Vidarbha Cotton Association (“VCA,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how it is used, and how it is protected when you download, register, and use the VCA Cotton mobile application and related event portals for the Indian Cotton Summit 2026.

1. Information We Collect

When you register and use the application, we may collect the following categories of information:

Personal Information

• Full Name: To identify you as an official summit delegate.
• Mobile Phone Number: Used as your primary login identifier for secure SMS OTP authentication.
• Email Address: For official registration confirmations and invoices (if provided).
• Company / Firm Name: To display on your verified summit delegate badge.
• Designation / Role: For professional delegate networking.
• City, State, and Pincode: For regional trade mapping and logistics.
• Delegate Category: (e.g. VCA Member, Cotton Ginning, Spinning, Trading, Sponsor).

Account & Event Information

• Unique Registration & Pass Identifier (e.g., A1267).
• Encrypted QR Code data representing your verified entry pass.
• Event check-in timestamps recorded at summit venue registration counters.
• User preferences, bookmarked speaker sessions, and schedule reminders.

Device & Diagnostic Information

• Device model, manufacturer, and operating system version (Android / iOS).
• Application version.
• Push Notification Token (Firebase Cloud Messaging / Expo Push Token) to send conference alerts.
• Unique device installation ID (UUID).
• IP address, network connectivity state, and crash diagnostics.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information solely for legitimate event management purposes:

• To create, authenticate, and maintain your delegate profile securely via Firebase Phone OTP.
• To generate and issue your verified Digital Delegate Pass with secure QR code for gate entry.
• To display conference agendas, summit schedules, venue maps, and speaker profiles.
• To deliver real-time push notifications regarding session start times, urgent announcements, and room changes.
• To verify authorized entry at summit venue gates and prevent pass duplication or fraud.
• To improve the performance, responsiveness, and stability of the mobile application.
• To provide customer and technical assistance during the event.

3. Digital Passes & QR Verification

The application generates a digital badge with a secure QR code. When you arrive at the Indian Cotton Summit venue, accredited coordinators scan this pass to verify your registration. Only authorized staff have access to the scanner module, and data displayed is strictly limited to your verified delegate name, company, and category.

4. Third-Party Services & SDKs

We integrate certified, secure third-party service providers to power essential application features:

• Google Firebase Authentication: Dispatches real SMS OTPs and authenticates your phone number.
• Google Play Integrity API: Protects against automated abuse and ensures the app is running on a genuine device.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) / Expo Notifications: Powers push notification delivery for conference alerts.

These third parties process data securely according to their industry-standard security and privacy obligations.

5. Notifications

The application sends notifications regarding:

• Summit schedules, keynote sessions, and panel discussions.
• Important logistical updates, venue alerts, and pass approvals.

You can enable or disable notifications at any time through your device's system settings.

6. Sharing of Information

We strictly DO NOT sell, trade, rent, or monetize your personal data to third parties for advertising or commercial marketing.

Your information may be shared only under the following limited conditions:

• With authorized Vidarbha Cotton Association organizing committee members and verification ground staff.
• With venue security personnel solely for attendee verification and safety.
• When strictly required by applicable Indian law, court order, or governmental authorities.
• To protect the security, legal rights, and integrity of the Vidarbha Cotton Association and summit participants.

7. Data Security

We use appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. All communication between the app and our servers is secured using SSL / TLS 1.3 encryption. Internal database access is restricted to verified administrators with multi-factor authentication.

8. Data Retention

Your personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill summit operations, provide event verification services, and maintain official historical records of the Indian Cotton Summit, unless a longer retention period is mandated by law.

10. Children's Privacy

The VCA Cotton application is intended strictly for adults and trade professionals participating in the cotton and textile industries. The application is not intended for children under 18 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect operational or regulatory changes. Any updates will be published on this page with a revised Effective Date. Continued use of the application constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.