Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 25, 2025

At HowToCalculate.net, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, your choices regarding that information, and your rights under applicable privacy laws.

Website Owner: Gauri Dutt Joshi, New Delhi, India
Contact: contact@howtocalculate.net

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information when you visit or use our website:

a. Information You Provide Voluntarily

  • Contact Information: When you contact us via our Contact Page, we collect your name, email address, and any message content you choose to share
  • Newsletter Subscriptions: If you subscribe to updates, we collect your email address and subscription preferences
  • Feedback and Inquiries: Any information you voluntarily provide when asking questions or providing feedback about our calculators

b. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our site, we automatically collect certain information through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies:

  • Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type
  • Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, referring website URLs
  • Location Information: General geographic location based on IP address (country/city level)
  • Technical Information: Screen resolution, language preferences, time zone

c. Calculator Usage Information

  • Calculation Inputs: We do NOT store the specific values you enter into our calculators
  • Usage Patterns: We may collect anonymous, aggregated data about which calculators are used most frequently
  • Error Reports: Technical information about calculator functionality to help us improve our tools

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following legitimate purposes:

Website Operation and Improvement

  • Provide, maintain, and improve our calculators and website functionality
  • Analyze website performance, usage patterns, and user preferences
  • Troubleshoot technical issues and optimize site performance
  • Develop new calculators and features based on user needs

Communication and Support

  • Respond to your messages, inquiries, and support requests
  • Send occasional updates about new calculators or website improvements (only if you’ve opted in)
  • Communicate important changes to our policies or services

Legal and Security

  • Comply with applicable legal requirements and regulations
  • Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
  • Enforce our Terms of Service and other policies

Analytics and Marketing

  • Understand how our website is used and which content is most valuable
  • Display relevant advertisements through third-party advertising services
  • Improve our content based on user behavior and preferences

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide and improve our services. We use both session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (remain until deleted or expired).

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Always Active)

  • Required for basic website functionality
  • Remember your cookie consent preferences
  • Maintain website security and prevent fraud

Analytics Cookies (With Your Consent)

  • Google Analytics: Tracks website usage, popular pages, and user behavior patterns
  • Help us understand how to improve our website and calculators
  • Provide insights into which tools are most helpful to users

Advertising Cookies (With Your Consent)

  • Google AdSense: Serves relevant advertisements based on your interests
  • DoubleClick DART Cookie: Enables personalized advertising across websites
  • Third-party advertising partners may use cookies to serve targeted ads

Cookie Consent and Management

  • We display a cookie consent banner when you first visit our website
  • You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences
  • You can change your cookie settings at any time through our cookie preference center
  • Disabling cookies may limit some website functionality

Opt-Out Options

4. Third-Party Services and Advertising

Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our site and other websites on the Internet.

  • Google’s use of advertising cookies enables personalized ads across the Google Display Network
  • You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings
  • Learn more about Google’s privacy practices: policies.google.com/privacy

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage and improve our services:

  • Tracks page views, user sessions, and site interactions
  • Provides insights into popular calculators and content
  • Helps us optimize website performance and user experience
  • Data is anonymized and aggregated for analysis

Other Third-Party Services

  • Web Hosting Providers: May have access to server logs and technical data
  • Email Service Providers: Process communications when you contact us
  • Security Services: Monitor for threats and protect against attacks

We carefully select third-party services and require them to maintain appropriate privacy and security standards.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

  • Trusted third-party service providers who assist with website operations (web hosting, email services, analytics)
  • These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and can only use your information to provide services to us

Legal Requirements

  • When required by law, court order, or legal process
  • To comply with regulatory investigations or requests
  • To protect our rights, safety, property, or that of our users

Business Transfers

  • In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of our business, user information may be transferred to the new owner
  • You will be notified of any such change via email or prominent website notice

Anonymous, Aggregated Data

  • We may share anonymized, aggregated statistics about website usage that cannot identify individual users
  • Used for research, business development, or marketing purposes

6. International Data Transfers

Primary Data Location: Our website is operated from India, and your information may be stored and processed in India.

