Chola Chess, operated by Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited, places significant value on the trust users place in the platform and is committed to handling user data responsibly and securely. Recognizing the importance of privacy, Chola Chess ensures the protection of user information and guarantees secure interactions on its website, referred to as the Platform.

The Privacy Policy of Chola Chess applies to all users, whether they are visiting as guests or accessing the Platform as registered users. This policy outlines the practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, storage, retention, and other processing of user data. The purpose of the policy is to help users understand how their data is handled and the rights they possess under applicable data protection laws.

The policy is designed to be reader-friendly, minimizing legal jargon as much as possible.

By accessing or using the Platform, users consent to the practices described in the Privacy Policy.

For additional questions or further information about the Privacy Policy, users are encouraged to contact Chola Chess.

This Privacy Policy pertains solely to online activities and is valid for visitors to the website concerning the information they share and/or collect in Pro Chess Training. It does not apply to any information collected offline or through channels other than the website. The Privacy Policy was created with the assistance of the Privacy Policy Generator and the Free Privacy Policy Generator.

Chola Chess may collect various types of user data, including:

1. Identification Information: Name, date of birth, residential or correspondence address, education, email address, and contact number provided during registration or communication.
2. Account Credentials: Chosen username and password, securely stored and encrypted.
3. Demographic Information: Date of birth and education, if voluntarily provided for personalized content recommendations.
4. Usage Data: Technical information such as IP address, browser type, device type, time zone settings, and user interaction data while navigating the Platform.
5. Payment and Transaction Details: Billing address, transaction ID, payment method, and the last four digits of credit/debit cards when purchasing subscriptions or services. Payment processing is securely handled by third-party payment gateways, and full payment card information is not stored on Chola Chess's servers.

Chola Chess collects and processes user data for several purposes:

1. Account Creation and Management :  Registering users, creating and maintaining user profiles, authenticating logins, and managing account preferences.
2. Personalized Learning Experience : Delivering customized chess lessons, training modules, and content recommendations based on skill level, learning progress, and usage patterns.
3. Participation in Platform Activities: Facilitating engagement in review assignments, practice matches, and online tournaments, including tracking performance and issuing participation certificates or rewards.
4. Service Communication : Sending important service updates, administrative messages, reminders, and responding to customer support queries or feedback.
5. Analytics and Platform Improvement : Analyzing user behavior and engagement metrics to improve services, enhance content delivery, resolve technical issues, and optimize user experience.
6. Transaction Processing : Processing payments for subscriptions, events, or premium content, including collecting necessary billing details and transaction identifiers and ensuring secure payment through trusted gateways.
7. Legal Compliance and Security : Complying with applicable laws, detecting and preventing fraud, enforcing Terms and Conditions, and responding to lawful requests from authorities or regulators.
8. User Feedback and Research : Conducting surveys or feedback sessions to understand user satisfaction and guide product development.

Chola Chess processes user data based on the following grounds and legal bases:

1. Consent Consent: The primary legal basis for processing user data is the user's free, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent, provided during registration, enrollment in training programs, participation in tournaments, subscription to communications, or access to personalized services. Consent is obtained through clear opt-in mechanisms, and users may withdraw their consent at any time by accessing account settings or contacting the Grievance Redressal Officer.
2. Legitimate Uses : In certain cases, user data may be processed without obtaining consent, where such processing qualifies as a “legitimate use,” including:
   1. Voluntary provision of user data to avail specific services
   2. Service-related communication for essential administrative messages, confirmations, or alerts.
   3. Compliance with law or court orders.
   4. Prevention of fraud, security breaches, or misuse of services.

User data is not processed beyond the scope of the original purpose without obtaining consent, unless it falls under the permitted categories of legitimate use.

Users are entitled to a set of data protection rights, which empower them to have control over their data and ensure that it is processed in a transparent, fair, and accountable manner:

1. Right to Acces : Users have the right to request a summary or copy of the data that Chola Chess holds about them, including the categories of data collected, the purposes of processing, and any third parties with whom the data may have been shared.
2. Right to Rectification : Users may request the correction of inaccurate or misleading data or the completion of incomplete data stored in their account. Users may also update their data directly through their profile settings where applicable.
3. Right to Erasure : Users have the right to request the deletion of their data from Chola Chess's systems when the data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, consent is withdrawn, or the processing is unlawful or otherwise not in compliance with applicable laws.
4. Right to Withdraw Consent : Where the processing of user data is based on consent, users have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before the withdrawal. Certain services may become unavailable if consent is withdrawn.
5. Right to Grievance Redressal l: Users have the right to raise a complaint if they believe that their data has been processed in a manner not in compliance with applicable laws. Chola Chess is committed to addressing concerns fairly and promptly.
6. Right to Nominate : Users have the right to nominate another individual who can exercise their rights on their behalf in the event of their incapacity or death. Proper documentation may be required to verify the nomination before acting on such requests.

