Section 01

Introduction and Scope

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how Dr. Vishwanath Bite, operating under the brand name Literary Rides (“we,” “us,” or “our”), collects, uses, stores, and discloses information in connection with the following digital properties and services (collectively, the “Services”):

• The website located at literaryrides.com and all its subpages;
• The VocabPro web application and Android application available on Google Play;
• All forthcoming applications under the Literary Rides suite, including GrammarPro, SpeakPro, ReadingPro, UGC NET Pro, and MockTestPro;
• The Literary Rides Podcast, distributed via Anchor (Spotify) and other podcast platforms;
• The YouTube channels @literaryrides and @teachingwithtech.

By accessing or using any of the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Policy, you must discontinue use of the Services.

This Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”), the Information Technology Act, 2000, and any applicable Rules, amendments, or successor legislation.

Section 02

Data Fiduciary

The Data Fiduciary responsible for personal information collected through the Services, within the meaning of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is:

Section 03

Information We Collect

We collect the minimum information necessary to provide and improve our Services. The nature of information collected varies by Service as described below.

3.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily

We may collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Submit an enquiry or message through the contact form on literaryrides.com;
• Choose to join the VocabPro mailing list through the optional “Join VocabPro” prompt within the application;
• Submit a research paper or article to The Criterion or Galaxy journals via linked journal websites;
• Send an email directly to our contact address.

Such information may include your name, email address, institutional affiliation, and the content of your communication. This information is used solely to respond to your enquiry or to fulfil the purpose for which it was provided.

3.2 Information Collected by the VocabPro Application

VocabPro does not require registration and can be used in full without providing any personal information. The application does, however, contain one optional feature that transmits data:

Where you do choose to submit your name and email address, that information is transmitted over an encrypted HTTPS connection to a Google Apps Script endpoint and recorded in a private Google Sheet controlled solely by Dr. Vishwanath Bite. See Section 6.1 for details of this processing arrangement.

The VocabPro application also includes an optional local sign-in feature. This feature operates entirely on your device: credentials and account records are stored in your browser’s local storage and are never transmitted to us or to any third party. It is a convenience for separating progress between multiple users of the same device, not a server-backed account.

3.3 Information Collected Automatically on the Website

When you visit literaryrides.com, our hosting infrastructure and analytics tools may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address (anonymised or truncated where possible);
• Browser type and version;
• Operating system;
• Referring URL;
• Pages visited and time spent on each page;
• Date and time of access.

This information is collected in aggregate and is not used to identify individual users. It applies to the website only. The VocabPro application contains no analytics instrumentation of any kind.

3.4 Information We Do Not Collect

Across all Services, we do not collect:

• Financial or payment information of any kind;
• Government identifiers, biometric data, or health information;
• Precise or approximate location data;
• Contacts, photographs, files, or other device content;
• Audio or video recordings;
• Any learning progress, quiz history, or in-app behavioural data from our applications.

Section 04

How We Use Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Purpose	Legal Basis	Data Used
Responding to contact form enquiries and email communications	Legitimate use / consent	Name, email, message content
Sending occasional updates about VocabPro and forthcoming Literary Rides applications to users who opted in	Consent	Name, email address
Understanding aggregate website usage patterns	Legitimate use	Anonymised analytics data (website only)
Improving Services and developing new features	Legitimate use	Aggregate usage data only
Complying with legal obligations	Legal obligation	As required by applicable law

We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. We do not use your information for targeted advertising, and we do not carry out any profiling or automated decision-making.

Section 05

Local Storage and Device Data

The Literary Rides applications, including VocabPro, store data locally on your device using standard web browser technologies: localStorage and, in future versions, IndexedDB. This is fundamental to how the applications function — enabling offline access, progress tracking, spaced repetition scheduling, and personalised settings.

5.1 Data Stored Locally by VocabPro

The following categories of data are stored on your device by VocabPro. None of it is transmitted to us or to any third party:

Data Category	Storage Mechanism	Purpose
Quiz history and scores	localStorage	Progress tracking and performance display
Spaced repetition (SRS) schedules	localStorage	SM-2 algorithm scheduling of word reviews
Bookmarks and notes	localStorage	Personal word lists and annotations
Daily goals and streak data	localStorage	Gamification and motivation features
Application settings and preferences	localStorage	UI personalisation (font size, sound, speech)
XP, levels, and badge records	localStorage	Gamification system
Local sign-in records, where used	localStorage	Separating progress between users of one device

5.2 Control Over Local Data

You retain full control over locally stored data at all times. You may:

• Export your data at any time using the Export / Import feature within VocabPro;
• Delete all locally stored data by clearing your browser’s site data or clearing app data through your Android device settings;
• Import previously exported data to restore your progress on a new device.

Clearing local data is permanent and cannot be reversed. We do not maintain server-side backups of your learning data and therefore cannot restore it for you.