Cross-Border Transfers: If you are located outside India, please note that:

  • Your information may be transferred to and processed in India where our servers and service providers are located
  • We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers
  • By using our website, you consent to the transfer of your information to India

Data Protection: We maintain the same privacy protection standards regardless of where your data is processed.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy:

Contact Communications

  • Email inquiries: Retained for 2 years to provide ongoing support and track conversation history
  • Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe or after 3 years of inactivity

Website Usage Data

  • Analytics data: Aggregated usage statistics retained for 26 months (Google Analytics default)
  • Server logs: Technical logs retained for 90 days for security and troubleshooting purposes
  • Cookie data: According to individual cookie expiration periods (typically 1-24 months)

Legal or Security Issues

  • Information may be retained longer if required for legal compliance or to address security incidents
  • We will delete personal information when no longer needed, subject to legal requirements

8. Your Privacy Rights

General Rights (All Users)

  • Access: Request information about what personal data we hold about you
  • Correction: Ask us to correct or update inaccurate personal information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
  • Objection: Object to certain processing of your personal information
  • Data Portability: Request a copy of your personal information in a portable format

GDPR Rights (European Union Users)

If you are located in the European Union, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

  • Right to be Informed: This privacy policy provides transparent information about our data practices
  • Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we process your personal data
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Rights Related to Automated Decision Making: Protection from solely automated decision-making

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your personal data based on:

  • Consent: For non-essential cookies and marketing communications
  • Legitimate Interest: For website analytics, security, and service improvement
  • Contract Performance: To provide our calculator services and respond to inquiries

CCPA Rights (California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

  • Right to Know: What personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
  • Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
  • Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service and pricing even if you exercise your privacy rights

California Consumer Disclosures:

  • Information Categories: We collect identifiers, internet activity, and geolocation data as described above
  • Business Purposes: Website operation, analytics, advertising, and communication as described in Section 2
  • Third-Party Sharing: We share information with service providers and for legal compliance as described in Section 5
  • No Sale of Information: We do not sell personal information to third parties

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at:

  • Email: contact@howtocalculate.net
  • Subject Line: “Privacy Rights Request – [Your Specific Request]”
  • Required Information: Please provide enough information to verify your identity and specify your request

Response Time: We will respond to verified requests within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

Technical Safeguards

  • HTTPS Encryption: All data transmitted to/from our website is encrypted using SSL/TLS
  • Secure Hosting: Our website is hosted on secure, regularly updated servers
  • Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
  • Regular Security Updates: We keep our software and security measures current

Organizational Safeguards

  • Privacy Training: Staff handling personal information receive privacy and security training
  • Data Minimization: We collect only the information necessary for stated purposes
  • Regular Audits: Periodic review of our privacy practices and security measures

Incident Response

  • We have procedures to detect, report, and investigate security incidents
  • In case of a data breach, we will notify affected users and authorities as required by law
  • We maintain incident response procedures to minimize impact and prevent recurrence

Limitation: While we use industry-standard security measures, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

  • If you are under 18, do not use our website or provide any personal information
  • If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will delete that information immediately
  • Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided personal information should contact us immediately

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including:

  • External resources referenced in our calculator explanations
  • Professional organizations and regulatory bodies
  • Social media platforms and professional networks

Important: This Privacy Policy applies only to HowToCalculate.net. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. Please review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in our data practices
  • New features or services
  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Industry best practices

Notification of Changes

  • Effective Date: The date at the top of this policy shows when it was last updated
  • Significant Changes: We will provide prominent notice on our website for material changes
  • Email Notification: If you have contacted us previously, we may notify you of significant changes via email
  • Continued Use: Your continued use of our website after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

13. Contact Us About Privacy

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

Primary Contact

  • Email: contact@howtocalculate.net
  • Subject Line: “Privacy Policy Question” or “Privacy Rights Request”
  • Response Time: We will respond within 3-5 business days

Mailing Address

Gauri Dutt Joshi
HowToCalculate.net
New Delhi, Delhi 110001
India

What to Include in Your Message

  • Clear description of your question or request
  • If exercising privacy rights, please specify which rights you want to exercise
  • Enough information for us to verify your identity if needed
  • Preferred method and timeline for response

Last Updated: August 25, 2025
Website: https://howtocalculate.net
Contact: contact@howtocalculate.net

This Privacy Policy is part of our Terms of Service and should be read in conjunction with our website policies.