Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

BCCL administers HYD Next and controls programme-related personal information. HYD Next includes initiatives such as the Mobility Ideathon and Water Resilience Challenge. Designated knowledge partners may process relevant information for authorised evaluation and administration purposes under the arrangements established by BCCL. This Privacy Policy does not grant knowledge partners independent rights to use HYD Next personal data.

2. Information We Collect

• Registration information: name, email address, mobile number, residential/community information, organisation or college information, role/designation, participant category, team composition and other eligibility information.
• Challenge information: problem statement selections, solution stage, solution descriptions, team experience, water-management information, community category, household/home count, location and related responses.
• Submission information: presentations, documents, photographs, videos, designs, prototypes, concept materials, supporting evidence, quotations and other content submitted for evaluation or showcase.
• Prize and verification information: identity, bank, tax, PAN and other information needed to verify eligibility and process prizes or reimbursements where applicable.
• Technical information: IP address, browser, device, operating system, timestamps, cookies, session identifiers, diagnostics, analytics and security logs where the website or forms use such technologies.
• Communications: enquiries, support requests, correspondence and grievance information.

3. Purposes of Data Collection and Use

• Register participants, teams, communities and households and verify eligibility.
• Administer the Mobility Ideathon, Water Resilience Challenge and related HYD Next activities.
• Share relevant information and submissions with authorised knowledge partners, jurors and evaluators for assessment, verification, shortlisting and selection.
• Communicate submission instructions, timelines, event information, results and programme updates.
• Process prize verification and payments and comply with tax, accounting and legal requirements.
• Maintain the security, integrity and proper functioning of HYD Next platforms and processes.
• Investigate complaints, disputes, suspected misconduct, fraud, plagiarism or rights violations.
• Prepare editorial, event, website, social-media, promotional and archival content where permitted by consent or otherwise authorised by law.
• Maintain records, conduct authorised analytics and improve HYD Next administration and participant experience.

4. Sharing of Information with Knowledge Partners and Other Parties

BCCL may share relevant information with designated knowledge partners and authorised evaluators where necessary to administer and evaluate an initiative.

• Smart City Living Lab, IIIT Hyderabad: relevant Mobility Ideathon participant and submission information for expert review, solution development, evaluation, shortlisting and administration.
• Indian Green Building Council (IGBC): relevant Water Resilience Challenge participant, community and submission information for assessment, verification, shortlisting and recognition.
• Authorised technology, hosting, analytics, communications, payment, event and support providers acting on BCCL’s behalf.
• Government, regulatory, law-enforcement or other authorities where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
• Other third parties where necessary to protect BCCL’s rights, safety, systems or the integrity of HYD Next.

BCCL will seek to ensure that authorised processors and partners handle personal information only for permitted purposes and in accordance with applicable contractual and legal requirements. No knowledge partner is granted an independent right to sell or monetise HYD Next personal data.

5. Editorial, Promotional and Showcase Use

HYD Next is designed in part to showcase ideas, practices and participants. BCCL may use the participant’s name, photograph, video, community/team details, quotes, submitted solution or practice descriptions and other submitted material for The Times of India editorial coverage and HYD Next website, print, social-media, event, promotional, marketing and archival purposes.

Participation in HYD Next includes agreement to the use of participant and submission materials for editorial, publication, showcase, event, archival and promotional purposes as described in this Privacy Policy and the HYD Next Terms & Conditions. Such use is an integral part of HYD Next and participation constitutes agreement to these uses, subject to applicable law.

6. Intellectual Property and Submitted Content

Participants retain intellectual-property rights they lawfully hold in their original submissions. BCCL may store and use submitted content as described in the HYD Next Terms & Conditions for administration, evaluation, editorial, promotional, event and archival purposes. Participants should not submit confidential or proprietary information that they do not wish to disclose publicly and are responsible for protecting patentable or other rights before submission.

7. Data Security

BCCL and authorised service providers will implement reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration or loss. No online platform can guarantee absolute security.

In the event of a personal-data breach, BCCL will investigate, contain and remediate the incident and make notifications to affected individuals or competent authorities where required by applicable law.

8. Data Retention

BCCL may retain HYD Next personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for programme administration, evaluation, prize processing, editorial and archival purposes, legal or regulatory compliance, dispute resolution and other authorised purposes.

Winning or featured submissions, including associated names, materials and records required for editorial, event or archival purposes, may be retained indefinitely, subject to applicable law and BCCL’s archival practices.

Information relating to unsuccessful or non-featured submissions may be retained for a defined period determined by BCCL in consultation with the relevant knowledge partner where appropriate, taking into account operational, legal, evaluation and record-keeping needs. At the end of the applicable retention period, information will be deleted or anonymised where reasonably practicable, subject to legal or archival requirements.

9. Cookies, Analytics and Website Technologies

HYD Next digital properties may use necessary cookies, session identifiers and authorised analytics technologies to operate the website, maintain security, understand usage, measure engagement, troubleshoot issues and improve services. Users may manage applicable cookie settings through browser controls and any available consent tools.

10. Children and Parent/Guardian Consent

HYD Next initiatives may permit participation by persons under 18 where the relevant initiative allows it. Where participation by a minor is permitted, BCCL may require appropriate parent or legal guardian consent, verification and any additional safeguards required by applicable law. BCCL may collect only the information reasonably necessary for participation and administration.

11. User Rights and Grievance Redressal

Subject to applicable law, individuals may request access to their personal information, correction of inaccurate information, withdrawal of consent where legally permissible, or deletion where retention is no longer necessary or legally required. Reasonable identity verification may be required.

Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing already carried out lawfully before withdrawal and may affect the ability to participate where the processing is necessary to administer the initiative. BCCL will explain any material impact where appropriate.

Privacy / grievance contact: BCCL Data Protection Officer – dpo@timesofindia.com

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy

BCCL may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in HYD Next, processing activities, law or operational requirements. Material changes will be communicated through appropriate digital channels where required by applicable law.

13. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of India, subject to applicable law.

14. Contact

For HYD Next programme queries, privacy requests or grievances, contact hydnext@timesofindia.com.