User data is stored on secure servers hosted in India with reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect data against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. Data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required under applicable laws and regulations. Examples include:

• User account information is retained for the duration of the user’s active engagement with the Platform and deleted or anonymized upon account closure, unless retention is required by law.
• Activity and usage data may be retained for analytical, operational, or educational improvement purposes.
• Payment and billing records are retained in accordance with tax and financial compliance requirements.
• Consent records are maintained to demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, including timestamps, methods of consent, and any withdrawal history.

Chola Chess adheres to the principle of data minimization, collecting only the data necessary for clearly defined purposes. When data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymized using industry-accepted methods. Upon request, data will be deleted or anonymized so that it no longer identifies the user, except in circumstances where legal retention is mandated.

Chola Chess may share user data with trusted third parties in limited situations necessary for providing services, ensuring compliance with the law, or improving user experience. Such sharing is done in accordance with applicable laws and only for legitimate purposes:

1. Service Providers s: User data may be shared with third-party service providers who support Chola Chess in delivering services, including payment gateways, cloud hosting and storage providers, email and communication service providers, and analytics providers. These providers are given access to the minimum data necessary to perform their functions and are contractually obligated to handle data securely and in compliance with the Privacy Policy and applicable laws.
2. Legal and Regulatory Requirements : User data may be disclosed if required by law, regulation, legal process, or government request, including situations where disclosure is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, respond to court orders, or protect the rights, property, or safety of Chola Chess, users, or others.
3. With Your Consent : In some cases, explicit permission may be sought to share user data with third parties for purposes not covered above, with clear information provided about the purpose.

Chola Chess ensures that all third parties with whom data is shared maintain adequate security standards and handle user data in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

Chola Chess uses data collection devices such as “cookies” on certain pages of the Platform to analyze web page flow, enhance user experience, analyze usage patterns, personalize content, and promote safety and trust. Cookies are small files placed on the hard drive to assist in providing better services. Most cookies are "session cookies," which are automatically deleted from the hard drive at the end of a session.

Users are free to decline cookies if their browser permits, although doing so may prevent access to certain features of the Platform, and users may be required to re-enter their passwords more frequently during a session. Cookie-related and other tracking information is retained as necessary to resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, and provide customer support to the extent permitted by law.

Chola Chess strives to ensure the security, integrity, and privacy of user information and to protect information against unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Internal reviews of data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures are conducted, including appropriate encryption and physical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where user information is stored.

A comprehensive and robust information and cybersecurity policy, along with information technology and other mechanisms by applicable law, ensures the security of user information. In the event of a data breach that compromises user data, Chola Chess will inform users without undue delay, providing details of the breach and potential consequences.

Chola Chess is committed to protecting the privacy of children who use the Platform. Individuals under the age of eighteen are considered children, and their data is subject to special protections:

1. Age Verification : Users are required to declare their age during account creation. If a user indicates that they are below 18 years of age, verifiable consent from a parent or legal guardian is required before collecting or processing their data.
2. Parental Consent : When a child registers to use the Platform, the email or phone number of a parent or guardian is requested to verify and record their consent. No data of a child is processed without such verified consent, except as permitted under applicable law.
3. Data Collected from Children : With appropriate consent, limited data such as the child’s name, age, contact details, skill level, and training history may be collected for account management, training customization, and tournament participation.
4. Restrictions on Use Use: Children's data is not used for targeted advertising or behavioral profiling and is strictly used to provide educational and training services within the Platform.
5. Rights of Parents and Guardians : Parents or guardians have the right to review, correct, or delete their child’s data at any time and may withdraw consent, in which case the child’s account may be suspended or deleted, subject to legal obligations.
6. Contact for Concerns : If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child’s User Data has been collected without consent or would like to exercise any rights on behalf of your child, please contact our Grievance Redressal Officer using the contact information provided in this Privacy Policy.

For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding the collection or processing of user data, or to exercise rights as provided, users may contact the Grievance Redressal Officer using the following details:

Name: Admin

Email: Help@CholaChess.com

Phone: 8925984477

Chola Chess will acknowledge grievances within 24 hours and aim to resolve them within one day.

Chola Chess may update the Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on the relevant page, and the last updated version date will be revised accordingly.