Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• visitors to hfmsbook.com;
• users who register for a Humans First Series event;
• individuals who submit enquiries, questions for the event, feedback, or other materials;
• persons who interact with HFMS through email communications, website forms, or conversation features; and
• any individual whose personal data is processed in connection with Humans First Series events, website activity, community engagement, or related lawful activities.

Where required by applicable law, this Privacy Policy also applies to processing carried out outside India when connected with offering services to individuals in India.

HFMS (The Humans First Series) is an initiative associated with the book Humans First, Machines Second by Vineet Nayar, published by Penguin Business. It hosts information, tools, content, user accounts, discussion features, interactive engagement channels, contact forms, registration journeys, event pages, and related digital services.

Depending on how the website and events operate from time to time, HFMS may process personal data for one or more of the following purposes:

• creating and managing user accounts and event registrations;
• verifying user identity and maintaining account and event security;
• enabling users to communicate with HFMS or through website-enabled conversation features;
• responding to enquiries, requests, complaints, and support needs;
• providing access to website content, event features, events, communities, resources, or services;
• personalising user experience and improving site functionality;
• sending event-related communications (confirmation, reminders, post-event follow-ups) and, where permitted, other outreach;
• conducting moderation, safety review, fraud prevention, misuse detection, and platform integrity checks;
• maintaining records, logs, and audit trails;
• complying with legal obligations, law enforcement requests, court orders, and regulatory requirements; and
• any other lawful purpose specifically disclosed at the point of data collection or otherwise consented to by the user.

HFMS will process personal data only for lawful purposes and only to the extent reasonably necessary for the relevant specified purpose.

The categories of personal data HFMS may collect include:

• Full Name;
• Email Address;
• Mobile Number (optional; shared only if you wish to be part of the community);
• A question you would like to ask at the event (optional);
• communications data such as messages, chat records, conversation content, support requests, attachments, responses, feedback, and meeting or interaction notes;
• professional, organisational, educational, or preference-related information voluntarily submitted by the user;
• identity or verification details where required for security, trust, compliance, or participation in specific features;
• technical data such as IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, timestamps, log files, cookies, pixel tags, session identifiers, and usage analytics;
• email interaction data (opens, link clicks) for event-related communications;
• Google Analytics data (pages visited, time spent on the site, device type, approximate geographic location) in an anonymised and aggregated form; and
• any other personal data that the user chooses to provide through forms, uploads, conversations, surveys, registrations, or profile fields.

HFMS may also receive personal data from lawful third-party sources such as analytics vendors, authentication partners, payment intermediaries, communication service providers, or publicly available sources, to the extent permitted by law.

HFMS may permit users to voluntarily share information that they consider sensitive, confidential, financial, health-related, identity-linked, or otherwise private during registration or conversations. Users should provide only such information as is necessary for the relevant purpose and should avoid sharing unnecessary personal or third-party information.

Where HFMS seeks information that may involve higher privacy risk, HFMS will endeavour to provide an appropriate notice and obtain consent where required. Consent under applicable data protection frameworks must be limited to personal data necessary for the specified purpose, and any withdrawal of consent must be as easy as giving it.

HFMS may host articles, explainers, user-generated submissions, interactive forms, community discussions, chat interfaces, support conversations, consultation requests, event-related interactions, or similar engagement mechanisms. When users communicate through these features, HFMS may process the information shared in order to deliver the service, maintain records, moderate content, ensure safety, investigate misuse, improve response quality, and comply with legal obligations.

Users must not post, upload, transmit, or disclose personal data of another person without lawful authority. Users should also avoid sharing unlawful, defamatory, infringing, misleading, or harmful material through conversation or content features.

HFMS processes personal data in accordance with applicable law, including on the basis of user consent and, where applicable, other lawful grounds recognised under data protection frameworks. By registering for an event, ticking a consent box, clicking “I agree,” submitting information, enabling a feature, or otherwise taking clear affirmative action after being presented with an appropriate notice, the user consents to the processing of personal data for the specified purposes described at the relevant point of collection and in this Privacy Policy.

