PRIVACY, DATA & USAGE POLICY
Plastic Shoonya Schools
An Initiative of Youth Action For Change Foundation
www.plasticshoonya.in
Effective Date: April 2025 | Version 3.0
Plastic Shoonya Schools is an educational programme for school-aged participants (under 18). All Platform accounts are institutional accounts registered by schools using official school credentials. Students do not register independently. Access is granted only after manual institutional verification by the Plastic Shoonya team (Clause 5).
The Inspiration Board is a publicly accessible section of the Platform, visible to any internet user without login. Photographs, activity descriptions, and school names uploaded by Registered Schools are displayed on this page. Schools are solely responsible for ensuring all uploaded content complies with applicable law and that all required parental/guardian consents have been obtained before submission (Clause 8).
By completing sign-up and ticking the acceptance checkbox, the Registered School confirms it has read, understood, and agreed to this Policy in full, and that it is authorised to bind the school to its terms.
1.1 Plastic Shoonya Schools (“Plastic Shoonya,” “We,” “Us,” or “Our”) is an educational initiative focused on empowering students and schools to reduce single-use plastic waste and to cultivate awareness of environmental responsibility, sustainable behaviour, and related social issues among young people.
1.2 Plastic Shoonya Schools operates as a programme of Youth Action For Change Foundation (“YACF” or “the Foundation”), a government-registered not-for-profit organisation registered under the laws of India. All activities conducted under the Plastic Shoonya name, including operation of this Platform, administration of the Challenge, and the use of any data or Submitted Content, are undertaken under the aegis of YACF.
1.3 The website www.plasticshoonya.in is the digital platform through which the programme is administered (“Platform”). The domain and Platform are operated under and on behalf of Youth Action For Change Foundation.
1.4 Plastic Shoonya is a programme name and public-facing identity. The Foundation may, at its discretion, seek formal registration or trademarking of the Plastic Shoonya name in the future. Any such formalisation shall be deemed continuous with this Policy and shall not affect any rights previously assigned or granted hereunder.
1.5 For purposes of the DPDP Act, 2023, YACF operating through Plastic Shoonya Schools acts as the Data Fiduciary in respect of personal data collected through the Platform.
1.6 The scope of the initiative may, at the Foundation’s discretion, be expanded to encompass related themes including environmental sustainability, behavioural science and decision-making among youth, social responsibility, and civic awareness. This Policy shall apply to all such expanded activities and any future programmes, platforms, or digital products launched under the Plastic Shoonya or YACF identity.
This Policy applies to all schools and educational institutions that register on the Platform (“Registered Schools”); all teachers, school coordinators, and staff interacting with the Platform on behalf of a Registered School (“School Representatives”); all students who participate in any Programme through a Registered School’s account (“Participants”); parents or guardians of Participants; and any person who accesses or uses the Platform in any capacity. By accessing the Platform or submitting content, you confirm you have read, understood, and agree to this Policy.
4.1 All accounts are institutional accounts. Accounts may only be created by a duly authorised representative of a school using that institution’s official email address or credentials. Students are strictly prohibited from independently creating accounts or submitting content directly.
4.2 By creating an account, the Registered School confirms that:
4.3 Once an account is activated, all actions taken through that account – including all submissions, uploads, descriptions, and other platform interactions – are conclusively deemed to be authorised acts of the Registered School, undertaken by or under the oversight of an authorised School Representative. Plastic Shoonya is entitled to rely entirely on this assumption and bears no responsibility whatsoever for verifying the identity or authority of any person operating the account on a day-to-day basis.
4.4 Plastic Shoonya reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate any account found to be in violation of this Policy, without notice and without liability.
5.1 Plastic Shoonya operates a mandatory institutional verification process. Sign-up form submission does not activate an account. Activation is conditional on successful completion of this process.
5.2 Upon receiving a sign-up submission from a school’s official email address, Plastic Shoonya will contact the school via the registered email address and / or by telephone at the number provided, to confirm that the registration has been made by a functioning educational institution and that the School Representative exists and is associated with that institution.
5.3 Scope of Verification. The verification process described in this Clause is limited exclusively to confirming institutional identity – i.e., that an actual school has created the account. This verification does not, and is not designed to:
5.4 Beyond institutional identity verification, Plastic Shoonya proceeds on the assumption – which it is entirely entitled to make – that the account is operated by an authorised School Representative who has complied, and continues to comply, with all applicable parental consent, safeguarding, data protection, and child welfare obligations. Plastic Shoonya bears no liability for any failure by the school to meet these obligations.
5.5 Plastic Shoonya may decline any registration without providing reasons. The decision to grant or withhold access is entirely at its discretion and is final.
6.1 The Platform contains the following publicly accessible features that do not require a user to be logged in:
6.2 Schools are aware and expressly acknowledge at the point of registration that content submitted through their account may be displayed publicly on the Inspiration Board and other public-facing sections of the Platform, visible to any person with internet access anywhere in the world, without any login requirement.
