Starts Club

Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 30, 2025

1. Introduction

Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, mobile app, APIs, and community features.

By accessing or using StartsClub, you agree to the terms of this policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our services.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of data to deliver and improve our platform:

a) Personal Information

  • Name, email address, profile photo, username
  • Professional details (company, role, bio, social links)
  • Account preferences and notification settings

b) Technical Data

  • IP address, browser type, operating system
  • Device identifiers, geolocation (approximate), time zone
  • Session duration and interaction logs

c) Usage Data

  • Search queries, filters applied, and browsing patterns
  • Time spent on pages, clicks, and navigation flow
  • Community engagement (comments, replies, follows)

d) User-Generated Content

  • Product submissions (name, tagline, description, images, links)
  • Maker profiles and launch announcements
  • Feedback and support interactions

e) Configuration & Preference Data

  • Notification preferences (email, push, in-app)
  • Followed topics, makers, or product categories
  • Saved products, drafts, and watchlists

3. How We Use Your Data

  • Enable product discovery, upvoting, and community interaction
  • Personalize your homepage, recommendations, and trending feeds
  • Facilitate product launches, maker stories, and discussions
  • Deliver real-time notifications for upvotes, comments, and mentions
  • Generate analytics and insights for users and makers
  • Improve platform performance, UI/UX, and recommendation algorithms
  • Communicate updates, newsletters, featured launches, and support responses
  • Conduct internal research to enhance community features and moderation

4. Data Sharing and Third-Party Services

We do not sell your data to third parties. We may share your data under the following circumstances:

  • With service providers such as:
    • Cloud hosting (AWS, Vercel)
    • Analytics tools (Google Analytics)
    • Email delivery (Resend, SendGrid)
    • CDN and performance services (Cloudflare)
  • With community moderation tools (if integrated) for spam and abuse detection
  • With legal or regulatory authorities, when required by law
  • Internally with authorized team members under strict Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Publicly visible data (e.g., usernames, comments, upvotes, product submissions) is part of the community experience and accessible to all logged-in users.

5. Data Storage & Retention

  • All user data is stored securely on cloud infrastructure in compliance with Indian data protection laws.
  • You may request deletion or export of your personal data at any time via your account settings or by emailing support.
  • Retention is maintained only as long as you are an active user or as legally required.
  • Inactive accounts may be anonymized after 24 months of no activity.

6. Data Security Measures

  • Encryption at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3)
  • Multi-layer firewalls, WAF, and DDoS protection
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and audit logging
  • Secure session management and JWT-based authentication
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning

Despite these measures, no system is 100% immune to breaches. We continuously monitor and improve our defenses.

7. Your Rights

  • Access, update, or correct your personal information
  • Request deletion of your account and associated data
  • Export your data (posts, comments, upvotes) in a structured format
  • Withdraw consent for marketing communications
  • Opt-out of personalized recommendations
  • Report abuse or request content removal

8. Cross-Border Data Transfer

StartsClub services may involve servers hosted outside India (e.g., AWS regions). In such cases, we ensure compliance with international data transfer standards and maintain adequate safeguards.

9. Updates to This Policy

This policy may be updated to reflect platform changes or legal requirements. All updates will be:

  • Notified via email and in-app banner
  • Posted on our website with the revised effective date

Continued use of StartsClub after updates constitutes acceptance of the new policy.

10. Contact Us

For privacy concerns, data requests, or support:
Email: hello@startsclub.com