Compliance

Statement of Compliance

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021

1. Bombinate Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (BTPL) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (CIN U72900KA2015PTC084475) and has its registered office at No.42, 12th Main, Jayanagar 4th Block, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560011, India.
   BTPL operates Vokal App (for iOS & Android), a regional language Question and Answers platform and the website Vokal App Website
2. Significant Social Media Intermediary
   BTPL is a Significant Social Media Intermediary and has implemented policies and procedures to comply with the requirements of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (hereinafter the “Rules”).
3. Due Diligence
   
   1. BTPL’s Privacy Policy, and Terms & Conditions of Use (collectively “Vokal Policies”) are available on its website as well as within the Vokal App. BTPL will inform users of any changes in the Vokal Policies at least once in a calendar year.
   2. In addition to other requirements prescribed by the Rules, Vokal Policies specifically prohibit users from publishing content that is (i) invasive of another’s bodily privacy or harmful or harassing on the basis of gender especially children; or (ii) is patently false or misleading but appearing as a fact; or (iii) impersonates or deceives or is false with the intention of causing injury or wrongful loss or harassment wrongful gain or fraud; or (iv) threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, or (v) violates any law. Vokal will endeavour to deploy technology-based measures, including automated tools or other mechanisms to proactively identify content which falls within the above categories and others.
   3. Orders by a court of competent jurisdiction or Appropriate Government or its agency or takedown or any other purposes should be addressed for compliance to the Resident Grievance Officer with a copy to Nodal Contact Officer and Chief Compliance Officer (contact details below).
   4. On receipt of a written request for information from a lawfully authorized government agency clearly stating the purpose for which it is required, BTPL shall provide such information or assistance in its control or possession to the government authority within 72 hours.
   5. In compliance with the Rules, registration information from a user and/or information which has been removed or to which access has been disabled, shall be retained by BTPL for a period of 180 days from the date of cancellation or withdrawal or removal or disablement.
4. Additional Due Diligence
   
   1. The physical contact address of BTPL for the purposes of receiving communication addressed to it under the Rules is No.42, 12th Main, Jayanagar 4th Block, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560011, India.
   2. BTPL has implemented the following mechanism for dealing with grievances:
      (i) Grievances relating to violation of the Rules must be addressed to the Resident Grievance Officer at [email protected] with a copy to the Chief Compliance Officer at [email protected]. The complaint must contain such information as is necessary in order for BTPL to investigate and take action.
      (ii) Reported grievances will be acknowledged within 24 hours of receipt along with a unique identification number. Grievances will be disposed of within 15 days from date of receipt. Wherever practical, information on action taken or not taken by BTPL may be provided to the reporter of the grievance.
      (iii) Grievances by an individual relating to exposure of their private areas, full or partial nudity or depicting such individual in any sexual act or conduct; or impersonation in an electronic form, including artificially morphed images will be acted upon within 24 hours.
      (iv) A monthly compliance report containing information as specified by the Rules will be published on the website under the link Compliance.
   3. Users may opt for voluntary verification of accounts using an active Indian phone number. All such requests may be sent to [email protected] or raised within the Vokal App. A visual identifier will be shown against the profiles of users who have voluntarily verified themselves.
   4. Publishers (as defined under the Rules) of news and current affairs content should take note of the information statement in compliance with the Rules can be found under the link Compliance. On confirmation by such publishers of compliance with the Rules, Vokal will display a visible verification mark against their profiles
   5. BTPL also displays a visible verification mark on content that is advertising or sponsored or is exclusively controlled.
   6. BTPL has appointed Indian residents to ensure compliance with the Rules:
      Chief Compliance Officer for ensuring compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Rules
      Email: [email protected]
      Nodal Contact Officer for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies and officers to ensure compliance to their orders or requisitions made in accordance with the provisions of law or rules made thereunder
      Email: [email protected]
      Resident Grievance Officer to (i) acknowledge a complaint in relation to the Rules within 24 hours and dispose off such complaint within a fifteen days from the date of its receipt; and (ii) receive and acknowledge any order, notice or direction issued by the Appropriate Government, any competent authority or a court of competent jurisdiction.
      Name: Mr. Rahul Satyakam
      Email: [email protected]