1. Introduction

Welcome to shastri.me ("Website," "I," or "me"). This Privacy Policy describes how I collect, use, disclose, and protect information about you when you access or use my website, including any content, functionality, and services offered on or through my website.

Pranay Shastri operates this website as a personal portfolio platform that showcases technical expertise through blogs, tutorials, and downloadable projects. My commitment is to transparency regarding my data practices and your privacy rights.

This Privacy Policy applies to information I collect through my website and does not apply to information collected by third parties, including advertisers or social media platforms. By accessing or using my website, you signify your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not access or use my website.

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or my data practices, please contact me at [email protected].

2. Information I Collect

A. Information Automatically Collected

When you access my website, I automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns through server logs, cookies, and similar technologies. This information includes:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device manufacturer and model, screen resolution, and mobile device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, navigation paths, referring URLs, exit pages, and timestamps of visits
• Technical Information: Browser plug-in types and versions, time zone setting, browser language preference, and JavaScript enablement status
• Network Information: Internet service provider, approximate geographic location (at city or regional level), and network type
• Diagnostic Data: Error logs, crash reports, performance metrics, and system event information for troubleshooting purposes
• Security Data: Authentication attempts, security events, and suspicious activity detection information

This automatic data collection enables me to optimize website performance, enhance user experience, detect security threats, and analyze traffic patterns to improve my content delivery.

B. Information Provided Voluntarily

I collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to me through specific interactive features on my website:

• Client Contact Form: When submitting project inquiries, I collect your full name, email address, phone number, company name (if applicable), project description, budget range, timeline expectations, and any additional details you choose to share about your requirements
• Recruiter Contact Form: For employment opportunities, I collect your name, corporate email address, company name, position title, phone number, brief description of the opportunity, compensation details (if shared), and any other relevant information about the role
• File Submissions: Any documents, resumes, project files, or other materials you intentionally upload through my forms
• Communication Data: Content of messages, attachments, and metadata from email correspondence initiated through my contact forms

It is important to note that my website operates without requiring user accounts, subscription models, comment systems, or e-commerce functionality. The contact forms represent the only mechanisms through which I collect personally identifiable information. I do not collect payment information, social security numbers, health information, or other sensitive personal data.

3. How I Use the Information

A. To Provide and Maintain the Website

I utilize collected information to ensure optimal website functionality and user experience:

• Content Delivery: Personalize content presentation based on device characteristics and geographic location to optimize readability and accessibility
• Performance Optimization: Analyze usage patterns and technical data to identify bottlenecks, improve loading speeds, and enhance overall website responsiveness
• User Interface Enhancement: Adapt layout and navigation elements based on popular usage patterns to improve usability
• System Maintenance: Monitor server performance, detect technical issues, and implement necessary updates to ensure continuous availability
• Compatibility Assurance: Test and optimize website compatibility across different browsers, devices, and operating systems

B. To Respond to Contact Form Queries

Voluntarily provided contact information enables me to engage in professional communications:

• Client Service Management: Process project inquiries, schedule consultations, provide proposals, and coordinate project execution
• Employment Opportunity Evaluation: Review recruitment inquiries, schedule interviews, and facilitate hiring processes
• Communication Continuity: Maintain ongoing correspondence related to initial inquiries, including follow-up discussions and project updates
• Relationship Management: Store contact history to personalize future interactions and provide continuity of service

C. For Analytics and Business Intelligence

I employ analytical techniques to understand website performance and user engagement:

• Traffic Analysis: Identify popular content, peak usage times, and user demographics to guide content strategy decisions
• Conversion Tracking: Measure effectiveness of content marketing efforts and user journey optimization
• Content Performance: Evaluate which tutorials, blogs, and resources generate the highest engagement to inform future content development
• User Behavior Research: Understand navigation patterns and content consumption habits to improve information architecture

D. Advertising and Revenue Generation

To sustain website operations and fund continued content creation, I partner with advertising networks:

• Ad Targeting: Collaborate with Google AdSense and AdAstra to display contextually relevant advertisements based on content categories and user interests
• Revenue Optimization: Analyze ad performance metrics to maximize advertising revenue while maintaining positive user experience
• Audience Insights: Utilize aggregated demographic and interest data to attract premium advertisers and sponsorship opportunities

E. Security and Fraud Prevention

I implement robust security measures to protect my website and users:

• Threat Detection: Monitor for unusual traffic patterns, automated bot activity, and potential security breaches
• Access Control: Implement rate limiting and authentication measures to prevent unauthorized access attempts
• Incident Response: Maintain logs and audit trails to investigate security incidents and implement corrective measures
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensure adherence to applicable data protection regulations and industry security standards

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

A. Understanding Cookies

Cookies are small text files containing alphanumeric identifiers that are transferred to your computer's hard drive through your web browser. These files enable my website to recognize your browser and store information about your preferences and activities. Cookies serve multiple purposes in enhancing website functionality and user experience.

