Privacy Policy
American Progressive Telugu Association is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our members and website visitors.
Effective Date: January 1, 2024
Last Updated: January 15, 2024
This Privacy Policy describes how the American Progressive Telugu Association ("APTA," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, maintains, and protects information collected from members, donors, volunteers, and visitors (collectively, "you" or "users") of our website at https://ap-ta.org and related services.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
When you register for membership, donate, register for events, or contact us, we may collect personal information including your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, date of birth, and family member details. For membership and donation processing, we may also collect payment-related information through our secure third-party payment processor.
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information including your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time spent on pages, and other standard web analytics data. This information is collected through cookies and similar technologies.
Voluntarily Provided Information
You may voluntarily provide additional information when using our services, such as job board postings, matrimonial profiles, event registrations, scholarship applications, volunteer sign-ups, and community forum contributions.
How We Use Your Information
Service Delivery
We use your personal information to: process memberships and donations; register you for events and programs; administer scholarship applications through ASEP; facilitate medical camp registrations; manage matrimonial and job board profiles; send newsletters, event announcements, and organizational updates; and respond to your inquiries and support requests.
Organizational Operations
We may use aggregated and anonymized data for: understanding community demographics and needs; improving our programs and services; generating reports for our Board of Directors and membership; fulfilling our reporting obligations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; and conducting internal research and analytics to better serve the Telugu-American community.
Communications
With your consent, we may send you email communications about upcoming events, program updates, fundraising campaigns, and community news. You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or contacting us directly.
Data Protection & Security
Security Measures
APTA implements industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest, secure access controls, regular security audits, and employee training on data protection practices. We maintain our website and member databases on secure, reputable hosting platforms.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your membership is active or as needed to provide you services. We will also retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and for legitimate organizational purposes. Donation records are retained in accordance with IRS requirements for tax-exempt organizations.
Data Access and Correction
You have the right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal information at any time. You may do so by logging into your member account, or by contacting us at contact@ap-ta.org. We will respond to your request within thirty (30) days.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Types of Cookies
Our website uses the following types of cookies: (a) Essential cookies that are necessary for the website to function properly, including authentication and session management; (b) Analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors interact with our website, so we can improve the user experience; (c) Preference cookies that remember your settings and choices.
Managing Cookies
You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our website, including member login and event registration. Most web browsers allow you to manage cookie preferences through their settings panels.
Third-Party Services
Payment Processing
APTA uses Zeffy, a secure third-party payment platform, to process donations and membership payments. When you make a payment, your financial information is collected and processed directly by Zeffy in accordance with their privacy policy and PCI-DSS compliance standards. APTA does not store your credit card or bank account information on our servers.
Database and Authentication
We use Supabase as our database and authentication provider. Supabase employs enterprise-grade security measures including row-level security, encrypted data storage, and secure authentication protocols. Your account credentials are securely managed through Supabase's authentication system.
Other Third-Party Services
We may use additional third-party services for email delivery, analytics, and website functionality. These services have access to your personal information only to perform specific tasks on our behalf and are obligated to protect your data in accordance with their respective privacy policies and applicable data protection laws.
Member Data & Sharing
Data Sharing Policy
APTA does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances: (a) With your explicit consent; (b) With service providers who assist in operating our website and programs, subject to confidentiality obligations; (c) When required by law, legal process, or government request; (d) To protect the rights, property, or safety of APTA, our members, or the public.
Chapter Data
Regional chapter leaders may have access to member contact information for their respective regions solely for the purpose of facilitating local events and communications. Chapter leaders are bound by confidentiality obligations and may not use member data for any purpose outside of APTA activities.
Children's Privacy
Age Restrictions
Our website and services are not directed to children under the age of thirteen (13). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to promptly delete that information. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided us with personal information should contact us at contact@ap-ta.org.
Minor Members
For student members and youth program participants between the ages of 13 and 17, we require parental or guardian consent before collecting personal information. Youth program registrations, including NextGEN and ASEP applications, must include a parent or guardian's contact information and consent.
Contact Information
Privacy Inquiries
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Contact Details
American Progressive Telugu Association 15911 E Boxthorn St, Wichita, KS 67228 Email: contact@ap-ta.org Phone: 240-242-7829 Website: https://ap-ta.org
Changes to This Policy
APTA reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. When we make material changes, we will notify members via email and post a notice on our website. The updated policy will include a revised "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our website and services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.