Section 06

Third-Party Services

We use a limited number of third-party services in connection with our Services. Each third party operates under its own privacy policy, which governs their collection and use of data.

6.1 Google Apps Script and Google Sheets (Mailing List)

VocabPro

Where you choose to submit your name and email address through the optional “Join VocabPro” prompt, that submission is sent over HTTPS to a Google Apps Script endpoint and appended to a private Google Sheet. The Sheet is stored in a Google account controlled solely by Dr. Vishwanath Bite and is not shared with, sold to, or accessed by any other party. Google acts as a data processor in this arrangement, providing storage infrastructure only. Google’s privacy policy is available at policies.google.com/privacy.

6.2 Cloudflare Web Analytics

literaryrides.com

We use Cloudflare Web Analytics on the literaryrides.com website only. Cloudflare Web Analytics is a privacy-first analytics tool that does not use cookies, does not collect personal information, and does not track users across websites. Data collected is aggregated and anonymised. Cloudflare Web Analytics is not used in the VocabPro application, which carries no analytics instrumentation whatsoever. Cloudflare’s privacy policy is available at cloudflare.com/privacypolicy.

6.3 Anchor / Spotify (Podcast Hosting)

Podcast

The Literary Rides Podcast is hosted on Anchor, a service operated by Spotify AB. When you listen to the podcast via Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, or any other platform, your usage is governed by the privacy policy of the respective platform. We receive only aggregate listener statistics (episode plays, geographic distribution, platform breakdown) and do not receive personally identifiable listener data.

6.4 YouTube (Google LLC)

YouTube

Our YouTube channels (@literaryrides and @teachingwithtech) are operated on the YouTube platform, owned by Google LLC. Your use of YouTube is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy available at policies.google.com/privacy. We receive only aggregate channel analytics and do not receive personally identifiable viewer data.

6.5 Bluehost (Web Hosting)

literaryrides.com

The literaryrides.com website is hosted on Bluehost, operated by Newfold Digital. Bluehost may collect server logs including IP addresses for security and operational purposes. Their privacy policy is available at bluehost.com/privacy-policy.

6.6 GitHub Pages (App Hosting)

VocabPro

VocabPro is hosted on GitHub Pages, operated by GitHub Inc. (a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation). GitHub may collect standard server logs when application files are requested. Their privacy policy is available at docs.github.com.

6.7 Google Play Store

VocabPro Android

The Android version of VocabPro is distributed via the Google Play Store. Your use of Google Play is governed by Google’s Privacy Policy. The VocabPro application itself does not require a Google account and does not request permissions beyond internet access.

6.8 WPForms (Contact Form)

literaryrides.com

The contact form on literaryrides.com is powered by WPForms. Information submitted via this form is stored in the WordPress database hosted on Bluehost and is used solely to respond to your enquiry. We do not share form submissions with third parties.

Section 07

Cookies

7.1 Website (literaryrides.com)

The literaryrides.com website uses cookies for the following purposes:

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration
Essential / Functional	WordPress session management, security (Wordfence), consent record (CookieYes)	Session / up to 1 year
Analytics	Cloudflare Web Analytics (cookieless — does not set cookies)	N/A
Cache	Performance optimisation	Session

You may manage cookie preferences through the CookieYes banner displayed on your first visit to literaryrides.com, or through your browser’s cookie settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

7.2 Applications (VocabPro and forthcoming apps)

Literary Rides applications do not use cookies. Data persistence is achieved exclusively through browser localStorage, which is a device-local storage mechanism and is not transmitted over the network.

Section 08

Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law.

Data Type	Retention Period	Basis
VocabPro mailing list (name, email)	Retained until you request removal, or until we discontinue the mailing list	Consent — withdrawn at any time on request
Contact form submissions	Up to 2 years, or until the enquiry is resolved	Legitimate use in maintaining communication records
Server logs (hosting)	As determined by Bluehost / GitHub (typically 30–90 days)	Security and operational necessity
App data (localStorage)	Indefinitely, until cleared by the user	Stored on your device; not within our control
Aggregate website analytics	Up to 3 years	Legitimate use in understanding usage patterns

Upon expiry of the applicable retention period, or upon a valid deletion request, personal information is securely deleted or anonymised.

Section 09

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmitted to and from literaryrides.com and for every request made by the VocabPro application, including mailing list submissions;
• WordPress security hardening via Wordfence Security;
• Regular automated backups via UpdraftPlus to Google Drive;
• Restriction of the VocabPro mailing list Sheet to a single controlled Google account, with no third-party sharing;
• No server-side storage of learning data — all progress data remains on the user’s device;
• No collection of financial or payment information through our Services (payment processing for any future paid tiers will be handled by third-party payment processors under their own security standards).

