Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Short version: We collect only what we need to run the platform and personalise your export journey. We do not sell your data. We do not share it with advertisers. You can request deletion at any time.
1. Who We Are
ExportFirst.in is an export-import knowledge and mentorship platform operated by BitHelp Foundation, a registered organisation based in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Platform lead: Akshay Rajole
Directors: Akshay Rajole, Tushar Pakhare, Rohit Lalwani
Contact: akshay@exportfirst.in
For privacy-related matters, Akshay Rajole acts as the data controller for ExportFirst.in.
2. What Data We Collect
Information you provide directly
| Data | When Collected | Why |
|---|
| Full name | Registration | Account identification and personalisation |
| Email address | Registration | Login, account notifications, platform updates |
| Phone / WhatsApp number | Registration | Session communication and support |
| Business name & type | Registration | Matching you with relevant modules and content |
| Product category | Registration | Personalised country profiles and HSN recommendations |
| City & state | Registration | Location-specific guidance and Maharashtra-focused content |
| Export stage | Registration | Calculating readiness score and next steps |
| Compliance status (GST, IEC, RCMC) | Registration | Export Readiness Score and personalised checklist |
| Goals & interests | Registration | Module recommendations and session matching |
| Password | Registration | Account security — stored as encrypted hash, never in plain text |
| Payment information | On purchase | Order fulfilment — processed via payment gateway, not stored by us |
Information collected automatically
- Last login date and time — for account security monitoring
- Pages visited within the platform — to improve content and user experience
- Browser type and device — for technical compatibility
- IP address — for security and fraud prevention
3. Why We Collect Your Data
We use your data for the following purposes only:
- Account management: Creating, maintaining, and securing your account
- Personalisation: Showing you relevant modules, country profiles, and next steps based on your product category and export stage
- Export Readiness Score: Calculating and updating your score based on your compliance status and stage
- Platform communication: Account approval, session confirmations, module launch notifications
- Session & event registration: Processing your registrations for meetups and workshops
- Platform improvement: Understanding which content is most useful and where the platform can improve
- Mentorship matching: Connecting you with appropriate sessions and content based on your profile
We do not use your data for advertising. We do not sell your data to any third party. We do not share your profile with other users without your consent.
4. Who We Share Your Data With
We share your data only in the following limited circumstances:
- Akshay Rajole (Platform Lead): Has full access to all user profiles for the purpose of account approval, mentorship, and platform management
- BitHelp Foundation Directors: Tushar Pakhare and Rohit Lalwani have access to platform operations data for governance purposes
- Payment gateway (Razorpay or similar): Your payment information is processed by the gateway provider — we receive only the confirmation and order reference, not your card or bank details
- Hosting provider (Hostinger): Your data is stored on Hostinger's servers in accordance with their data protection policies
- Legal compliance: If required by Indian law, court order, or government authority
We do not share your personal data with Startup Maharashtra, third-party platforms, or any other organisation without your explicit consent.
5. How We Store & Protect Your Data
- Your data is stored in a secured MySQL database on Hostinger's hosting infrastructure
- Passwords are stored as bcrypt hashed values — they are never stored in plain text
- Platform access is via HTTPS (SSL encrypted connection)
- Admin access to user data requires a separate password not shared with general platform users
- We do not retain payment card details — all payment processing is handled by the payment gateway
While we take all reasonable measures to protect your data, no system is completely secure. In the unlikely event of a data breach, we will notify affected users within 72 hours of becoming aware.
6. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Deletion: Request deletion of your account and personal data. We will process this within 7 working days. Note: some data may be retained for legal or financial compliance purposes
- Portability: Request your profile data in a readable format (CSV or PDF)
- Opt-out of communications: You may opt out of non-essential platform emails by contacting us
To exercise any of these rights, email: akshay@exportfirst.in with "Privacy Request" in the subject line. We will respond within 48 working hours.
7. Cookies
ExportFirst.in uses minimal cookies:
- Session cookie: Used to keep you logged in during your visit. Expires when you close your browser or log out
- No advertising cookies
- No third-party tracking cookies
You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this will prevent you from logging in to the platform.
8. Children's Privacy
ExportFirst.in is designed for business users, MSMEs, farmers, and professionals. The Platform is not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. If you believe a minor has registered on our platform, please contact us at akshay@exportfirst.in and we will remove the account promptly.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as the Platform evolves. We will notify registered users of significant changes by email. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
The "Effective Date" at the top of this page reflects when the current version came into force.
For any privacy concerns, data requests, or grievances:
- Data Controller: Akshay Rajole
- Email: akshay@exportfirst.in
- Organisation: BitHelp Foundation, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Response time: Within 48 working hours
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may approach the relevant authority under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and applicable Indian data protection regulations.