Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Kowtha & Co ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data with transparency and integrity. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you:

• Visit our website at cakowtha.co.in (the "Website")
• Use our internal employee mobile application (the "App")
• Engage with our services
• Communicate with us in any form

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using our Website, App, or services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not access the Website, use the App, or engage with our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Identity Information: Name, job title, company name, date of birth, gender, and similar information.
• Contact Information: Email address, physical address, telephone number, and similar information.
• Financial Information: Bank account details, payment card details, and transaction records when you engage our services.
• Technical Information: IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system, and platform.
• Usage Information: Information about how you use our Website, App, products, and services.
• Marketing Information: Your preferences in receiving marketing from us and our third parties.

2.2 Mobile App-Specific Information

Our internal employee App collects additional information, including:

• Location Data: With your permission, we collect precise location data through the App to optimize employee field visits, verify work locations, and facilitate efficient routing.
• Storage Access: The App requires access to device storage to save files, reports, forms, and other work-related documents necessary for performing job functions.
• Device Information: Information about your mobile device, including device model, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.
• Usage Patterns: Information about how you use the App, including frequency of use, features accessed, and performance data.

Note: The App is intended exclusively for internal employees of C.A. Kowtha & Associates and is not available for use by clients or the general public.

3. How We Collect Your Information

We collect information through various methods:

• Direct Interactions: When you fill out forms, create an account, subscribe to communications, or correspond with us.
• Automated Technologies: As you interact with our Website or App, we may automatically collect technical data about your device and browsing actions using cookies and similar technologies.
• Third Parties: We may receive information from third-party service providers, business partners, or publicly available sources.
• Mobile App: Through your use of the internal employee App and the permissions you grant.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To provide, maintain, and improve our services
• To process and fulfill service requests and transactions
• To communicate with you about our services, updates, and related matters
• To personalize your experience and provide content relevant to your interests
• To develop new products and services
• To conduct data analysis, testing, research, and statistical analysis
• To maintain the security and integrity of our Website and App
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms

4.1 Mobile App-Specific Uses

For our internal employee App, we use the collected information to:

• Facilitate field inspections and customer visits
• Track employee location during working hours for scheduling and safety purposes
• Enable secure document storage and sharing between field employees and office staff
• Optimize routes and schedules for employees conducting field work
• Monitor App performance and troubleshoot technical issues
• Ensure compliance with company policies regarding field work

5. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, accounting, or reporting requirements.

For internal employees using the App, location data is retained for up to 90 days and then permanently deleted, unless a longer retention period is required for specific business or legal purposes.

6. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share your personal information with:

• Internal Staff: Employees who need access to perform their jobs.
• Service Providers: Third parties who provide services on our behalf, such as hosting providers, IT support, and payment processors.
• Professional Advisers: Including lawyers, bankers, auditors, and insurers who provide legal, banking, accounting, and insurance services.
• Regulatory Bodies: Government or regulatory authorities, or other third parties when required by law or to protect our rights.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets.

7. Data Security

We have implemented appropriate security measures to prevent your personal information from being accidentally lost, used, accessed, altered, or disclosed in an unauthorized way. We limit access to your personal information to employees, agents, contractors, and other third parties who have a business need to know.

For our mobile App, we employ end-to-end encryption for data transmission, secure authentication protocols, and regular security audits to ensure your information remains protected.

8. Your Legal Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• The right to access your personal information
• The right to correction of your personal information
• The right to erasure of your personal information
• The right to restrict processing of your personal information
• The right to data portability
• The right to object to processing
• Rights relating to automated decision-making and profiling

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer at data@cakowtha.co.in. We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal information.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Website and services are not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are under 16, please do not provide any information on our Website or through our services.

10. International Data Transfers

We primarily process data in India. However, some of our service providers may be located outside of India. When we transfer your personal information outside of India, we ensure a similar degree of protection is afforded to it by implementing appropriate safeguards.

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer at:

Email: data@cakowtha.co.in

Postal Address:
Data Protection Officer
Kowtha & Co
26-22-21, Mudunurivari Street,
Gandhinagar, Vijayawada,
Andhra Pradesh - 520003
India