Privacy notice

This notice explains what personal data Product Circle collects when you apply to join or take part in the community, why we collect it, who we share it with and how you can exercise your rights under India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). If anything here is unclear, write to team@productcircle.club.

Who we are

Product Circle is a by-application community for product managers, run by the team behind Mehman. For the personal data described here, Product Circle is the data fiduciary: we decide why and how it is processed. You can reach us at team@productcircle.club.

What we collect

When you apply

The application form asks for:

• Full name
• Email address
• WhatsApp number (with country code)
• Current role or title
• Company
• Years in product
• City
• LinkedIn profile URL
• Your answer to "What's one product decision you're proud of, and why?"
• What you want from the community

We only collect what you type into the form. We do not ask for passwords, government IDs, financial details or any sensitive personal data, and you should not include them in your answers.

When you are a member

If your application is accepted, we use your name, WhatsApp number, role, company and the one-line tagline you agree to so we can add you to the member groups and introduce you to other members. What you post in member groups, AMAs, teardowns and meetups is visible to other members.

When you visit this website

This website does not use advertising or analytics cookies, and it does not ask you to log in. Our hosting provider keeps standard server logs (such as IP address, browser type and the pages requested) for security and to keep the site running.

Why we use your data

We use your personal data only to:

1. Review your application. A person on the team reads every application.
2. Contact you about it. We email or message you about the outcome.
3. Run the community. If you are accepted, we add you to the member groups, introduce you with your tagline, and send you details of AMAs, teardowns, chai meetups and office hours.
4. Keep the community safe. We may use your details to deal with misuse or a breach of the community's norms.

We do not sell your personal data, and we do not use it for advertising.

Consent

When you submit the application form, you consent to us processing the data in it for the purposes above. You can withdraw that consent at any time by emailing team@productcircle.club. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that happened before you withdrew it, but it does mean we will stop reviewing your application or remove you from the member groups.

Who we share it with

• Service providers who process data for us. Applications are collected through Google Forms and stored in Google Workspace. Member groups run on WhatsApp. The website is hosted on Vercel. These providers process data on their own infrastructure, which may be outside India, under their own terms.
• Other members. If you are accepted, other members can see your name, intro and tagline, and anything you share in the community.
• When the law requires it. We may disclose data if we are legally required to.

We do not share your application answers with employers, investors or anyone outside the team without your permission.

How long we keep it

• Applications that are not accepted: we delete them within 12 months of our decision, or sooner if you ask.
• Members: we keep your details while you are a member, and delete them within 90 days of you leaving or asking to be removed.
• Server logs: kept by our hosting provider for a short period under its own retention policy.

Your rights

Under the DPDP Act you have the right to:

• Access: ask for a summary of the personal data we hold about you and how we use it.
• Correction and updating: ask us to correct or complete data that is inaccurate or out of date.
• Erasure: ask us to delete your personal data when it is no longer needed for the purpose you gave it for.
• Withdraw consent: at any time, as described above.
• Grievance redressal: raise a complaint with us and get a response.
• Nominate: name another person to exercise these rights on your behalf if you die or become unable to.

To exercise any of these rights, email team@productcircle.club from the address you applied with. We will respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the Data Protection Board of India.

Children

Product Circle is for working professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you think someone under 18 has applied, email us and we will delete their application.

Security

Access to applications and member details is limited to the team members who run the community. We rely on the security controls of Google Workspace, WhatsApp and Vercel, and we review who has access regularly. If we become aware of a personal data breach that affects you, we will tell you and the Data Protection Board as the law requires.

Changes to this notice

If we change how we handle personal data, we will update this page and the date at the top. If a change is significant, we will tell members directly.

Contact and grievances

For questions, requests or complaints about your personal data, email team@productcircle.club. See also contact and how to join.