Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: March 24, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Pine Careers (hereinafter referred to as “Pine Careers”, “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, processes, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use our website at https://pinecareers.com/ (the “Website”), our services, or interact with us. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in a transparent and secure manner, in compliance with applicable Indian laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act, 2023), the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000), and the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 (SPDI Rules, 2011).

Your privacy is paramount to us, and we strive to maintain transparency in our data processing practices. By accessing or using our services, you signify your understanding and agreement to the terms of this Privacy Policy. We encourage you to read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal data.

1. DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this Privacy Policy:

1.1 “Personal Data” means any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data.

1.2 “Data Principal” means the individual to whom the personal data relates and who is identifiable from such data.

1.3 “Data Fiduciary” means Pine Careers, which determines the purpose and means of processing personal data.

1.4 “Processing” means a wholly or partly automated operation or set of operations performed on personal data, including collection, recording, storage, use, disclosure, erasure, or destruction.

2. WHO WE ARE

2.1 Pine Careers is a global careers engagement and higher education collaboration platform that connects global institutions, Indian institutions, industries, and alumni to facilitate meaningful academic-industry partnerships, student recruitment, alumni engagement, and career opportunities. We operate the Website to provide information about our services and allow users to get in touch with us for partnerships, collaborations, and career-related support.

3. CONSENT

3.1 By providing your personal data or using our services, you consent to the collection, processing, storage, and use of your personal data for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy. Where required under applicable law, explicit consent will be obtained before processing sensitive or additional personal data. Consent shall be obtained through clear affirmative action (such as ticking a checkbox).

4. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

4.1 We collect various types of personal data to provide and improve our career guidance, educational, and placement services. The categories of personal data we may collect include:

• Name, date of birth, gender, photograph, email address, postal address, telephone number, mobile number or any Government-issued identification details where required for identity verification in accordance with applicable law.

• Academic qualifications, degrees, certifications, institutions attended, grades, transcripts, employment history, job titles, salary expectations, skills, resumes/CVs, cover letters, professional references.

• IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting and location, device and operating system, pages visited and time spent on the platform, and other technology on the devices you use to access our website.

• Information about how you use our website, products, and services, including navigation patterns, pages viewed, and duration of visits.

• Your preferences in receiving marketing from us and your communication preferences. Marketing communications are sent only with your explicit consent. You may withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or by contacting us using the details provided in this Policy.

• Details required for processing payments for our services, though actual payment processing is typically handled by secure third-party payment gateways.

Users are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the personal data they provide.

5. HOW WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

5.1 We collect personal data through various methods:

• When you fill out forms on our website, register for an account, subscribe to our services, newsletters or publications, attend our events, communicate with us via email, phone, or in person, apply for a course or job through our platform, provide feedback or provide documents for application processing.

• Through cookies, server logs, web beacons, and other tracking technologies when you browse our website.

6. HOW WE USE DATA

6.1 We process your personal data for specific, lawful, and transparent purposes, primarily to provide our services and operate our business effectively. These purposes include:

• To register you as a new user, provide career counselling, educational courses, job placement assistance, and other related services.

• To personalize your experience, analyse usage patterns, troubleshoot problems, and enhance the functionality and content of our website.

• To send you service-related updates, administrative messages, newsletters, and promotional materials that may be of interest to you, based on your consent.

• To match your profile with potential job opportunities, share your resume with prospective employers (with your consent), and facilitate the recruitment process.

• To comply with our legal obligations, respond to lawful requests from public authorities, and enforce our terms and conditions.

• To protect our services and users from fraudulent activities, unauthorized access, and other security threats. We shall not be liable except where required under applicable law.

  6.2 We process personal data based on one or more of the following legal bases:

• Your consent

• Performance of a contract

• Compliance with legal obligations

• Legitimate business purposes consistent with applicable law.

7. NOTICE AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION

7.1 We shall provide you with a clear and accessible notice, at or before the time of collection of your personal data, specifying:

• The categories of personal data being collected;

• The purpose of processing;

• The manner in which you may withdraw your consent

Such notice shall be made available through website forms, email communications, or other appropriate means.

8. DATA PRINCIPAL’S RIGHTS

8.1 As a Data Principal, you have significant rights concerning your personal data under the DPDP Act, 2023. Pine Careers is committed to facilitating the exercise of these rights:

• Right to Access Information: You have the right to obtain a summary of the personal data being processed, the processing activities undertaken, and the identities of all Data Fiduciaries and Data Processors with whom your personal data has been shared.