6.3 Plastic Shoonya may use Submitted Content across its other channels including social media, print materials, donor communications, and programme documentation, as further described in Clause 11.
School name, type, board affiliation, address, and official contact details; name, designation, official email address, and telephone number of the School Representative; and details submitted during the verification process.
Submitted through the school’s account: first names or pseudonyms; class and age group; written assignments, challenge responses, and project submissions; photographs and videos involving students; artwork and student-produced materials; challenge scores and participation records.
Standard technical data (IP addresses, browser type, device identifiers, usage logs) collected solely for operating and securing the Platform. Not used for behavioural profiling or advertising.
The Inspiration Board is a publicly accessible, non-gated section of the Platform on which photographs, activity captions, and school names submitted by Registered Schools are displayed to showcase real-world programme activities. This page is visible to any person with an internet connection, without requiring any account, login, or registration.
By uploading any content to the Platform, the Registered School explicitly acknowledges and accepts that:
It is the sole, absolute, and non-delegable responsibility of the Registered School to review every photograph or video before submitting it to the Platform and to ensure that:
Plastic Shoonya strongly recommends that schools seek explicit written media consent from parents/guardians using their own school media release forms before submitting any photograph or video involving students. A model media consent form is available from Plastic Shoonya on request.
Plastic Shoonya will make reasonable efforts, within the limits of its operational capacity, to review content submitted to the Inspiration Board. However:
IMPORTANT – DEEMED CONSENT PROVISION
Where a Registered School uploads Identifiable Content – that is, any photograph, video, or material in which a student Participant’s face, name, or other identifying detail is visible and recognisable, without having masked, blurred, or obscured that identifying detail – such upload shall constitute and be conclusively treated as:
(a) a representation by the Registered School that it holds valid, documented, verifiable parental/guardian consent for each identifiable Participant, specifically covering the public display of that Participant’s image and details on the Platform and in any other media as described in Clause 11;
(b) a warranty that the parents/guardians of each identifiable Participant have been informed that images will be publicly visible on www.plasticshoonya.in and may be used by Plastic Shoonya/YACF for promotional and programme purposes;
(c) an irrevocable confirmation that the school has discharged all its obligations under the DPDP Act, POCSO Act, and any other applicable law in respect of that content; and
(d) a complete indemnity to Plastic Shoonya and YACF against any claim, complaint, or legal action brought by or on behalf of any identifiable Participant or their parent/guardian in connection with that content.
8.6 This Deemed Consent provision does not reduce or replace the school’s obligation under Clause 8.3 to obtain actual, documented parental/guardian consent before uploading Identifiable Content. It establishes the legal position that applies as between Plastic Shoonya and the school in circumstances where such content is uploaded.
8.7 Plastic Shoonya’s liability in connection with any Identifiable Content submitted by a Registered School is nil. The Registered School bears sole and absolute legal responsibility for all Identifiable Content submitted through its account.
9.1 All Participants are children (persons below 18) under the DPDP Act and are accorded the highest level of protection. Consistent with Section 9 of the DPDP Act and DPDP Rules 2025, no personal data of a Participant will be processed without verifiable parental/guardian consent, which the Registered School is responsible for obtaining and documenting.
9.2 The school-only account structure is a deliberate child-safety design. No minor independently creates or operates an account. All Platform interactions involving students occur under institutional supervision.
9.3 Plastic Shoonya will not track, behaviourally monitor, commercially profile, or direct targeted advertising at any Participant.
9.4 In the event of a personal data breach, Plastic Shoonya will notify affected schools and, where required, the Data Protection Board of India within prescribed timelines.
Note to Schools: Before submitting any photograph or video in which a student is identifiable, ensure you hold a signed media consent form from that student’s parent/guardian that explicitly covers public display on an internet-accessible website. A model form is available on request from Plastic Shoonya.
We process personal data for: administering and operating the Programme; conducting school verification; maintaining the Leaderboard and Inspiration Board; communicating with Registered Schools; providing educational resources; producing promotional and advocacy content; furthering YACF’s mission; documenting programme impact for grants and donor reporting; and complying with legal obligations. Legal bases are consent, legitimate interests of YACF in operating a public-benefit programme, and legal compliance. We do not process data for advertising or commercial profiling.
11.1 Assignment. By submitting any Submitted Content, the Registered School irrevocably assigns to Youth Action For Change Foundation (operating as Plastic Shoonya Schools) all rights, title, and interest including all intellectual property rights in that content, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11.2 Licence. The school also grants YACF/Plastic Shoonya a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sub-licensable licence to use, reproduce, adapt, edit, distribute, publish, broadcast, and otherwise exploit the Submitted Content in any format and through any medium – including print, digital, social media, broadcast, and educational publications – at any time and in any manner YACF/Plastic Shoonya may deem fit.
