Privacy Notice
1. Introduction
At Sannam S4 Group and its affiliate company Sannam S4 Acumen India Pvt Ltd ("Sanam S4", "We" "'Company", "our', or 'us"), we believe that trust is built on transparency. Whether you’re a student, client, partner, applicant, employee, or visitor, our commitment is to handle your personal data respectfully and responsibly.
Purpose
Privacy Notice explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use and protect it, and what rights you have regarding your information.
We’re dedicated to complying with global data privacy standards, including:
-
General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (“GDPR”)
-
United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”), as retained in UK law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
-
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP”)
-
California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”)
-
California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (“CPRA” which amends and expands the CCPA)
-
Act on the Protection of Personal Information (“APPI”), Japan
-
Privacy Act 1988, Australia
-
Law on Cyberinformation Security and the Personal Data Protection Decree 13/2023/ND-CP, Vietnam
Who We Are
We’re a global market-entry and expansion partner. Born in New Delhi in 2008, today Sannam S4 Group operates in over 50 countries, serving clients across higher education, non-profits, corporates, and government bodies.
Our offerings include:
-
Strategic advisory
-
In-country representation
-
International student recruitment and mobility
-
Entity setup and compliance services
-
Recruitment, payroll, and HR support
Who This Notice Applies To
This Notice applies to anyone whose data we process, including but not limited to:
-
Clients, universities, nonprofits, and government partners
-
Students, trainees, and research program participants
-
Job applicants, employees, contractors, and interns
-
Vendors, suppliers, and service providers
-
Website or platform visitors
-
Any individual whose data we lawfully receive as part of our services
If you interact with Sannam S4 or if we collect personal data about you, this Notice explains what it means for you.
Key Definitions
-
Personal Data: Information that identifies or could identify you like your name, email, ID numbers, or IP address.
-
Processing: Any action involving your data—collection, storage, use, disclosure, or deletion.
-
Data Subject/Data Principal: The person whose personal data is being processed (that’s you).
-
Data Controller/Data Fiduciary: We make decisions about how and why your data is processed (that’s us).
-
Data Processor: Third parties acting on our behalf for providing certain services.
2. PERSONAL DATA WE COLLECT
At Sannam S4 Group, we believe that privacy and innovation can go hand in hand. Whether we’re helping institutions expand globally, facilitating student mobility, or advising organizations on international operations, we strive to collect only the Personal Data that is necessary, relevant, and respectful of your privacy preferences.
The information we collect and how we use it depends on how you interact with us and how you choose to manage your data rights and privacy settings.
When you register for an event, webinar, or in-person session organised by us, we may collect personal data such as your name, email address, organisation, job title, professional interests, and other information required for registration, attendance, and post-event engagement.
We may also record online sessions (with prior notice) for internal use, post-event summaries, or for making event content available to other attendees or registrants.
We may collect personal data in three ways:
(i) directly from you,
(ii) automatically through your interaction with our services, and
(iii) from authorized third parties.
1. Data You Provide
We collect Personal Data that you voluntarily provide to us when you engage with our services whether as a student, partner, client, employee, consultant, vendor, or visitor. This includes, but is not limited to:
-
Name and Contact Data: Your first and last names, work or personal email address, mobile and landline numbers, mailing address, job title, and the name of your organization or institution.
-
Demographic Data: Information such as your nationality, date of birth, gender, language preference, country of residence, and visa or immigration status.
-
Identity and Verification Data: Passport numbers, Aadhaar or other national IDs, visa details, government-issued photo ID, professional certifications, or other documentation provided for onboarding, verification, or international mobility purposes.
-
Professional and Academic Data: Your CV/resume, educational qualifications, employer history, LinkedIn profile, academic transcripts, certifications, references, or letters of recommendation, typically collected during applications.
-
Billing and Payment Details: Data needed to process payments or disbursements, such as your bank account number, payment instrument, invoicing address, GST/PAN numbers, and other financial identifiers.
-
Customer Support or Service Interactions: Details you provide when contacting us for support, submitting queries, participating in surveys, requesting program information, or attending consultations.
