Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Smart Consultancy ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services. Please read this policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms, do not access our website or use our services.

We reserve the right to update this policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when using our website or services. This includes:

2.1 Personal Data

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, company name.
• Professional Information: Job title, industry, business needs.
• Communication Data: Messages you send through our contact forms, emails, or inquiries.
• Financial Data: Billing information (processed securely through third-party payment processors).

2.2 Automatically Collected Data

• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time spent on pages.
• Cookies & Tracking: We use cookies to enhance user experience and analyze site traffic. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for legitimate business purposes, including:

• Providing and personalizing our consultancy services.
• Responding to inquiries and consultation requests.
• Sending administrative information, such as updates and security alerts.
• Marketing communications (with your consent, which you may withdraw at any time).
• Improving website functionality and user experience.
• Complying with legal obligations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), our legal basis for processing your information includes:

• Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your data for specific purposes.
• Contract: Processing is necessary for a contract you have with us.
• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary for compliance with the law.
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests (e.g., improving services, fraud prevention).

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share data with:

• Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist in operating our website, conducting business, or serving you (e.g., email hosting, analytics). These parties are bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, or legal process (e.g., court order, government request).
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you of any such change.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include:

• SSL encryption for data transmission.
• Regular security audits and monitoring.
• Access controls and authentication protocols.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When data is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

Data Type	Retention Period
Contact form inquiries	2 years
Client contract data	7 years (for legal/accounting purposes)
Marketing emails (consent)	Until consent withdrawn
Website usage logs	12 months

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations).
• Restriction: Limit how we use your data.
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@smartconsultancy.shop. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. Types of cookies we use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand user behavior (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Marketing Cookies: Track campaigns and personalize content.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website performance.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites (e.g., social media, partners). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. We encourage you to review their policies before providing any information.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with data, we will take steps to delete it.

12. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards (e.g., standard contractual clauses) are in place for such transfers.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a prominent notice on our website or contacting you directly. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates when changes were made.

14. Contact Us

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

• Email: privacy@smartconsultancy.shop
• Phone: +91 8080405056
• Address: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@smartconsultancy.shop