11.3 Permitted Uses include: promotional and marketing materials; social media content and website display; educational publications and awareness campaigns; grant applications, impact reports, and donor communications; presentations, exhibitions, and programme documentation; materials related to any future programme operated by YACF or Plastic Shoonya including those related to behavioural science, youth education, civic awareness, or social responsibility; and any use YACF/Plastic Shoonya considers appropriate in furtherance of its non-profit mission.
11.4 No Payment Obligation. The assignment and licence are royalty-free. Plastic Shoonya has no obligation to pay or credit the school, Participants, or their families in connection with any use of Submitted Content.
11.5 School Warranty. By submitting content the school warrants it holds all rights necessary for the assignment and licence; has obtained parent/guardian consent covering all uses in this Clause; has informed parents/guardians that content becomes the property of YACF/Plastic Shoonya and may be used at its absolute discretion; and the content does not infringe any third-party rights.
11.6 Responsible Use. YACF/Plastic Shoonya shall exercise rights over Submitted Content in a manner consistent with the dignity and safety of student Participants and in compliance with applicable child protection law.
12.1 All evaluations, scoring, rankings, and decisions made by Plastic Shoonya/YACF in connection with the Programme – including point awards, leaderboard rankings, winner selection, certification, and all other programme determinations – are made at the sole and absolute discretion of Plastic Shoonya/YACF and are final, conclusive, and binding.
12.2 No correspondence will be entered into, and no challenge, objection, appeal, litigation, arbitration, or other proceeding may be brought by any school, student, parent, or third party in respect of any such decision.
12.3 Plastic Shoonya/YACF reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Programme, change scoring criteria, disqualify any school or Participant, and withhold or revoke any award or certification, all without notice and without liability.
We do not sell personal data. We may share data with: technology and hosting service providers under appropriate data processing agreements; partner organisations, sponsors, or government bodies for Programme delivery, subject to appropriate safeguards; on the public Leaderboard (school name, city, and completion percentage only); other YACF programmes in connection with expanded activities; and as required by law or competent authority. Individual student personal data will not be publicly displayed beyond what is inherent in Submitted Content uploaded by the school itself.
Submitted Content assigned to YACF/Plastic Shoonya under Clause 11 may be retained indefinitely. School registration and verification records will be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years. Student Personal Data not forming part of Submitted Content will be deleted when no longer necessary. Consent records must be retained by the school for a minimum of three (3) years after last participation.
Parents/guardians of Participants have the right to access, correct, and request erasure of personal data; withdraw consent (noting this does not affect prior processing or the irrevocable assignment under Clause 11); nominate a representative; and lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Board of India. Requests should be directed to us at the contact details in Clause 18.
We implement reasonable technical and organisational security measures to protect personal data. Schools are responsible for maintaining the security of their account credentials and must notify us immediately upon suspecting any unauthorised access.
17.1 The Platform and Programme are provided on an “as is” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Plastic Shoonya and YACF disclaim all warranties of any kind.
17.2 Neither Plastic Shoonya nor YACF shall be liable for: any loss or harm arising from Submitted Content uploaded by a school; any failure to obtain or maintain parental/guardian consents; any violation of applicable law by a school in connection with uploaded content; any claim arising from the public display of Identifiable Content submitted by a school; any indirect or consequential damages arising from Programme participation; or any claim by a student, parent, or third party arising from content submitted by a school.
17.3 Indemnity. The Registered School indemnifies and holds harmless Plastic Shoonya, YACF, and each of their respective founders, officers, team members, and associated persons from all claims, liabilities, fines, penalties, costs, and expenses (including legal costs) arising from: (a) the school’s breach of this Policy; (b) any failure to obtain, maintain, or document required parental/guardian consents; (c) any content uploaded in violation of applicable law; (d) any claim by a student, parent, or third party in connection with Identifiable Content submitted by the school; or (e) any act or omission of the school or its representatives.
17.4 This indemnity is unconditional and shall not be limited or reduced by any contributory act or omission of Plastic Shoonya, including the exercise of any content review or moderation activity under Clause 8.4.
We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to Registered Schools by email and/or through a prominent notice on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform following notification constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.
This Policy is governed by the laws of India. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Policy, the Platform, or the Programme shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi, India.
Grievance Officer – Plastic Shoonya Schools
Youth Action For Change Foundation
🌐 Website: www.plasticshoonya.in
📞 Phone: +91 97171 40071
We will endeavour to acknowledge all queries within 72 hours and resolve grievances within 30 days of receipt.
By ticking the acceptance checkbox on the sign-up form and/or by using the Platform, the authorised School Representative declares and confirms on behalf of the school that:
Authorised Signatory:
Full Name | Designation | Date | Official School Stamp
— End of Policy —
This Policy is issued by Youth Action For Change Foundation, operating through Plastic Shoonya Schools.
Governed by the laws of India. All disputes subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in New Delhi.