Privacy Policy

Introduction

Turgut, a proprietorship owned by Muhammed Shihabudeen Labba, values your privacy and is committed to protecting personal data collected through ConnectedU ("Platform"), including the website https://connectedu.in and the mobile app.

This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights under applicable Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA).

Who We Are

• Business Name: Turgut (Proprietorship)
• Owner: Muhammed Shihabudeen Labba
• GSTIN: 32AHDPL2727R1Z3
• Registered Address: 10/179, Valanjavazhy, Alappuzha, Alappuzha, Kerala, 688005
• Contact Email: hello@connectedu.in
• Contact Phone: +919037138030

Data We Collect

We collect personal and non-personal data to provide, improve, and secure the Platform. This may include:

Personal Data

• Student information: name, date of birth, enrollment number, class/section, academic records
• Teacher information: name, contact details, qualifications, attendance
• Parent/guardian information: name, email, phone, relationship with student
• Location Data: Precise (GPS) and approximate (network-based) location coordinates when using features such as live school bus tracking, transport monitoring, and location-verified attendance check-ins
• Login credentials: username, password
• Payment details (for subscription or module fees)

Non-Personal Data

• Device information (type, OS, IP address)
• Usage data (pages visited, features used, app activity)
• Cookies and analytics data (optional)

Location Data & Tracking Services

ConnectedU accesses, collects, and processes location data to deliver essential school safety, transport management, and administrative services. This section details how location data is collected, used, and protected:

1. Types of Location Data Collected

• Precise Location: Exact GPS coordinates collected from your mobile device when using real-time navigation or vehicle tracking features.
• Approximate Location: Network-based location information derived from cellular towers or Wi-Fi signals to determine approximate device position.

2. Purpose of Location Data Collection

• Live School Bus Tracking: To enable parents and school administrators to view the real-time location and movement of school buses during morning pickup and afternoon drop-off routes.
• Driver & Transport Monitoring: To track active bus routes, monitor schedule adherence, calculate estimated arrival times (ETA), and alert parents when the bus approaches designated stops.
• Location-Verified Attendance: To verify staff, teacher, or driver presence and check-in/check-out timestamps within authorized school premises or bus route stops.

3. Foreground and Background Location Collection

• Foreground Location Access: Location data is accessed when the mobile app is actively open and in use on your device screen.
• Background Location Access: For authorized school transport drivers and fleet managers, location data may be accessed in the background (even when the app is closed, minimized, or the screen is locked) exclusively while a school bus route or transit trip is actively in progress. This continuous background tracking is required to maintain live bus location updates for safety monitoring and parent notifications.
• Background location access is strictly inactive when a trip is not active and can be managed via device permissions.

4. User Control & Permissions

• Location permission prompts are requested within the app prior to accessing location features.
• You can grant, modify, or revoke location access at any time through your device settings (Settings > Apps > ConnectedU > Permissions > Location).
• Please note that denying location permissions will disable real-time bus tracking and location-based check-in features.

5. Storage, Security & Sharing

• Location data is transmitted securely using industry-standard SSL/TLS encryption.
• Location coordinates are stored only for as long as necessary to complete transit tracking and maintain historical route logs for school administration.
• We do not sell, trade, or rent location data to third parties, nor do we use location data for targeted advertising or user profiling.

Children's Data

• The Platform is used by minors under 18 under supervision of parents/guardians and educational institutions.
• Personal data of minors is collected only with explicit consent from parents/guardians or the school acting on their behalf.
• Parents/guardians have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their child's data at any time.

How We Use Your Data

We use collected data to:

• Provide and operate the Platform services for schools, teachers, students, and parents
• Deliver real-time school bus tracking, route alerts, and location-verified safety services
• Manage accounts, subscriptions, and payments
• Communicate important updates, notices, or announcements
• Analyze usage patterns to improve features and performance
• Maintain security, prevent fraud, and comply with legal obligations

Data Sharing

We do not sell or rent personal data. We may share data only in these cases:

• With schools or authorized administrators for academic and administrative purposes
• With service providers (e.g., cloud hosting, SMS gateways, payment processors) under strict contractual obligations
• To comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests by government authorities

Data Retention

• Personal data is retained only as long as necessary to provide services or comply with legal obligations.
• Schools may request data export or deletion at any time.
• Usage and non-personal data may be retained for analytics and improvement purposes.

Data Security

• We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect data.
• Measures include: encryption (in transit and at rest), secure authentication, access control, periodic security audits, and regular backups.
• While we strive to protect data, no system is 100% secure; users must follow safe practices for accounts and devices.

Your Rights

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, users have the right to:

• Access personal data
• Correct or update personal data
• Request deletion of personal data
• Withdraw consent for data processing
• Lodge complaints with the Data Protection Officer (DPO) or relevant authority

Cookies and Tracking

• We use cookies and similar technologies for analytics, performance, and user experience.
• You can manage cookie preferences through your browser or app settings.

Third-Party Services

• The Platform may use third-party services (e.g., AWS, Firebase, SMS gateways, payment gateways).
• Third parties are bound by data protection agreements and use data only for service purposes.
• We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties; users should review their policies separately.

Data Breach Notification

• In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and the Data Protection Board as required by law.
• We maintain an internal incident response plan to mitigate risks.

Cross-Border Data Transfer

• Some data may be stored or processed on servers outside India (e.g., cloud hosting).
• We ensure such transfers comply with DPDPA cross-border data rules and maintain adequate safeguards.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

• We may update this Privacy Policy periodically.
• Users will be notified of material changes via the Platform or email.
• Continued use of the Platform after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

• This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of India.
• Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Kerala, preferably Ernakulam.

Contact Us

For privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests: