employees and representatives of HEARt Organisation who require the information for their work;
- Service providers who support our operations, such as technology, communications, payment, accounting or other administrative service providers;
- Programme or community partners where such sharing is necessary for a stated purpose and permitted by applicable law;
- Auditors, professional advisers or other authorised representatives;
- Government, regulatory or law-enforcement authorities where disclosure is required or permitted by law; or
- Other parties where you have provided appropriate consent or where otherwise permitted by applicable law.
HEARt Organisation expects persons and organisations handling personal information on its behalf to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security safeguards.
- Data Security
HEARt Organisation takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.
Access to personal information is limited to those who have a legitimate organisational need to access it.
However, no method of transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. HEARt Organisation will respond appropriately to personal data incidents in accordance with applicable law and its internal procedures.
- Data Retention
HEARt Organisation retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or for as long as required to meet applicable legal, regulatory, accounting, audit or organisational requirements.
When personal information is no longer required, HEARt Organisation will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy or anonymise it, as appropriate.
- Your Rights
Subject to applicable law and any limitations prescribed by law, individuals may have rights relating to their personal information, including the right to:
- Request information about the personal data held or processed by HEARt Organisation;
- Request correction or updating of inaccurate or incomplete information;
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
- Request deletion or cessation of processing where applicable;
- Register a grievance regarding the processing of personal information; and
- Exercise other rights available under applicable data protection law.
Requests may be made by contacting HEARt Organisation using the details provided below.
HEARt Organisation may need to verify a request before acting on it, particularly where the request involves access to personal information.
- Children and Young Persons
HEARt Organisation works with children and young people through its education, health, training and community programmes.
Where personal information relating to a child is collected, HEARt Organisation will handle such information with particular care and in accordance with applicable law, including requirements relating to consent and the protection of children’s personal data.
HEARt Organisation will not knowingly use children’s personal information for purposes that are inconsistent with their dignity, safety or welfare.
- Dignity and Responsible Use of Information
HEARt Organisation’s commitment to privacy extends beyond legal compliance.
In our work with communities, particularly children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, patients, economically vulnerable communities and other vulnerable groups, we recognise that personal information may reveal aspects of an individual’s identity, circumstances, health, livelihood or family life.
Such information will therefore be handled with sensitivity, dignity and restraint.
HEARt Organisation will seek to avoid unnecessary collection, disclosure or public identification of individuals where doing so could compromise their dignity, safety or well-being.
This reflects our commitment to Humanity, Integrity and responsible service.
- Website and Digital Technologies
When you visit the HEARt Organisation website, certain technical information may be collected automatically by the website or by third-party services used to operate, secure, analyse or improve the website.
Where cookies or similar technologies are used, HEARt Organisation will provide appropriate information and choices in accordance with applicable law.
- Third-Party Websites and Services
The HEARt Organisation website may contain links to websites, platforms or services operated by third parties.
This Policy applies to information processed by HEARt Organisation. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites or services.
We encourage users to review the privacy policies of such third parties before providing personal information to them.
- Transparency and Accountability
HEARt Organisation believes that responsible use of personal information is an essential part of good governance.
Our approach is guided by the principles of:
Honesty:
Being truthful and transparent about what information we collect and why.
Humanity:
Treating personal information with compassion, dignity and respect.
Integrity:
Handling information responsibly, ethically and only for legitimate organisational purposes.
Transparency:
Being open and accountable about our practices relating to personal information.
These principles complement HEARt Organisation’s broader commitment “To Build Humanity and a Harmonious Society.”
- Changes to This Policy
HEARt Organisation may periodically update this Policy to reflect changes in its practices, technology, programmes or applicable laws and regulations.
The updated version will be published on the HEARt Organisation website with the revised effective or update date.
- Contact and Grievances
If you have questions about this Policy, wish to exercise an applicable data protection right, change your communication preferences, or raise a concern regarding the use of your personal information, please contact:
HEARt Organisation
Health Education And Rehabilitation (HEARt) Organisation
Mysuru, Karnataka, India
Website: www.heartorganisation.org
Email: info@heartorganisation.org
HEARt Organisation will endeavour to address requests and grievances within the timelines prescribed by applicable law.
HEARt Organisation
To Build Humanity and a Harmonious Society
Honesty • Humanity • Integrity • Transparency