-
Other Information: Any additional data you choose to provide, such as during onboarding, through event registration forms, webinar Q&As, satisfaction surveys, or internal compliance disclosures.
2. Data We Collect Automatically
When you interact with our websites, digital platforms, emails, or services, we may automatically collect certain technical and usage-related information. This helps us secure our systems, improve your user experience, and analyze how our platforms are being used. This may include:
-
IP Address: Your Internet Protocol address, which may also reveal approximate geographic location like city or country.
-
Usage Data: Details such as the pages you visit, time spent on each page, clicks, scrolls, and navigation paths.
-
Access Timestamps: When you log in, log out, or visit a particular feature or tool on our platform.
-
Location Data (if enabled): If you have granted permission, we may collect precise or approximate geolocation data through your device or browser.
-
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use first-party and third-party cookies, web beacons, and tracking pixels to:
-
Authenticate users and manage sessions,
-
Analyze site performance and troubleshoot issues,
-
Personalize your experience (e.g., language or region),
-
Serve relevant content or marketing.
-
3. Data We Receive from Third Parties
We may receive Personal Data about you from trusted third parties especially when it is necessary to deliver a service, process an application, or comply with a legal obligation. This may include:
-
Analytics Providers
We receive data from analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics, HubSpot) about how users interact with our website, email campaigns, or online content. -
Marketing Platforms
If you engage with our content on platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter, those platforms may share insights or campaign metrics with us. We may also receive lead forms or contact details if you sign up through a social ad. -
Business and Education Partners
Clients, institutions, or universities may share Personal Data with us to:-
Facilitate mobility programs or visa sponsorships,
-
Process student applications or professional training,
-
Coordinate business or legal support engagements.
-
-
Employment and Background Verification Vendors
During recruitment or onboarding, we may receive reference checks, criminal record verification, or educational background reports from third-party agencies. -
Publicly Available Sources
We may collect information that you have made public such as on your professional website, research portals, alumni databases, or public directories. -
Regulatory Authorities or Government Agencies
When required, we may receive tax, visa, or compliance-related data from government agencies, embassies, or regulators. -
Research and Development Datasets
Occasionally, we may acquire datasets that include audio, video, or other personal identifiers, for the purpose of improving our services or conducting anonymized research. Where applicable, we do so in strict accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction and we do not attempt to reidentify individuals who may appear therein.
Note: We only receive and process third-party data if the source has a valid legal basis for sharing it. We also enter into data sharing or processing agreements with third parties to ensure your data is handled securely.
3. PURPOSE OF PROCESSING PERSONAL DATA
We process your personal data to deliver, manage, and enhance our services in a manner that respects your privacy and complies with the applicable privacy laws. The purposes for which we process your personal data are based on the type of interaction you have with us, the services you use, and the permissions you provide. These purposes include:- Service Delivery and Account Management: To provide access to our products and services, create and maintain user accounts, authenticate users, and manage service subscriptions.
- Customer Support and Communication: To respond to your inquiries, feedback, and support requests, and to provide notifications about updates, account activity, or service availability.
- Product Improvement and Personalization: To understand how our services are used, measure engagement, and tailor content, recommendations, and user experiences based on preferences and usage data.
- Billing and Payment Processing: To facilitate transactions, process payments, manage billing accounts, and send invoices or payment confirmations.
- Marketing and Promotional Communication: To send you information about new features, products, services, events, and offers, provided you have given your consent or were permitted under applicable law. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us at dataprotection@sannams4.com
- Analytics and Performance Monitoring: To analyse usage trends, assess the performance of our services, conduct surveys, and perform data-driven research to improve service delivery and innovation.
- Security and Fraud Prevention: To monitor, detect, investigate, and prevent security incidents, fraudulent activities, and violations of our terms or policies.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: To comply with our legal obligations, respond to lawful requests from public authorities, enforce our terms of service, and protect our legal rights and interests.
- Research and Development: To develop and test new features and services, including the use of datasets for algorithmic training or AI development, provided such data usage complies with applicable laws and anonymization protocols.
4. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
- We process your personal data in accordance with the legal grounds permitted under applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR and UK GDPR), the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India), the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), the Privacy Act 1988 (Australia), and Law on Cyberinformation Security and the Personal Data Protection Decree 13/2023/ND-CP (Vietnam) and the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) of Japan.
- The legal basis we rely on will depend on the nature of the personal data, the context in which it is collected, and the jurisdiction in which we operate. The key legal grounds on which we rely are outlined below:
- Consent
- Performance of a Contract
- Legal Obligation
- Legitimate Interests
- Vital Interests
- Compliance with Local Jurisdictions
- Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India), we may rely on consent or "legitimate use" as permitted under Section 7 for purposes such as employment, compliance with legal obligations, or public interest.
- Under the CCPA (California), we process data as a “business” and ensure transparency in our data practices, provide the ability to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information, and respect consumer rights such as access, deletion, and correction.
- Under the APPI (Japan), we provide advance notice of the purpose of use and rely on consent or other statutory grounds such as contractual necessity or public interest for the collection and use of personal data. We also implement safeguards for international data transfers in accordance with law.
5. HOW WE USE PERSONAL DATA
We use the personal data we collect to enable, operate, and enhance the services we provide across our global platforms and business functions. Our use of personal data is guided by the principles of transparency, necessity, and proportionality, and always aligned with applicable legal frameworks such as the GDPR, India’s DPDP Act, CCPA/CPRA, and Japan’s APPI. The specific uses of personal data vary depending on the nature of your relationship with Sannam S4 Group, the context in which the data is collected, and the permissions you provide. The primary purposes for processing personal data are outlined below:- Service Delivery and Account Management
- Communication and Customer Support
- Personalization and User Experience
- Product Development and Improvement
- Payment Processing and Financial Transactions
- Marketing and Promotional Activities
- Analytics and Reporting
- Security and Abuse Prevention
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Protection of Interests and Legal Rights
6. HOW WE SHARE PERSONAL DATA
We do not sell your personal data. However, in the course of conducting our business and delivering services, we may share your personal data with carefully selected third parties. Such sharing is strictly limited to what is necessary, proportionate, and compliant with applicable data protection laws, including the GDPR, India’s DPDP Act, the CCPA/CPRA, and Japan’s APPI. We ensure that all recipients of personal data are subject to appropriate contractual, technical, and organizational safeguards that uphold privacy and confidentiality.- Third-Party Service Providers
- University and Institutional Partners
- Business Transfers
- Legal Requirements and Regulatory Disclosures
- Professional Advisors and Auditors
- Consent-Based Sharing
7. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL DATA
- As a globally active organisation, Sannam S4 Group operates across multiple jurisdictions and engages with clients, partners, and service providers located around the world. In the course of providing services and conducting business, your personal data may be transferred to, accessed from, or stored in countries other than your country of residence, including jurisdictions that may not offer the same level of data protection as your own.
- We are committed to ensuring that any such international transfer is conducted in full compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the EU and UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India), and Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI). Where necessary, we implement specific legal, technical, and organizational safeguards to ensure that your personal data remains protected regardless of where it is processed. When we transfer your personal data internationally, we take steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy rights and the integrity of your personal data. These safeguards may include:
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
- Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs)
- Certification Mechanisms
- Consent
- International Data Transfer Agreement as per ICO, UK
- We use service providers and infrastructure in several jurisdictions, and your data may be processed or stored in countries such as India, United States, UK, European Union, Japan etc. These locations are selected to support our global operations and to deliver services reliably and efficiently.
Regardless of where your personal data is processed, we apply the protections described in this Privacy Notice and take all necessary steps to comply with applicable legal requirements for international data transfers. If you would like more information about the specific countries to which your personal data may be transferred, or the safeguards implemented to protect your information, you may contact us at dataprotection@sannams4.com
8. DATA RETENTION
-
- We retain personal data only for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required to meet legal, regulatory, or operational obligations.
