Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 18, 2025

Introduction

Welcome to the New England Malayalee Association (NEMA). This document serves as both our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. It governs your use of our services, including our website (https://www.nemausa.org) and our mobile application ("App"). By accessing our services, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to operate our non-profit organization and provide you with services. This includes:

Personal Information You Provide:

• When you create an account, register for events, or add family members, you provide us with personal data such as your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
• When you make a payment for memberships, tickets, or donations, your payment information is collected and processed directly by our third-party payment processors (e.g., PayPal). We do not store your full credit card number.

Usage and Technical Data:

• We automatically collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, and actions taken on our services to maintain security and improve our offerings.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and manage our services, including memberships and event registrations.
• To communicate with you about events, programs, news, and important updates.
• To personalize your experience and for internal operational purposes, such as data analysis and service improvement.
• To protect the security and integrity of our services and to prevent fraud and abuse.

3. When We Share Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information under the following limited circumstances:

• With trusted service providers who perform services on our behalf (e.g., payment processing), under strict confidentiality agreements.
• With event partners when necessary for the administration of a specific event you have registered for.
• If required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal process.

4. Your Privacy Choices

• You may unsubscribe from our promotional emails at any time by using the link provided in the email.
• You may access or request deletion of your personal data by contacting us. Please note that we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate operational purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:

• Data Encryption: All data transmitted between our mobile app, our website, and our servers is encrypted using industry-standard Transport Layer Security (TLS/SSL).
• Password Protection: User passwords are securely hashed using modern algorithms on our backend, meaning we never store your plain-text password.
• Access Control: Access to personal data on our servers is restricted to authorized NEMA personnel and volunteers who require it to perform their duties.
• Secure Payment Processing: We do not store or handle your credit card information directly. All payments are processed through secure, PCI-compliant third-party payment gateways like PayPal, which are responsible for the security of your payment card data.

However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

6. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for a general audience and are designed to be used by adults and parents. We do not knowingly allow children under the age of 13 to create an account or use our services directly without verifiable parental consent.

When a parent or guardian registers a child for a NEMA event or adds them to a family profile, we may collect the child's information, such as their name and date of birth, for the sole purpose of event administration, age-group categorization, and participation. This information is provided by you, the parent or legal guardian, and we consider this action as providing consent for us to collect and use this information for these stated purposes.

Parents and guardians have the right to review the personal information we have collected about their child, request its deletion, and refuse to allow any further collection or use of the child's information. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the 'Contact Us' section below.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

Our services are provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. NEMA does not warrant that the services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall the New England Malayalee Association (NEMA), its directors, volunteers, or affiliates be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of, or inability to use, our services.

9. Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising under these terms will be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in Massachusetts.

10. Policy Updates

We may revise these terms and our Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a new effective date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact:

New England Malayalee Association (NEMA)
Email: nema.president@nemausa.org
Website: https://www.nemausa.org