Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 8, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Soul Café, operated by Shabd Yoga International (“we,” “us,” “our”), collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you use innerlightandsoundmeditation.org. We aim to align this policy with the principles of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. Data Controller

Shabd Yoga International is the data controller responsible for your personal data. Contact us at namaste@innerlightandsoundmeditation.org for any privacy-related question or request.

2. Information We Collect

Registration & account data: name, username, email address, password (stored encrypted), and your approval status when you register for Soul Café.

Forum activity: posts, topics, and threads you create in the discussion forum (e.g. Master Stories, Meditation, Photos and Videos, Being Vegetarian), along with timestamps and associated metadata.

Social/profile data: your profile information and bio, activity stream posts, friend connections, private chat messages, and any photos or videos you upload through the community features.

Technical data: cookies used to keep you logged in, maintain your session, and support site caching and performance (see Section 6).

3. How We Use Your Information

To create and manage your membership, including the admin approval step required before access is granted
To operate community features: forums, profiles, activity streams, chat, photo and video sharing
To communicate with you about your account, approvals, or community announcements
To maintain the security and proper functioning of the site

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data based on: your consent when you register and agree to these policies; our legitimate interest in operating a safe, functioning community; and, where applicable, our obligation to comply with the law.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. Data is shared only with:

Our hosting provider (Canadian Web Hosting), which stores site data on our behalf
Software providers for the plugins used to run the community (Members, wpForo, PeepSo), to the extent needed for those features to function
Authorities, where required by law

6. Cookies

Soul Café uses cookies required for login sessions and for site performance (via caching software). These are functional cookies necessary for the site to operate and are not used for advertising or third-party tracking.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account and community data for as long as your membership is active. If you request account deletion, we will remove or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law.

8. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you
Request correction of inaccurate data
Request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”)
Request a copy of your data in a portable format
Object to or restrict certain processing
Withdraw consent at any time
Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at namaste@innerlightandsoundmeditation.org.

9. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encrypted password storage and access controls limiting the site to approved members. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. International Data Transfers

Because our hosting provider is based in Canada, your data may be processed outside the European Economic Area. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure your data continues to receive an appropriate level of protection.

11. Children’s Privacy

Soul Café is intended for adult members of the Sant Mat community and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of Soul Café after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

For any questions or requests regarding your privacy, contact namaste@innerlightandsoundmeditation.org.