Data Retention Policy

1. Retention Principles

We follow these principles:

• Minimum retention: We retain only what is needed.
• Clear deletion timelines: All user-initiated deletions follow the exact schedules described below.
• Meta compliance: Instagram/Meta data is deleted within 48 hours when access is revoked or when the account is deleted.
• Backup removal: Backups are fully cleared within 30 days of deletion, unless legally required.
• Legal exceptions: Certain records may be retained if required for regulatory, financial, fraud-prevention, or reporting obligations.

2. Retention Timelines by Data Category

2.1 Account Information

Includes: Name, email, phone, profile photo, descriptions, city, college, educational details, preferences.

Retention Period:

• Retained while the user's account is active
• Fully deleted within 48 hours after account deletion (via app or email request)
• Backups purged within 30 days

2.2 Instagram/Meta API Data

Includes: Instagram insights, engagement metrics, authorized profile details, access tokens.

Retention Period:

• Retained only while user grants Meta authorization
• Deleted within 48 hours once user deletes their account, or user revokes access through Instagram → Settings → Apps and Websites
• Access tokens revoked immediately
• Backups cleared within 30 days

2.3 Campaign & Opportunity Submissions

Includes: Screenshots, insights, posts, analytics, creative submissions, applications.

Retention Period:

• Deleted within 48 hours after account deletion unless required for: brand reporting already completed, ongoing campaign audits, legal/contractual obligations
• For legally required retention, data is retained only for the mandated duration
• Backups cleared within 30 days

2.4 Internship & Client Applications

Includes: Resumes, academic details, work samples, social links.

Retention Period:

• Deleted within 48 hours after account deletion
• If previously shared with a client, they may retain it under their policies
• Backups cleared within 30 days

2.5 Financial & Payment Data

Includes: UPI ID, bank details, payout confirmations.

Retention Period:

• UPI and bank details deleted within 48 hours after account deletion
• Legally required financial records (e.g., payout logs, payment confirmations) retained for up to 7 years as required by Indian financial and tax laws
• Backups cleared within 30 days

2.6 Technical & Session Data

Includes: IP address, device info, browser info, login logs, cookies.

Retention Period:

• Retained for up to 12 months for fraud detection and security
• Deleted within 48 hours when the account is deleted
• Backups cleared within 30 days

2.7 Customer Support Records

Includes: Email queries, support tickets, complaint logs.

Retention Period:

• Retained for up to 24 months for service quality and dispute resolution
• Deleted when no longer necessary or upon account deletion (unless legally required)
• Backups cleared within 30 days

3. Alignment With Data Deletion Procedures

This policy follows the exact processes described in our Data Deletion Instructions:

• Account deletion is completed within 48 hours
• All personal data is removed within 48 hours
• Meta-linked permissions are revoked automatically
• Backups are fully wiped within 30 days
• Deletion is irreversible
• Manual deletion requests via email follow the same timeline

We ensure consistent deletion across all systems and service providers.

4. Data Retained for Legal Reasons

We may retain limited data if required by:

• Financial compliance and audits
• Tax regulations
• Fraud detection and prevention
• Security logging
• Past campaign reporting already completed
• Legal disputes or regulatory requests

Such data is kept only for the legally mandated period and deleted immediately afterward.

5. Where Data Is Stored

• Data is stored on secure servers with restricted access.
• Backups follow the same deletion schedule described above.
• If stored outside India, appropriate legal safeguards are applied.

6. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Data Retention Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on our platform.

7. Contact

For any questions or deletion-related issues, contact:

The Education Tree
Email: contact@theeducationtree.com