B. Types of Cookies I Use

My website employs various categories of cookies to optimize performance and functionality:

• Essential Cookies: Strictly necessary cookies that enable core website functionality such as user authentication, shopping cart operations (if applicable), and security features. These cookies cannot be disabled without affecting website usability.
• Performance Cookies: Analytical cookies that collect information about how visitors use my website, including which pages are visited most often, error messages received, and site performance metrics. This data helps me improve website functionality and user experience.
• Functionality Cookies: Preference cookies that remember user choices such as language selection, region, and font size preferences to personalize the user experience.
• Targeting Cookies: Marketing cookies used by my advertising partners to deliver personalized advertisements based on your browsing history and interests. These cookies track your online activity across different websites.
• Third-Party Cookies: Cookies set by external services such as Google Analytics, Google AdSense, and social media platforms that integrate with my website.

C. Managing Cookie Preferences

You have control over cookie acceptance and can manage your preferences through your browser settings. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies or receive notifications when cookies are being placed. However, please note that disabling cookies may impair certain website functionalities and result in a degraded user experience. For specific instructions on managing cookies in your browser, please consult your browser's help documentation.

5. Advertising and Third-Party Services

A. Google AdSense Program

I participate in Google AdSense, an advertising program that enables publishers to earn revenue by displaying targeted advertisements on their websites. Google AdSense uses advanced algorithms to determine which ads to display based on website content, user interests, and browsing history. The program may utilize cookies such as those from the DoubleClick domain to track user interactions and optimize ad targeting.

Google's data collection practices are governed by their Privacy Policy, which can be accessed at https://policies.google.com/privacy. Users can opt out of personalized advertising through Google's Ads Settings page.

B. AdAstra Advertising Network

My website also integrates with AdAstra, a technology advertising network specializing in developer and technical audience targeting. AdAstra may collect information about your browsing behavior, device characteristics, and technical interests to deliver relevant advertisements. Their data collection and usage practices are subject to AdAstra's own privacy policies and terms of service.

C. Analytics and Measurement Services

I utilize third-party analytics services to measure website performance and user engagement:

• Google Analytics: Tracks user interactions, conversion rates, traffic sources, and demographic information to optimize website performance and content strategy
• Server Log Analysis: Processes technical data to identify performance bottlenecks and security threats
• Heat Mapping Tools: Visualizes user interaction patterns to improve website design and navigation

D. Embedded Media Services

My tutorials may incorporate multimedia content from third-party platforms:

• YouTube Video Embeds: Embedded YouTube players may collect viewing statistics and interaction data subject to Google's Privacy Policy
• Vimeo Content Integration: Vimeo embedded players operate under Vimeo's data collection and privacy practices
• GitHub Gists: Code snippet embeddings from GitHub may collect usage analytics according to GitHub's terms

These third-party services maintain their own privacy policies governing data collection and usage. I recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies to understand how your information may be collected and used.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

I maintain strict controls over how your information is shared and disclosed. I do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

However, I may disclose information in the following limited circumstances:

• Consent-Based Disclosure: With your explicit permission or direction, I may share information with third parties for specific purposes outlined at the time of consent
• Legal Compliance: When required by law, regulation, legal process, or government request, I may disclose information to comply with legal obligations
• Protection of Rights: To protect my rights, property, or safety, or that of my users or the public, I may disclose information when I believe it is necessary to prevent harm or financial loss
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or similar transaction, your information may be transferred to successor entities
• Service Providers: I may share information with trusted third-party vendors who assist in operating my website, conducting business, or servicing my users, provided they agree to maintain confidentiality

My service providers are contractually obligated to use personal information only as necessary to provide their services and must maintain appropriate security measures to protect your data.