- The specific retention period depends on the nature of the data, the context in which it was collected, and the applicable legal requirements in the jurisdictions where we operate, including the GDPR (EU/UK), India’s DPDP Act, 2023, Japan’s APPI, and the California Consumer Privacy Laws
- In determining the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider several factors, including but not limited to:
- The nature, sensitivity, and classification of the data;
- The purposes for which the data was collected or subsequently processed, including contractual obligations;
- Whether there is a legal or regulatory requirement to retain the data for a defined period (e.g., tax, employment, or corporate law);
- Internal operational policies, industry guidelines, and historical recordkeeping practices;
- The likelihood of continued interaction or relationship with the user (e.g., active accounts or service usage);
- Potential legal risks or the need to preserve data for dispute resolution or enforcement of our rights.
- Once the applicable retention period has expired, or when we no longer need the data for business or legal purposes, we securely delete it or anonymize it in a manner that ensures it cannot be linked back to any individual.
9. YOUR RIGHTS AND CHOICES
- Depending on your country of residence and the applicable data protection laws, you may be entitled to certain rights regarding your personal data. These rights vary by jurisdiction but generally include access, correction, deletion, objection to processing, and portability.
- We will always honour your rights in accordance with the laws that apply to you, including the EU/UK GDPR, India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), and the California Consumer Privacy Act/California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA)
- Right to Access You have the right to request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and to obtain a copy of such data in a clear and understandable format. This right allows you to gain transparency about the categories of personal data we collect, how we use it, the types of third parties with whom it may be shared, and the duration for which it is retained. Upon your request, we will provide:
- A summary of the personal data we hold about you;
- The purposes of processing;
- The categories of personal data processed;
- The recipients or categories of recipients to whom your data may have been disclosed;
- The source of the data, if not collected directly from you;
- Where applicable, information about automated decision-making and the logic involved.
- Right to rectificationYou have the right to request the correction or update of any personal data we hold about you that is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. This ensures that the information we use and share is accurate and relevant. Depending on the nature of the data and the purpose for which it is processed, you may:
- Request that we correct factual inaccuracies (e.g., name, contact details);
- The purposes of processing;
- The categories of personal data processed;
- Request completion of incomplete data if it is relevant to the processing context;
- Provide supporting information or documentation to facilitate the correction process.
- Right to ErasureYou have the right to request the deletion of your personal data where there is no compelling reason for us to continue processing it. You may request erasure of your personal data in the following circumstances:
-
- The data is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected or processed;
- You withdraw your consent, and there is no other legal basis for processing;
- You object to the processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds to continue;
- The personal data was processed unlawfully;
- The data must be erased to comply with a legal obligation.
- To comply with a legal obligation (e.g., tax, employment, or regulatory requirements)
- For the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims;
- Where retention is required for our legitimate business interests, consistent with applicable law.
-
- Right to ObjectYou have the right to object to the processing of your personal data when it is based on our legitimate interests or is being used for direct marketing purposes. If you object to direct marketing, we will stop processing your personal data for that purpose immediately. For processing based on legitimate interests, we will consider your objection and determine whether we have compelling legitimate grounds to continue processing or whether your rights outweigh those interests.
- Right to Data PortabilityYou have the right to request that we provide you with your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. Where technically feasible, you may also request that we transfer this data directly to another data controller of your choice. This right applies when the processing is based on your consent or on a contract and is carried out by automated means.
- Right to Withdraw ConsentWhere we rely on consent to process your personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
- Right to NominateWhere permitted by applicable law, you have the right to nominate another individual to exercise your data subject rights on your behalf in the event of your incapacity or death. To exercise this right, you may be required to provide:
- A valid nomination form or legal authorization
- Proof of identity of the nominee and supporting documentation
- Any additional documentation as required by local regulations.
10. USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS
Sannam S4 Group may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in limited contexts such as candidate screening, data analysis, or service enhancement to improve efficiency and decision support. These tools are designed to assist human decision-making, not replace it.Where AI involves the processing of personal data, we ensure it is done transparently and in compliance with our obligations under the applicable privacy laws.
