Table of Contents
Quick Navigation
- Introduction & Disclaimer
- Definitions
- Information We Collect
- Legal Basis for Processing
- How We Use Your Information
- Data Storage & Security
- Data Sharing & Third Parties
- Your Rights & Choices
- Data Retention
- Security Measures
- Children's Privacy
- Open Source & Credits
- Changes to This Policy
- Contact Information
Introduction & Important Disclaimer
This Privacy Policy ("Policy") governs the collection, use, and protection of information in connection with the StudentCC mobile application ("App") developed by Salman Malvasi ("Developer"), a student at Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai campus.
Important Legal Disclaimer
StudentCC is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, or a product of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), VIT Chennai, or any associated entities. This is an independent, open-source third-party application created by a VIT Chennai student to provide an enhanced interface for accessing academic information. VIT has no involvement in the development, maintenance, support, or operation of this application. Users access the App at their own risk and are solely responsible for compliance with VIT's terms of service and acceptable use policies.
Definitions
Information We Collect
1. Academic Information (Fetched from VTOP)
When you authenticate with your VTOP credentials, the App fetches and stores the following academic information locally and exclusively on your device:
- Full name and registration/enrollment number
- Student profile details (program, specialization, batch year)
- Course information, course codes, and course titles
- Timetable and class schedules
- Attendance records and attendance percentages
- Grades, marks, and cumulative GPA/CGPA
- Academic calendar and exam schedules
2. Authentication Credentials
Your Login Credentials Are Protected
The App does NOT store, log, cache, transmit, or retain your VTOP username or password. Credentials are used solely for direct authentication with the official VTOP portal on your device and are immediately discarded after each session. Neither the Developer nor any third party has access to your credentials.
3. Anonymous Usage Analytics
The App utilizes Firebase Analytics to collect anonymized, aggregated data to improve functionality and user experience. This data cannot identify you personally and includes:
- Application event logs (feature usage, screen views, button interactions)
- Device characteristics (operating system version, device model, app version)
- Aggregated location data (country or region level only)
- Crash reports and error logs
- Session duration and frequency
This data is not linked to your personal identity or VTOP account.
4. Locally Stored Information
The App may store the following on your device for offline access and performance:
- User preferences and app settings
- Cached academic data
- Notification preferences
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your information on the following legal bases:
- Performance of Service: Processing is necessary to provide the App's core functionality at your request.
- Legitimate Interest: We have a legitimate interest in improving the App's performance and user experience through anonymized analytics.
- Compliance with Law: We may process data to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or lawful requests.
- User Consent: For non-essential features, we obtain your explicit consent before processing.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes only:
- Service Delivery: To display, manage, and provide access to your academic information within the App.
- Feature Enhancement: To provide features such as GPA calculation, timetable management, and attendance tracking.
- Notifications: To send you notifications about classes, exams, or attendance alerts (with your permission).
- App Improvement: To analyze anonymous usage patterns, identify performance issues, and develop features students find valuable.
- Security & Fraud Prevention: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and unauthorized access.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, or lawful government requests.
We will never use your information for marketing, profiling, or commercial purposes.
Data Storage & Security
On-Device Storage
All your personal academic information is stored exclusively on your device in a private, secure local database. This data is never uploaded to external servers, cloud storage, or any remote location. You maintain complete physical control over your data.
Encryption in Transit
All communication between the App and the official VTOP portal is encrypted using industry-standard HTTPS/TLS protocols with end-to-end encryption. This protects your data from interception during transmission.
Credential Handling
VTOP credentials are not stored by the App. They are used only for authenticating directly with VIT's official servers and are not retained in any form.
Firebase Analytics
Analytics data is transmitted to Google's secure servers with encryption in transit. This data cannot identify you or connect to your personal academic information.
Data Sharing & Third Parties
We do not sell, trade, rent, or share your personally identifiable academic information with any third parties under any circumstances.
Limited Third-Party Sharing
- Firebase Analytics (Google): Receives only anonymized, aggregated usage data. Google cannot identify you from this data.
- VTOP Portal (VIT): Direct communication occurs only when you authenticate. VIT does not receive data from us; you communicate directly.
- Law Enforcement: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government authority. We will provide notice where legally permitted.
Your Rights & Choices
You have the following rights regarding your data:
- Access: You can view all data stored within the App at any time through the App's interface.
- Deletion: You can permanently delete all locally stored data by using the "Clear Data" function in the App's settings or by uninstalling the App.
- Opt-Out of Analytics: You can disable analytics tracking through the App's privacy settings (if available in your App version).
- Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw consent for any non-essential data processing at any time.
- Data Portability: You can export or access your data in a portable format where applicable.
Data Retention
- Personal Academic Data: Retained on your device as long as the App is installed. Deleted when you uninstall the App or use the clear data function.
- Anonymous Analytics Data: Retained by Google (Firebase) according to Google's data retention policies, typically for 14 months.
- Logs & Crash Reports: Deleted after 90 days unless required by law.
Security Measures
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:
- Secure local storage with device-level encryption where available
- HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data in transit
- Regular security audits and code reviews (open-source repository)
- No credential storage or unnecessary data retention
- Compliance with industry-standard security practices
However, no security system is completely risk-free. While we implement robust protections, transmission of information via the internet is never completely secure. You use the App at your own risk.
Children's Privacy
The App is intended for educational use by students, some of whom may be minors. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, except as required for educational functionality. Parents who believe their child has provided information to the App should contact us immediately. StudentCC complies with applicable children's privacy laws including COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) where applicable.
Open Source & Credits
StudentCC is an open-source project, meaning the source code is publicly available for review, audit, and contribution. This ensures complete transparency in how the App processes and handles your data. You can independently verify our privacy and security claims.
- Current Repository: github.com/Salmanmalvasi/StudentCC
- Original Repository: github.com/therealsujitk/android-vtop-chennai
- License: Please refer to the repository for licensing information.
StudentCC is an enhanced version built upon the original "VTOP Chennai" application developed by Sujit Kumar. We gratefully acknowledge this foundational work and the open-source community.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. Material changes will be communicated to users through the App or this page. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of the App following notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.
Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, requests, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, your data, or our privacy practices, please contact:
- Developer: Salman Malvasi
- Email: salmanmalvasi3@gmail.com
- GitHub Issues: Report an Issue
- Response Time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 14 days.
Additional Resources
- VIT's Privacy Policy: Visit the official VIT website
- VTOP Portal Terms: Available within the VTOP application
- Google Firebase Privacy: Google Privacy Policy
Legal Acknowledgments
By using the StudentCC application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use the App. This policy is governed by applicable laws in India and any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.