Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly when you create an account or register for events, and information automatically collected when you use our platform.

• Account information: name, email address, and password (stored as a secure hash).
• Profile data: skills, GitHub handle, bio, and profile picture (optional).
• Participation data: hackathon registrations, team memberships, and project submissions.
• Usage data: pages visited, time on site, and feature interactions (collected via analytics).
• Communications: emails or messages you send to our support team.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to operate the platform, communicate with you, and continuously improve the SVHacks experience.

• Create and manage your account and hackathon registrations.
• Send transactional emails (registration confirmations, password resets).
• Display your profile and team information to other participants.
• Analyze usage patterns to improve platform features.
• Showcase winning projects on the platform and our social media (with attribution).

Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We share information only in the following limited circumstances.

• With hackathon sponsors or judges when required for prize distribution, only with your consent.
• With service providers (hosting, email delivery) under strict data processing agreements.
• When required by law or to protect the rights and safety of SVHacks and its users.

Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in and to understand how the platform is used.

• Session cookies to maintain your logged-in state.
• Analytics cookies (Google Analytics / GTM) to track aggregate usage. You can opt out via your browser settings.
• No third-party advertising or behavioural tracking cookies are used.

Your Rights

You have meaningful control over your personal data. To exercise any of the rights below, email us at contact@svhacks.com.

• Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
• Correction: Update or correct your personal information at any time via your profile settings.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data.
• Portability: Request an export of your data in a machine-readable format.
• Objection: Opt out of non-essential communications at any time via the unsubscribe link.

Security

We take security seriously. Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms and never stored in plain text. All data is transmitted over HTTPS. If you believe you have found a security vulnerability, please disclose it responsibly to contact@svhacks.com.