Privacy Policy

Effective date: March 16, 2026
Last updated: August 8, 2026

Welcome to Vamshio. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Services.

Vamshio (“Vamshio”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) provides tharavad / family heritage tools, including:

• our websites at https://vamshio.com and related pages
• the admin / member web platform (including app.vamshio.com)
• the mobile application Vamshio Tharavad Connect (the “App”)

Together, these are the “Services”. By using the Services, you agree to this policy.

1. Who this policy covers

This policy applies to visitors of our website, tharavad administrators, and family members who sign in to the web platform or the App. Access to member and admin features is by credentials issued or approved through your tharavad.

The Services are intended for users in India. Family records may include details of relatives, including minors, added by an adult member or admin for family-record purposes.

2. Information we collect

A. Account and identity

• Phone number and/or email used to sign in
• Password (stored hashed on our servers; we do not store it in plain text)
• Authentication token kept on your device (App) so you stay signed in
• Active tharavad membership and, if you belong to more than one, your selected tharavad
• Account login details and profile information on the web platform

B. Profile and family records

You or your tharavad admin may provide:

• Full name, father’s/mother’s name, date of birth, gender, marital status
• Address, home number, phone, email
• Thavadi / sub-thavadi, member ID, occupation, and notes
• Profile photograph
• Family-tree relationships (parent, siblings, descendants) and similar details for relatives you add or edit, subject to admin approval

Family data is shared with other authorised members and admins of the same tharavad, so the tree, dues, and records stay consistent.

C. Payments and finances

• Contribution / payment history for selected years
• Pending or outstanding dues (if your tharavad tracks you for payment)
• Receipt number, amount, mode, date, and receipt files you open or save

Payments are typically recorded by tharavad admins. The member App is used to view dues and receipts. We do not run an in-app card checkout in Vamshio Tharavad Connect, and we do not collect payment card numbers through that App.

D. Minutes, suggestions, submissions, and website contact

• Minutes of meeting (MOM) documents you open
• Suggestions or feedback you submit
• Family-member addition requests (“My Submissions”) and their approval status
• Name, email, phone, and message if you submit the website contact or demo form

E. Website and usage information

• Browser type, device type, and IP address
• Pages visited and similar usage information needed to operate and improve the website
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Cookies)

F. App device information and notifications

If you use Vamshio Tharavad Connect:

• An authentication token stored on your device so you stay signed in
• Appearance preference (light / dark / system) stored on your device
• If you allow notifications: a push token (Firebase Cloud Messaging) and basic device/app information needed to deliver tharavad-related alerts

Android backup of App data is disabled. Clearing App data or logging out removes the local session. We do not use the App to track your GPS location.

G. Photos, camera, and files (App)

With your permission, the App may access:

• Camera and photo library — only to set a profile photo
• Storage / Files / Downloads — only if you save a receipt or MOM document to your device

We do not scan your gallery. Photos you upload become part of your tharavad member record.

H. Information we do not collect

• Precise location / GPS for mapping or advertising
• Device contacts, SMS, microphone, or calendar
• Advertising IDs for third-party ads
• Payment card numbers entered in the member App

3. How we use your information

Your information may be used to:

• Provide and maintain the Vamshio platform and App
• Authenticate you and keep your session secure
• Manage family member records and relationships
• Show dashboards, profiles, family trees, dues, receipts, minutes of meeting (MOM), and suggestions
• Let you update your profile or eligible family-member profiles, and submit new members for admin approval
• Switch between tharavads if you belong to more than one
• Improve website and App features and performance
• Communicate updates and notifications (including optional push notifications)
• Provide customer support and respond to demo or contact requests
• Comply with law and protect the security and integrity of the Services

Vamshio does not sell or rent user personal data. We do not use your family or payment data for third-party advertising.

4. Legal basis (India — DPDP Act, 2023)

We process personal data to:

• Provide the service you requested
• Obtain consent where required (for example camera, photos, and notifications in the App)
• Meet legal obligations

If you withdraw consent for camera, photos, or notifications, related App features will stop. Your account and tharavad records may still be processed as needed to run the Services for your family.

5. Sharing of information

Vamshio does not sell or rent user personal data. Information may only be shared as follows:

Recipient	Why
Your tharavad admins	Membership, approvals, dues, family tree, and records
Other members of the same tharavad	Family tree, names, and details your tharavad chooses to show
Trusted service providers	To help operate our platform (hosting, file storage, email, and similar)
Google Firebase (FCM)	Push notification delivery for the App, if enabled
Authorities	To comply with legal obligations, or to protect the security and integrity of the platform

We do not share your data with unrelated tharavads. Switching tharavad only loads data for the tharavad you select.

6. Cookies and website analytics

On our websites, cookies and similar technologies may be used to enhance the user experience, remember preferences, keep you signed in, protect the site (including CSRF/session cookies), and analyze usage patterns of the platform. You can control cookies through your browser settings. The member App does not use website advertising cookies.

7. Data security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect user data against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. This includes HTTPS for traffic to our Services and token-based authentication for signed-in users. Passwords are not stored in plain text. Access to member data is scoped to your authenticated membership and current tharavad.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please keep your password confidential and log out on shared devices.

8. Retention

• Account and member records are kept while your membership is active and as long as your tharavad retains them for family / financial history.
• Website logs and cookies are kept only as needed to operate and secure the site.
• Auth tokens on the device last until you log out or they expire.
• Push tokens are kept while notifications are enabled.
• Backups and logs may be retained for a limited period for security and recovery.

To correct or delete personal data, contact your tharavad admin and/or vamshio.app@gmail.com. Some financial and lineage records may be retained where the tharavad must keep them for audit or heritage purposes.

9. Children’s privacy

Since Vamshio is a family management platform, users may add information about family members including children. Users are responsible for ensuring they have consent to add such information.

The App is for adult members. Do not create a login for a child. Contact us if you believe a child’s data was added in error.

10. Your rights and choices

Subject to Indian law and your tharavad’s role in managing family records, you may:

• Request access, correction, or deletion of your personal data
• Update your profile in the App or web platform where those features are available
• Withdraw camera, photo, or notification permission in device Settings
• Log out to remove the local App session
• Control website cookies through your browser

Email vamshio.app@gmail.com with the subject “Privacy request — Vamshio”. We may need to verify that the request is from the account holder.

11. Third-party links and documents

MOM reports, receipts, or website links may open PDFs or pages hosted by us or your tharavad. Those files follow this policy when stored on Vamshio systems. External websites have their own policies.

12. International processing

Servers and subprocessors may be located in India and/or other countries (for example Firebase). By using the Services you understand your information may be processed in those locations with appropriate safeguards.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Material changes may also be notified in the App, on our website, or by email/SMS where appropriate. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised policy.

14. Contact us