Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to House of Wisdom, a pioneering digital online eBook platform dedicated to serving the Chin community worldwide. As a ministry of the Institute of Chin Studies, a research hub for The Chin College, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services. Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account
• Subscribe to our membership plans
• Make a donation
• Purchase or download eBooks
• Contact us for support
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Participate in surveys or promotions

This information may include:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Account Information: Username, password, profile preferences
• Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Demographic Information: Country, language preferences, age range (optional)
• Communication Data: Messages, feedback, and correspondence with us

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activity:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked, eBooks accessed
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: See Section 6 for more details

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third-party services when you:

• Use social media login features
• Make payments through third-party processors (PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
• Access our services through partner organizations

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 To Provide and Maintain Our Services

• Create and manage your account
• Process membership subscriptions and payments
• Deliver eBooks and digital content
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send service-related notifications and updates

3.2 To Improve Our Services

• Analyze usage patterns and trends
• Develop new features and content
• Personalize your experience and recommendations
• Conduct research and analytics

3.3 To Communicate With You

• Send newsletters and educational content
• Share updates about new books and resources
• Inform you about events and community activities
• Request feedback and conduct surveys

3.4 For Marketing and Promotional Purposes

• Promote membership plans and special offers
• Share donation opportunities and impact stories
• Advertise new content and features (you can opt-out anytime)

3.5 For Security and Legal Compliance

• Protect against fraud and unauthorized access
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations and regulations
• Respond to legal requests and prevent harm

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal (for secure payment processing)
• Hosting Services: Cloud storage and website hosting providers
• Email Services: Email delivery and newsletter platforms
• Analytics Services: Google Analytics and similar tools

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.

4.2 Institute of Chin Studies and The Chin College

As a ministry of the Institute of Chin Studies, we may share information with our parent organization and The Chin College for:

• Research and educational purposes
• Improving services to the Chin community
• Administrative and operational needs

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
• Government or regulatory requests
• Protection of our rights and safety
• Investigation of fraud or security issues

4.4 Business Transfers

If House of Wisdom is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

4.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit permission to do so.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

5.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure Storage: Encrypted databases and secure servers
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal data by authorized personnel only
• Regular Audits: Security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Payment Security: PCI-DSS compliant payment processing

5.2 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• Keeping your password secure and confidential
• Logging out of your account after use on shared devices
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

6.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us improve your experience on our website.

6.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function (e.g., login, shopping cart)
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing to show relevant content and ads

6.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Block all cookies
• Accept only first-party cookies
• Delete existing cookies
• Receive notifications when cookies are set

Note: Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

6.4 Third-Party Tracking

We use third-party analytics services (like Google Analytics) that use cookies to collect usage data. These services have their own privacy policies.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

7.1 Access and Portability

• Request a copy of your personal data
• Download your data in a portable format
• Access your account information at any time

7.2 Correction and Update

• Update your profile information
• Correct inaccurate data
• Complete incomplete information

7.3 Deletion

• Request deletion of your account and data
• Note: Some information may be retained for legal or legitimate business purposes

7.4 Objection and Restriction

• Object to certain data processing activities
• Restrict how we use your data
• Opt-out of marketing communications

7.5 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@howisdom.org
• Through your account settings
• Contact form on our website

8. Children's Privacy

House of Wisdom is committed to protecting the privacy of children. Our services are designed for users aged 13 and older.

8.1 Age Requirements

• Users must be 13 years or older to create an account
• Children under 13 may use our services only with parental supervision
• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13

8.2 Parental Controls

• Parents can create accounts for their children
• Parents have access to their children's account information
• Parents can request deletion of their children's data

8.3 What to Do If We Collect Children's Data

If we discover that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately. If you believe we have collected such information, please contact us at privacy@howisdom.org.

9. International Data Transfers

House of Wisdom serves the global Chin community. Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own.

9.1 Data Transfer Safeguards

• We use secure servers and encryption
• We comply with applicable data protection laws
• We use standard contractual clauses for international transfers
• We ensure service providers meet adequate data protection standards

9.2 Your Consent

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your residence, including the United States, where our servers may be located.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.

10.1 How We Notify You

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Send email notifications for significant changes
• Display a prominent notice on our website
• Request your consent if required by law

10.2 Your Acceptance

Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: