Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

SWAPN ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy of the individuals and organizations with whom we interact. We recognize that responsible handling of personal information is fundamental to maintaining professional trust and delivering consulting services, research, software platforms, and digital products with integrity.

This Privacy Policy explains how SWAPN collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information obtained through our websites, consulting engagements, research activities, communications, software platforms, digital products, and related business operations.

Our objective is to process personal information responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

In most circumstances described in this Privacy Policy, SWAPN acts as a data controller, determining the purposes and means of processing personal information. Where SWAPN provides software platforms, digital products, or consulting services on behalf of a client, SWAPN may instead act as a data processor (or equivalent role under applicable law), processing personal information on that client's documented instructions. In such cases, the specific processing terms are set out in the applicable service agreement referenced in the Terms of Service, and this Privacy Policy describes SWAPN's own processing activities as controller unless stated otherwise.

By accessing our websites, communicating with us, engaging our services, or using our digital platforms, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected by SWAPN through its business operations, including but not limited to:

• Visitors to SWAPN websites.
• Clients and prospective clients.
• Users of SWAPN digital platforms and software products.
• Research collaborators and academic partners.
• Suppliers, contractors, consultants, and service providers.
• Individuals communicating with SWAPN through email, telephone, web forms, or other communication channels.
• Applicants seeking employment or professional engagement with SWAPN.
• Individuals participating in workshops, webinars, conferences, surveys, or other events organized or supported by SWAPN.
• Subscribers to newsletters or other informational communications, where applicable.

This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected or processed by SWAPN and does not apply to third-party websites, platforms, or services that may be referenced or linked from our websites.

3. Information We Collect

The information collected by SWAPN depends upon the nature of your interaction with us.

Personal Information

We may collect information that identifies or relates to an individual, including:

• Full name.
• Professional title.
• Organization or employer.
• Business email address.
• Telephone number.
• Mailing address where voluntarily provided.
• Professional profile information.
• Other contact information voluntarily submitted.

Business Information

When providing consulting services or engaging with organizations, we may collect business-related information such as:

• Organization details.
• Industry sector.
• Business requirements.
• Project information.
• Procurement documentation.
• Proposal information.
• Contractual information.
• Billing information where applicable.

Communication Information

When you contact SWAPN, we may retain records of communications, including:

• Emails.
• Contact form submissions.
• Meeting requests.
• Consultation enquiries.
• Technical support requests.
• Feedback.
• Survey responses.
• Other correspondence voluntarily provided.

Technical Information

When visiting our websites or using our digital platforms, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address.
• Browser type and version.
• Device type.
• Operating system.
• Screen resolution.
• Language preferences.
• Time zone.
• Date and time of access.
• Referral source.
• Diagnostic information.
• Error logs.
• System performance information.

Usage Information

We may collect information regarding how our websites or digital platforms are used, including:

• Pages visited.
• Navigation paths.
• Features accessed.
• Session duration.
• Download activity.
• Interaction with website functionality.
• General website performance metrics.

This information is generally used to improve website performance, usability, reliability, and security.

Information You Choose to Provide

You may voluntarily provide additional information through interactions with SWAPN, including:

• Consultation requests.
• Project enquiries.
• Partnership proposals.
• Employment applications.
• Event registrations.
• Research collaborations.
• General correspondence.

You are under no obligation to provide optional information; however, certain services may not be available without information necessary for their delivery.

4. Information Collected Automatically

This section elaborates on the Technical Information and Usage Information categories introduced in Section 3. Like most professional websites and digital services, SWAPN may automatically collect certain technical information when users interact with our websites or digital platforms.

This information may include:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address.
• Browser characteristics.
• Device identifiers.
• Operating system.
• Internet service provider.
• Referring URLs.
• Date and time of visits.
• Pages viewed.
• Navigation behaviour.
• Session information.
• Diagnostic and performance logs.

Automatically collected information helps us:

• maintain website functionality;
• improve user experience;
• understand website performance;
• detect technical issues;
• monitor system reliability;
• protect against unauthorized access, misuse, or malicious activity.

Where cookies or similar technologies are used, they are described in the Cookies section of this Privacy Policy.

5. How We Use Personal Information

SWAPN processes personal information only where there is a legitimate business purpose or another lawful basis for doing so.

Depending upon the nature of your interaction with us, personal information may be used to:

Deliver Professional Services

Including:

• preparing proposals;
• responding to requests;
• providing consulting services;
• conducting research activities;
• delivering project outputs;
• managing client relationships.

Operate Our Digital Platforms

Including:

• maintaining website functionality;
• providing access to digital products;
• improving software performance;
• administering user accounts where applicable;
• diagnosing technical issues;
• ensuring operational continuity.

Communicate With You

Including:

• responding to enquiries;
• scheduling meetings;
• providing requested information;
• sharing project updates;
• sending service-related communications;
• responding to support requests.

Improve Our Services

Information may be analyzed to:

• improve consulting methodologies;
• enhance website usability;
• refine software platforms;
• evaluate service quality;
• understand client needs;
• improve operational efficiency.

Where practical, aggregated or anonymized information may be used for analytical purposes.

Legal, Regulatory, and Business Administration

Personal information may also be processed where necessary to:

• comply with applicable legal obligations;
• maintain business records;
• protect legal rights;
• prevent fraud or misuse;
• manage contractual obligations;
• support dispute resolution;
• maintain information security.

Marketing Communications

Where appropriate and permitted by applicable law, SWAPN may send communications relating to:

• company updates;
• publications;
• research;
• events;
• webinars;
• service announcements;
• industry insights.

Recipients may opt out of non-essential communications using the instructions provided within those communications or by contacting SWAPN directly.

6. Legal Basis for Processing (Where Applicable)

Depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the processing activity, SWAPN may process personal information on one or more of the following legal bases:

• your consent;
• performance of a contract;
• compliance with legal obligations;
• protection of legitimate business interests;
• protection of legal rights;
• other lawful bases permitted under applicable legislation.

The legal basis for processing may vary depending upon the specific relationship between SWAPN and the individual concerned.

Where consent forms the basis for processing, individuals may withdraw that consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual limitations.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

SWAPN may use cookies and similar technologies to support the operation, performance, and security of its websites and digital platforms.

Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device that help websites recognize returning visitors, remember certain preferences, improve functionality, and better understand how websites are used.

Depending on the services provided, cookies may be used for purposes such as:

• Maintaining website functionality.
• Improving user experience.
• Supporting website security.
• Understanding website performance and usage trends.
• Remembering user preferences where applicable.

Most web browsers allow users to manage or disable cookies through their browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the availability or functionality of certain website features.

Where appropriate, SWAPN may publish a separate Cookie Policy providing additional information regarding the specific categories of cookies used and available user controls.

8. Sharing of Personal Information

SWAPN treats personal information as confidential and does not sell personal information to third parties.

Personal information may be shared only where reasonably necessary for legitimate business operations, legal compliance, or service delivery.

Examples include:

Service Providers

SWAPN may engage carefully selected third-party service providers to assist with functions such as:

• Website hosting.
• Information technology support.
• Business administration.
• Communication services.
• Data storage.
• Professional advisory services.

These providers are expected to process information only as necessary to perform the services requested and in accordance with applicable contractual obligations.

Professional Advisers

Information may be shared with legal advisers, accountants, auditors, insurers, or other professional advisers where reasonably necessary to obtain professional services or protect SWAPN's legal interests.

Legal and Regulatory Authorities

SWAPN may disclose information where disclosure is required or permitted by applicable law, regulation, judicial process, governmental request, or other lawful authority.

Corporate Transactions

If SWAPN undergoes a business restructuring, merger, acquisition, investment, asset transfer, or similar corporate transaction, relevant information may be transferred as part of that process, subject to applicable legal requirements.

9. International Data Transfers

SWAPN primarily operates from India; however, certain business operations or technology services may involve the processing or storage of information using service providers located in different jurisdictions.

Where international transfers occur, SWAPN seeks to ensure that personal information continues to receive an appropriate level of protection through appropriate contractual, technical, and organizational safeguards, consistent with applicable legal requirements and commercially reasonable security practices.

The location of service providers may change over time as business operations evolve.

10. Data Retention

SWAPN retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as otherwise required by applicable law, contractual obligations, or legitimate business requirements.

Retention periods may vary depending on factors including:

• Nature of the information.
• Type of business relationship.
• Applicable legal requirements.
• Regulatory obligations.
• Accounting and taxation requirements.
• Contractual commitments.
• Ongoing disputes or legal proceedings.
• Information security requirements.

When personal information is no longer required, SWAPN seeks to securely delete, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of the information using commercially reasonable methods, subject to applicable legal obligations.

11. Information Security

SWAPN recognizes the importance of protecting personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, misuse, or destruction.

To support this objective, SWAPN maintains a combination of administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards that are designed to protect information appropriate to the nature of the data and associated risks.

Examples of such safeguards may include:

• Access controls.
• Authentication mechanisms.
• Secure communication practices.
• System monitoring.
• Software maintenance.
• Internal administrative controls.
• Appropriate contractual protections with service providers where applicable.

Although SWAPN takes reasonable measures to protect personal information, no method of electronic transmission or information storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Accordingly, while reasonable efforts are made to protect information, SWAPN cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Your Privacy Rights

Depending upon the jurisdiction in which you reside and the applicable laws governing the processing of personal information, you may have certain privacy rights.

These rights may include:

• Requesting access to personal information held about you.
• Requesting correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Requesting deletion of personal information where legally permitted.
• Withdrawing consent where processing is based on consent.
• Objecting to certain processing activities where permitted by law.
• Requesting restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
• Requesting data portability where applicable.
• Lodging complaints with competent regulatory authorities where permitted by law.

The availability of these rights may vary depending upon applicable legislation and the specific circumstances of the request.

SWAPN may request reasonable information to verify the identity of an individual before responding to privacy-related requests.

13. Third-Party Websites and Services

SWAPN websites or communications may include links to third-party websites, publications, services, software, or external resources for informational purposes.

This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected or processed by SWAPN.

SWAPN does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, or policies of third-party websites or services.

Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services they choose to access.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

SWAPN may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in business operations, legal requirements, technological developments, or organizational practices.

When material changes are made, the revised version will be published on the applicable SWAPN website together with an updated "Last Updated" date.

Unless otherwise stated, revised versions become effective upon publication.

Users are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically to remain informed about how personal information is managed.

15. Contact Information

Questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or SWAPN's handling of personal information may be directed to:

SWAPN will make reasonable efforts to respond to privacy-related enquiries in accordance with applicable legal requirements and the nature of the request.