• Right to Correction and Erasure: You have the right to request the correction of inaccurate or misleading personal data, the completion of incomplete personal data, and the erasure of your personal data that is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

• Right to Grievance Redressal: You have the right to register a grievance regarding any act or omission of the Data Fiduciary concerning your personal data on email provided below.

• Right to Nominate: You have the right to nominate any other individual who shall, in the event of your death or incapacity, exercise your rights under the DPDP Act, 2023.

• Right to Withdraw Consent: You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time, provided such withdrawal is clear and unambiguous. The withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. Upon withdrawal, we shall cease to process the personal data for the purposes for which consent was withdrawn and shall also erase the personal data unless retention is required by law.

• Right to Account Deletion: You may request deletion of your account and associated personal data by contacting us using the details provided below.

9. DATA PRINCIPAL DUTIES

9.1 Under the DPDP Act, 2023, Data Principals have certain duties, including:

• Not to impersonate another person while providing personal data;

• Not to suppress any material information while providing personal data;

• Not to register false or frivolous grievances or complaints.

10. DATA RETENTION

10.1 We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

11. DATA SECURITY

11.1 We implement reasonable security practices and procedures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, as mandated by the SPDI Rules, 2011, and the DPDP Act, 2023. Our security measures include:

• Encryption, firewalls, secure server infrastructure, and regular security audits.

• Access controls, employee training on data protection, and strict internal policies regarding data handling.

• Secure storage of physical documents and restricted access to data processing facilities.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. In the event of a personal data breach, we shall notify the Data Protection Board of India and affected Data Principals as required under applicable law.

12. DISCLOSURE TO THIRD PARTIES

12.1 We may share your personal data with third parties under specific circumstances and with appropriate safeguards:

• To Service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as web hosting, data analysis, payment processing, email delivery, and customer service. Such third parties act as Data Processors and process personal data only under our instructions and in compliance with the DPDP Act, 2023.

• To international universities, educational institutions, or employers for the purpose of facilitating admissions, internships, or employment opportunities, subject to your consent.

• We may disclose your personal data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency).

• In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your personal data may be transferred as part of the transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal data.

13. CROSS-BORDER DATA TRANSFER

13.1 Pine Careers primarily stores and processes personal data within India. However, in certain situations, your personal data may be transferred in accordance with applicable law and any restrictions notified by the Government of India under the DPDP Act, 2023. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your data outside India where necessary to provide our services. We will ensure that any such transfer is undertaken with adequate safeguards to ensure the protection of your personal data, consistent with the DPDP Act, 2023.

14. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

14.1 Our Website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to distinguish you from other users, improve your browsing experience, analyse website traffic, and personalize content.

14.2 Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit a website. We use the following types of cookies:

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: Required for the functioning of the Website and cannot be disabled.

• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our website (e.g., page visits, time spent).

• Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization.

• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns (used only with your consent).

  14.3 We obtain your explicit consent before placing any non-essential cookies (such as analytics and marketing cookies) on your device through a cookie consent banner when you first visit our website.

  14.4 You have the right to:

• Accept or reject non-essential cookies

• Withdraw your consent at any time

• Modify your cookie preferences through the cookie settings available on our website

15. CHILDREN’S DATA

15.1 We may request verification of parental or guardian consent before collecting personal data from individuals under 18 years of age. We do not undertake tracking, behavioural monitoring, or targeted advertising directed at children in violation of applicable law.

16. LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES

16.1 Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as those of educational institutions or visa application centres. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

17. OBLIGATIONS OF DATA FIDUCIARY

17.1 As a Data Fiduciary, Pine Careers undertakes the following obligations under the DPDP Act, 2023:

• To make reasonable efforts to ensure that personal data is accurate and complete.

• To implement reasonable security safeguards to prevent personal data breach.

• To notify the Data Protection Board of India and affected Data Principals in the event of a personal data breach.

• To cease to retain personal data as soon as the purpose for which it was collected has been served, and retention is no longer necessary for legal or business purposes.

18. USER CONSENT FOR PROFILE SHARING

18.1 We will share your resume, profile, or academic details with prospective employers or institutions only after obtaining your explicit consent.

19. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

19.1 We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the “Effective Date”. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

20. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

20.1 This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

21. CONTACT US

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

info@pinecareers.com