Users may withdraw consent at any time through the account/settings, privacy controls, unsubscribe option, deletion request process, or by contacting HFMS using the contact details provided below. Upon withdrawal of consent, HFMS will, within a reasonable time, cease processing the personal data unless continued processing is required or authorised by law, and prior lawful processing will remain valid up to the time of withdrawal.

HFMS may use personal data to:

• register, authenticate, and administer user accounts and event registrations;
• enable website access and account-based or event-based services;
• facilitate and maintain conversations and user interactions;
• provide requested information, services, responses, or engagement;
• verify eligibility for features, communities, programmes, or events;
• improve website content, functionality, safety, and user experience;
• conduct analytics, troubleshooting, testing, and system administration;
• protect against spam, abuse, fraud, unauthorised access, and legal risk;
• communicate about service changes, policies, security issues, and support matters;
• send event-related communications (confirmation, reminders, post-event follow-ups) and, where permitted, other outreach;
• enforce website terms, community rules, and contractual rights;
• maintain compliance records and internal governance documentation; and
• comply with legal, regulatory, judicial, or governmental obligations.

HFMS specifically uses personal data to confirm and manage event registrations, send event passes and event-related communications, understand the attendee community in an aggregated manner, facilitate meaningful conversations at events, improve website experience via Google Analytics, and respond to direct enquiries or feedback.

Where personal data is likely to be used to make a decision that affects a user or is disclosed to another controller, HFMS will endeavour to ensure the completeness, accuracy, and consistency of the personal data being processed.

HFMS may engage with users through emails (confirmation, reminders, post-event follow-ups), SMS, calls, app or browser notifications, in-platform messages, newsletters, alerts, invitations, research requests, support interactions, feedback requests, and other communication channels linked to the website and events.

Such outreach is used for:

• onboarding and registration confirmation;
• account and event verification and security alerts;
• responding to user-initiated queries or conversation threads;
• event updates, reminders, feature announcements, and administrative notices;
• event, programme, or community participation communications;
• reminders, follow-ups, and response management; and
• informational outreach related to The Humans First Series, only where legally permitted or based on valid consent.

Users may opt out of non-essential communications through unsubscribe tools, account settings, or by contacting HFMS. HFMS does not send marketing or advertising communications unrelated to the event or The Humans First Series.

HFMS may share personal data only on a need-to-know basis and only to the extent reasonably necessary with:

• event and technology service providers (for example, email platforms, analytics providers such as Google Analytics, hosting providers) who assist in delivering events and maintaining the website;
• professional advisers, auditors, consultants, and lawful contractors bound by confidentiality and data processing obligations;
• affiliates, partners, or programme collaborators where the sharing is disclosed, necessary, and lawful;
• law enforcement agencies, regulators, courts, tribunals, government authorities, or other persons where disclosure is required by law, legal process, or lawful order; and
• acquirers, successors, or counterparties in connection with restructuring, merger, acquisition, or transfer of business, subject to lawful safeguards.

Under applicable data protection frameworks, a data controller remains responsible for compliance in respect of processing undertaken by it or on its behalf by a processor, and engagement of a processor must be under a valid contract.

HFMS does not sell or share personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

HFMS website uses Google Analytics and may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• understand how visitors interact with the site;
• improve website performance and user experience; and
• support event management and communication needs.

Google Analytics collects anonymised data such as pages visited, time spent on the site, device type, and approximate geographic location. This data is aggregated and does not identify you personally.

Users may manage certain cookie preferences through browser controls or website settings, although disabling some cookies may affect functionality.

HFMS will retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the specified purpose for which it was collected, or for longer where retention is necessary to comply with law, enforce legal rights, resolve disputes, maintain security records, or meet legitimate governance and audit requirements.

Specifically:

• Event-related data (name, email, mobile, question, etc.) is retained until you request deletion, or until a reasonable period after the event has concluded unless you indicate that you wish to remain part of the community;
• Email interaction data (opens, clicks) is retained for as long as needed to manage event communications and improve the quality of outreach, and then deleted or anonymised;
• Anonymised or aggregated analytics data may be retained for longer periods to support analysis and improvement of the website.

