Privacy

Privacy policy

Privacy is important to us, and we are concerned about more and more data being collected and mined by corporations and governments. 

How do we live out our concern for privacy? 

• This website does NOT have any analytics or tracking in place.

• This website has NO paid advertising.

• IF you want to receive our newsletter you need give us ONLY your email address (and optionally your name or alias)

Despite concerns about more and more data in less and less hands (with very little agency and empowerment for individuals with regard to how their data is used), additional factors play into our decisions. We try not to take a “religious” or “partisan” stance. We'd rather take deliberate and conscious action than follow rote rules or fall on the sword of principle over the pragmatism of mindful engagement with the world in all its messiness.

We aim to spread more ease, joy and wonder. Usability — which encompasses ease-of-use and joy-of-use — can be a vehicle toward calmness of mind. Whatever you think of their intentions, big companies must meet European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. Whatever you think of their ethics, some (but not all) big companies excel at creating digital products that are intuitive and easy to use. 

Rather than wrestling with open-source software and our own servers, we chose to build this website with Google Sites, which may use cookies to ensure the proper functioning of the site, for security purposes, and to enhance user experience. These cookies may be set by the Google Sites platform itself. The pop-up that appears when you visit this site links here for further information: How Google Uses Cookies. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may or may not impact the functionality of the website.

Our newsletter operates using Google Groups in the background; you do not need a Google account to subscribe or unsubscribe. If you interact with us by email, those interactions are also run on Gmail as part of Google Apps for Business.

We may embed or link to content on additional 3rd-party platforms like LinkedIn or YouTube. We do not share any data with those sites, but they will have their own privacy policies of which you will want to be aware.

Data collection: This website — indirectly, by referring you to our newsletter — collects email addresses (and optionally names) solely for the purpose of sending out occasional emails to those who have voluntarily subscribed. You can unsubscribe and thereby remove your data at any time by emailing newsletter+unsubscribe@mahamangala.org. We only collect your email address (and name if applicable) when you actively subscribe to our newsletter through the provided sign-up form. 

Use of data: Your name and email address will only be used to send you our newsletter containing updates about our work, upcoming events, and other relevant information.

Storage of data: The email addresses (and names if provided) that are collected for our newsletter are stored and managed using Google Groups, a service provided by Google LLC. By subscribing to our newsletter, you acknowledge that your email address will be transferred to and processed by Google in accordance with their privacy policy. You can find Google's privacy policy here: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en 

Subscription management: You have the complete freedom to subscribe to or unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. Each newsletter will contain a clear and easy-to-use unsubscribe link. You can also contact us directly at info@mahamangala.org to request removal from the mailing list.

Data sharing: Your email address will not be shared with any other third parties besides Google for the purpose of newsletter management and email as described above. 

Data security: We take reasonable measures to protect your email address. Only list administrators have access to the list of newsletter recipients a.k.a. Google Group members. Google also implements security measures to protect the data they process. For information on Google's security practices, please refer to their privacy policy as linked above. 

Your rights: You have the right to access, correct, or request the deletion of your personal data (your email address and name) that we hold — and that Google holds on our behalf for purposes of sending the newsletter. To exercise these rights, you can first use the unsubscribe link provided in the newsletter: newsletter+unsubscribe@mahamangala.org. For further requests, please contact info@mahamangala.org. By subscribing to our newsletter, you consent to the collection, storage, and processing of your email address (and name if you provide it) as described in this policy, including its transfer to and processing by Google Groups.

Thanks for trusting us with your data.