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted to or stored by our Services.

Section 10

Children’s Privacy

Our Services are directed to teenage and adult learners preparing for competitive examinations. The VocabPro application is declared on Google Play for a target audience of 13 years and above, and is not directed to children.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. The optional VocabPro mailing list prompt is the only means by which the application collects any personal information, and it is not directed at children.

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the processing of personal data of a child (defined as an individual under 18 years of age) requires verifiable consent from a parent or lawful guardian. We do not knowingly process children’s personal data. Where a user under 18 wishes to use VocabPro, we ask that they do so without submitting their name or email address through the optional prompt — the entire application is fully usable without doing so.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that a child has provided personal information to us through the application, the contact form, or any other means, please contact us at admin@literaryrides.com and we will delete such information promptly.

Section 11

Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, you have the following rights with respect to personal information we hold about you:

11.1 Right of Access

You have the right to request a summary of the personal information we hold about you, along with information about how it is used and with whom it is shared.

11.2 Right of Correction

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you, and completion of information that is incomplete.

11.3 Right of Erasure

You have the right to request deletion of personal information we hold about you, subject to certain legal exceptions. Requests to be removed from the VocabPro mailing list are honoured on receipt and the corresponding row is deleted from the Sheet. For data stored locally in our applications, you may exercise this right directly by clearing browser or app data on your device.

11.4 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on your consent — as with the VocabPro mailing list — you have the right to withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal. Withdrawal is as simple as sending us an email requesting removal.

11.5 Right of Grievance Redressal

You have the right to a readily available means of registering a grievance with us regarding our handling of your personal data. Grievances may be submitted to the contact address in Section 15 and will be responded to within 30 days.

11.6 Right to Nominate

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, you have the right to nominate another individual to exercise your rights in the event of your death or incapacity. Nominations may be communicated to us at the contact address in Section 15.

11.7 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of the above rights, please contact us at admin@literaryrides.com with the subject line “Privacy Rights Request.” We will respond within 30 days. We may require verification of your identity before processing your request.

Section 12

App-Specific Disclosures

The following disclosures are provided for each application in the Literary Rides suite, as required by Google Play and applicable app store policies.

VocabPro — Data Safety Declaration

Category	Detail
Data collected from users	Name and email address — collected only if the user opts in through the “Join VocabPro” prompt. Optional; the application is fully functional without it.
Purpose of collection	Application updates and announcements about new Literary Rides releases
Data shared with third parties	None. Data is stored in a private Google Sheet controlled by the developer; Google acts as an infrastructure processor only.
Data stored on device	Learning progress, quiz history, SRS schedules, bookmarks, gamification records, settings (localStorage). Never transmitted.
Encryption in transit	Yes — all network requests, including mailing list submissions, use HTTPS
Data deletion	On-device data: cleared by the user via Android app settings or browser site data. Mailing list data: deleted on request by email to admin@literaryrides.com.
Account creation required	No. An optional local sign-in exists but operates entirely on-device with no server component.
Advertising	None — the application contains no advertisements and no advertising identifiers
Analytics	None — the application carries no analytics instrumentation
Permissions requested (Android)	Internet access only (required to load application resources). No camera, microphone, contacts, location, or storage permissions requested.
Text-to-Speech	Uses the device’s built-in Speech Synthesis API. No audio is recorded or transmitted.
Target audience	13 years and above

GrammarPro, SpeakPro, ReadingPro, UGC NET Pro, MockTestPro

These applications are in development and not yet publicly available. When released, each application will adhere to the same data minimisation principles as VocabPro. App-specific data safety disclosures will be added to this Policy upon each application’s release. The foundational principle will remain consistent: no personal data will be collected, transmitted, or stored on our servers without explicit user consent.

Section 13

External Links

Our Services contain links to external websites and platforms, including but not limited to:

• the-criterion.com and galaxyimrj.com (our academic journals);
• vishwanathbite.com (personal academic website);
• YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible;
• Google Play Store;
• LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites and services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external site you visit. The inclusion of a link to an external site does not constitute endorsement of that site’s privacy practices.

Section 14

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting of the revised Policy at literaryrides.com/privacy-policy. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this Policy will be revised accordingly.

We will provide notice of material changes through one or more of the following means: a notice posted prominently on literaryrides.com; an in-app notification within applicable applications; or, where we hold your email address and the change is material, notification by email.

Your continued use of the Services following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. If you do not agree to the revised Policy, you must discontinue use of the Services.

Section 15

Contact and Data Requests

For all privacy-related enquiries, data access requests, mailing list removal requests, or complaints regarding our handling of your personal information, please contact us using the details below. We are committed to resolving all enquiries within 30 days of receipt.

If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy complaint, you may escalate the matter to the Data Protection Board of India, constituted under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, or seek redress through appropriate legal channels.