7. Data Retention

I retain information for varying periods based on its nature and purpose:

• Contact Form Submissions: Information submitted through my contact forms is retained for active communication purposes and subsequently archived for business record-keeping. Data is typically retained for 24 months from the last communication, after which it is securely deleted unless required for legal or tax purposes
• Analytics Data: Server logs and analytical data are retained according to my hosting provider's standard retention policies, typically ranging from 90 days to 24 months depending on the data type
• Cookie Data: Information collected through cookies is managed according to the retention policies of the respective cookie providers (Google, AdAstra, etc.)
• Backup Information: System backups containing website data are maintained for disaster recovery purposes and are typically retained for 90 days

I implement automated data retention policies to ensure information is not kept longer than necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. Upon expiration of retention periods, data is securely deleted using industry-standard destruction methods.

8. Data Security

I implement comprehensive security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction:

• Encryption Technology: All data transmission between your browser and my servers is secured using HTTPS/TLS encryption protocols to prevent interception of sensitive information
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit employee and contractor access to personal information on a need-to-know basis, with role-based permissions and regular access reviews
• Infrastructure Security: My hosting infrastructure employs firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security scanning to identify and remediate vulnerabilities
• Data Integrity: Regular integrity checks and validation procedures ensure data accuracy and prevent unauthorized modifications
• Employee Training: Staff members receive regular training on data protection principles and security best practices
• Incident Response: Comprehensive incident response procedures enable rapid identification, containment, and remediation of security events

Despite my robust security measures, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. I strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information but cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children's Privacy

My website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. I am committed to complying with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other applicable laws protecting children's privacy.

If I discover that I have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, I will promptly delete that information from my records. Parents or guardians who believe I may have collected information from a child under 13 should contact me immediately at [email protected].

I encourage parents and guardians to monitor their children's Internet usage and to discuss online safety practices with their children. For additional resources on protecting children's privacy online, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.ftc.gov.

10. User Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction and applicable data protection laws, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Right of Access: You have the right to request information about what personal data I hold about you and how it is processed
• Right to Rectification: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information I hold about you
• Right to Erasure: Under certain circumstances, you may request deletion of your personal information, commonly known as the "right to be forgotten"
• Right to Restrict Processing: You may request limitation of how I process your personal information in specific situations
• Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format for transfer to another controller
• Right to Object: You may object to processing of your personal information for direct marketing or other purposes based on legitimate interests
• Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making: You may request human intervention in decisions based solely on automated processing that significantly affects you

To exercise these rights, please contact me at [email protected]. I will respond to your request within 30 days or as otherwise required by applicable law. I may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request to protect your privacy and security.

Please note that certain rights may be limited by applicable law, particularly when data processing is necessary for compliance with legal obligations, establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims, or for public interest reasons.

11. International Data Transfers

My website operates globally, which means your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your own. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from those of your jurisdiction.

When I transfer your information internationally, I implement appropriate safeguards to ensure your personal data receives an adequate level of protection. These safeguards may include:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities for international data transfers
• Binding corporate rules for intra-organization transfers
• Compliance with certification mechanisms such as the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework (where applicable)
• Adherence to legally required derogations for specific situations

By using my website, you consent to the transfer of your information to my facilities and to those third parties with whom I share information as described in this Privacy Policy, regardless of your location.

12. Third-Party Links

My website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not owned or controlled by me. These links are provided for your convenience and information but do not constitute an endorsement of the linked sites or their content.

I have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. When you access third-party sites through links on my website, you do so at your own risk and are subject to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of those third parties.

We strongly advise you to review the privacy policies and terms of any third-party websites you visit. If you decide to access any third-party websites, services, or resources, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use and privacy policies of those third parties.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

I reserve the right to modify or update this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in my practices, legal requirements, or business operations. I will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the beginning of this policy.

Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. I encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any updates. Your continued use of my website after any modifications to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

For significant changes that materially impact how I treat your personal information, I may provide additional notice through email, website notification, or other means as required by law.

14. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or have any privacy-related inquiries, please contact me using the information below:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: shastri.me
• Purpose: Privacy inquiries, data access requests, deletion requests, or general privacy concerns

I will respond to your inquiry within 30 business days or as otherwise required by applicable data protection laws. For complaints regarding data processing or to report a privacy concern, please contact me first to afford me the opportunity to address your concerns directly.

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or other jurisdictions with data protection authorities, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority if you believe my processing of your personal information infringes applicable data protection laws.