11. USE OF COOKIES
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website, measure performance and marketing effectiveness, and support essential site functionality. Cookies are small data files placed on your device when you visit our site. Here’s how we use them:
- Strictly Necessary Cookies
- Performance Cookies
- Functionality Cookies
- Targeting (Advertising) Cookies
- Set by advertising partners, these cookies help build interest-based profiles and deliver more relevant ads. Depending on their specifics, they may involve personal data about your browsing habits. sannams4.com
- We also use tracking pixels, web beacons, and similar tools for analytics and marketing purposes, such as analysing cookie data, performance metrics, and tracking interactions with marketing content.
- When you first visit our site, we request your consent to use non-essential cookies. If you decline, we will not use them for that session though strictly necessary cookies remain active. We use both session cookies (which are erased when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stay until they expire or are manually removed). Disabling cookies may limit some features and functionality of the website.
12. Targeting (Advertising) Cookies
- Set by advertising partners, these cookies help build interest-based profiles and deliver more relevant ads. Depending on their specifics, they may involve personal data about your browsing habits. sannams4.com
- We also use tracking pixels, web beacons, and similar tools for analytics and marketing purposes, such as analysing cookie data, performance metrics, and tracking interactions with marketing content.
- When you first visit our site, we request your consent to use non-essential cookies. If you decline, we will not use them for that session though strictly necessary cookies remain active. We use both session cookies (which are erased when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stay until they expire or are manually removed). Disabling cookies may limit some features and functionality of the website.
13. DATA SECURITY AND INTEGRITY
- We are committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. To achieve this, we implement a range of technical and organizational security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure of your personal data. Our security framework includes, but is not limited to:
- Use of robust encryption protocols for data in transit and at rest to safeguard sensitive information;
- Role-based access controls and secure authentication mechanisms to restrict access to authorized personnel only;
- Regular security assessments, including vulnerability scans and penetration testing, to proactively identify and address risks;
- Real-time system monitoring and anomaly detection to identify potential threats and ensure rapid response;
- Ongoing staff training and awareness programs to promote a culture of data security and privacy compliance;
- Established incident response and data breach notification procedures to act swiftly and lawfully in the event of a security incident.
- Sannam S4 Is ISO 27001: 2022 Certified.
- Access to personal data is granted strictly on a need-to-know basis and is limited to employees, contractors, and service providers who are bound by contractual confidentiality obligations and are required to follow our data protection standards.
14. PRIVACY OF CHILDREN DATA
- Protecting the privacy of children is of paramount importance to Sannam S4 Group. Our services and websites are not directed at, nor intended for use by, children under the age of 16 (or such other age as defined under applicable local laws, such as 13 under CCPA and 18 under India's DPDP Act for specific processing purposes).
- We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or process personal data from children without verifiable parental consent, unless we are legally required or permitted to do so under applicable laws. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child without the appropriate consent or legal basis, we will take immediate steps to delete that information.
- Where our business activities involve engaging with minors such as in the context of higher education consulting, scholarship facilitation, or recruitment serviceswe ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place. This includes:
- Obtaining explicit consent from parents or legal guardians before collecting or using any personal data;
- Limiting the data collected to what is necessary and proportionate;
- Ensuring secure processing and restricted access to such data; and
- Providing transparency regarding the purpose and duration of data use.
15. Updates to This Privacy Notice
- Sannam S4 Group does not do any automated decision-making processes that produce legal or similarly significant effects on individuals, as defined under privacy regulations such as the EU/UK GDPR, India’s DPDP Act, Japan’s APPI, and California’s CCPA.
- Where we use limited forms of automation such as analysing job applications, user preferences, or engagement data it is strictly for the purpose of enhancing service efficiency, personalisation, or operational analytics. These processes do not result in decisions that significantly affect your rights or access to services without meaningful human involvement.
- Any profiling or segmentation we perform is done under the following safeguards:
- Data used in such activities is limited, proportionate, and pseudonymised or aggregated where possible;
- Profiling is not used to make decisions about eligibility, performance, or access to services without human review;
- We do not use profiling for behavioural advertising or sensitive inferences without your consent; and
- Individuals retain the right to object to profiling, request human intervention, and receive explanations about any such processing.