Subject to applicable law, users may have the right to:

• obtain a summary of personal data being processed and related processing activities;
• seek information about categories of recipients with whom personal data has been shared;
• request correction, completion, or updating of inaccurate or incomplete personal data;
• request erasure of personal data, subject to lawful retention needs;
• withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis of processing;
• seek grievance redressal;
• nominate another individual to exercise rights in the event of death or incapacity, to the extent recognised by law; and
• complain to the relevant supervisory authority after exhausting the grievance redressal mechanism made available by HFMS, where applicable.

To exercise any of these rights, users may use in-platform controls where available or contact HFMS using the details stated below.

HFMS will provide users with an option to request deletion or erasure of personal data from the site, subject to verification of identity and subject to any lawful requirement to retain part or all of the information. A deletion request may lead to closure or restriction of the relevant account, event access, conversation access, or related services.

Where HFMS is required to retain certain information for legal compliance, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, security, accounting, taxation, or enforcement of rights, such information may be retained for that limited purpose and deleted or anonymised thereafter.

To request that your personal data be removed, write to contact@hfmsbook.com. HFMS will delete your personal data within 15 working days of receiving your request, subject to verification of identity and any lawful requirement to retain certain information.

Users are requested to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information and not to impersonate another person or suppress material information when submitting data through HFMS. Relevant data protection laws place duties on users not to impersonate others, not to suppress material information in certain contexts, and to furnish authentic information when exercising correction or erasure rights.

HFMS may request updated information where necessary to maintain accurate records, provide services, or comply with legal obligations.

HFMS (The Humans First Series events and website) are not intended for children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have received personal data from a child without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete such data.

HFMS will not knowingly undertake tracking, behavioural monitoring, or targeted advertising directed at children where prohibited by law.

HFMS implements reasonable technical, organisational, contractual, and administrative safeguards to protect personal data against unauthorised access, misuse, disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction. These measures may include access controls, encryption, secure transmission, audit logging, contractual restrictions, staff confidentiality obligations, and incident response procedures.

Data protection laws require controllers to take reasonable security safeguards to prevent personal data breach and to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures for compliance. No system can be guaranteed absolutely secure, and users should also exercise caution while sharing information online.

In the event of a personal data breach, HFMS will take such steps as may be required under applicable law, including assessment, containment, remediation, internal escalation, and notification to affected individuals and the competent authority where required.

Applicable data protection laws may require intimation of personal data breaches to the supervisory authority and each affected user in the prescribed form and manner.

HFMS may use infrastructure, vendors, or support services located outside India. Where personal data is transferred or accessed across borders (for example, through Google Analytics, email platforms, or hosting providers), HFMS will do so subject to applicable law and any restrictions or safeguards notified by the relevant government authority.

The HFMS website may contain links to third-party websites, embedded services, payment gateways, social media features, or external tools. HFMS is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party platforms not controlled by HFMS.

Users should review the relevant privacy policies of such third parties before sharing personal data with them.

HFMS will maintain an effective grievance redressal mechanism and publish business contact details of the person authorised to answer questions and address privacy-related concerns, as contemplated by applicable law.

For the purposes of this policy, the data controller is Vineet Nayar, operating under The Humans First Series event brand. Any questions about your data or this policy should be directed to:

Privacy / Grievance Contact: The Humans First Series
Email: contact@hfmsbook.com

Users may contact HFMS for privacy concerns, consent withdrawal, correction requests, deletion requests, access requests, or grievances at the above details.

A user should first use HFMS’s grievance redressal mechanism before escalating the matter to the relevant supervisory authority, where applicable under law.

HFMS may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, website functionality, data practices, or event operations. The updated version may be posted on the website with a revised effective date.

Where required, HFMS may seek renewed or updated consent for materially changed processing activities.

By registering for a Humans First Series event on hfmsbook.com, the user acknowledges that she/he/they has/have read the Privacy Policy and consents to the collection and processing of personal data (including name, email, optional mobile number, and a question for the event) for event registration, event pass issuance, event-related communications (confirmation, reminders, post-event follow-ups), community participation (if opted), website analytics via Google Analytics, and the other specified purposes disclosed on the platform, subject to the right to withdraw consent, seek correction, and request erasure within 15 working days by contacting contact@hfmsbook.com.