PuthuToons – Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 1st June 2025

Welcome! This Privacy Policy explains how PuthuToons ("PuthuToons", "we", "our" or "us") collects, uses, and safeguards the personal information you ("user", "you") provide when you access or use our website, mobile applications, and any related services (collectively, the "Service").

Because PuthuToons is designed primarily for children and their families, we are committed to protecting privacy in line with global best practices and applicable Indian regulations (e.g., the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023). If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected].

1. Scope

This Policy applies to all personal information we collect through the Service. It does not apply to third‑party websites or services that may link to or from our Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Account Information – If you create an account (optional), we collect your display name, email address, and password.
  • User‑Generated Content – Stories, illustrations, comments, or feedback you choose to submit.
  • Parent/Guardian Consent Details – If a minor registers, we may collect the parent's or guardian's email to verify consent.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Device & Usage Data – IP address, browser type, device identifiers, referring URLs, pages visited, and interaction timestamps.
  • Cookies & Similar Technologies – Small data files used for essential functions (e.g., sign‑in), analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), and remembering preferences. See Section 7.

2.3 Children's Data

We do not knowingly collect more personal data from children than necessary to provide the Service. Personal data of users under 13 is processed only with verifiable parental consent.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve the Service.
  • Personalize your experience (e.g., saving language preference).
  • Communicate with you about updates, new stories, or support inquiries.
  • Monitor usage, detect fraud, and ensure security.
  • Comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties.

4. Legal Bases for Processing (EU/UK Users)

If you are located in the EU or UK, we process your data under these legal bases:

  • Consent – for optional features like newsletters.
  • Contract – to provide the Service you request.
  • Legitimate Interests – to understand and improve our Service, balanced against your privacy rights.
  • Legal Obligation – to meet compliance requirements.

5. Sharing and Disclosure

We share information only:

  • With Service Providers – e.g., cloud hosting, analytics, email delivery – bound by confidentiality obligations.
  • With Consent – if you direct us to share.
  • For Legal Reasons – to comply with lawful requests or protect rights, safety, or property.

We require all third‑party processors to implement appropriate security measures and to process data only for specified purposes.

6. Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Cookies & Similar Technologies

We use:

  • Essential Cookies – Required for core functionality (e.g., session management).
  • Analytics Cookies – Help us understand how users interact with the Service so we can improve it. We currently use Google Analytics with IP anonymization.

Most browsers let you control or block cookies. Disabling cookies may affect the Service's functionality.

8. Security

We employ industry‑standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards (e.g., HTTPS, encryption at rest, access controls) to protect personal information. No system is 100% secure; we encourage you to keep your password confidential and notify us of any suspected breach.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to:

  • Access, correct, or delete personal information.
  • Withdraw consent at any time (this does not affect processing prior to withdrawal).
  • Object to or restrict certain processing.
  • Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise these rights, contact [email protected].

10. Children's Privacy

Parents or legal guardians may review, update, or delete their child's personal information by emailing us. If we become aware that personal data has been collected from a child without parental consent, we will delete it promptly.

11. International Data Transfers

We store data on secure servers located in India. If we transfer personal data outside India (e.g., to our analytics provider in the EU or US), we ensure appropriate safeguards such as contractual protections or adequacy decisions.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be notified via the Service or email. Your continued use of the Service after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact:

PuthuToons Privacy Team

Email: [email protected]

Postal: [Insert mailing address]

Thank you for trusting PuthuToons with your stories and imagination!