DATE: 01.01.2025 TIME: 10.00 AM
LEGAL DISCLAIMER & DIGITAL PLATFORM POLICY
Effective Date: 1st January, 2025
Applicable to: All Digital Platforms managed, operated, administered, maintained, controlled, or published by or on behalf of GK Dutta alias Gopika Kanta Dutta
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This Legal Disclaimer & Digital Platform Policy (“Policy”) applies to all websites, blogs, sub-domains, social-media accounts, social-networking profiles, pages, channels, applications, online publications, digital services, messaging channels, video platforms, and other internet-based or digital platforms managed, operated, administered, maintained, controlled, authorised, or published by or on behalf of GK Dutta, alias Gopika Kanta Dutta.
For the purposes of this Policy, all such platforms are collectively referred to as the “Digital Platforms.”
The Digital Platforms may be operated directly by GK Dutta or through authorised members of his team, representatives, agents, affiliates, associates, licensees, contractors, service providers, successors, assigns, or other persons acting with appropriate authority.
This Policy is intended to establish the general legal and operational framework applicable to the Digital Platforms. Individual Digital Platforms may also contain additional terms, notices, privacy policies, community guidelines, copyright notices, or other policies applicable specifically to that platform.
Where a platform-specific policy conflicts with this Policy, the platform-specific provision shall apply to the extent of the conflict.
2. OFFICIAL AND VERIFIED ACCOUNTS
The terms “Official,” “Official Account,” “Verified,” “Verified Account,” “Official Platform,” or “Officially Associated” refer to a Digital Platform that has been created, maintained, administered, authorised, or otherwise operated by or on behalf of GK Dutta or persons duly authorised to act on his behalf.
An account, page, profile, website, blog, channel, or digital presence should not be treated as official merely because it:
- uses the name “GK Dutta” or “Gopika Kanta Dutta”;
- uses photographs, logos, names, statements, or other identifying material associated with GK Dutta;
- claims to represent GK Dutta;
- reproduces content originally published by GK Dutta; or
- has obtained a verification badge or similar status from a third-party platform.
Verification badges issued by third-party social-media or technology platforms are subject to the policies and procedures of those platforms and do not, by themselves, determine the legal ownership, authority, endorsement, or affiliation of an account.
Users should rely upon official account directories, links published on recognised Digital Platforms, or other authoritative identification mechanisms where authenticity is material.
3. GENERAL INFORMATION-NO PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
The Digital Platforms may contain information concerning law, legal rights, public affairs, governance, government schemes, social issues, public administration, consumer matters, human rights, legal procedures, current affairs, education, technology, photography, public-interest matters, and other subjects.
Such information is provided primarily for general informational, educational, documentary, and public-awareness purposes.
Nothing published on any Digital Platform constitutes or is intended to constitute:
- legal advice;
- financial or investment advice;
- medical advice;
- professional advice;
- an advocate-client relationship;
- a solicitor-client relationship;
- a fiduciary relationship; or
- any other professional advisory relationship.
Information published on a Digital Platform should not be treated as a substitute for obtaining advice from a suitably qualified professional having regard to the specific facts and circumstances of an individual matter.
4. ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS AND NO WARRANTIES
The Digital Platforms and their contents are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
GK Dutta does not warrant or represent that:
- any Digital Platform will always be available;
- any Digital Platform will operate without interruption or error;
- information will always be complete, current, accurate, reliable, or free from error;
- information will immediately reflect every change in law, policy, regulation, fact, circumstance, or event;
- historical information will remain unchanged;
- third-party information reproduced or referenced on a Digital Platform is accurate or complete; or
- any Digital Platform will be free from technical defects, malware, viruses, or other harmful components.
Information may be changed, corrected, updated, withdrawn, archived, or removed without prior notice.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the original content published through the Digital Platforms including, where applicable, text, articles, photographs, graphics, illustrations, logos, branding elements, designs, layouts, videos, audio, databases, compilations, original artwork, documents, and other creative material is protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.
Copyright protection in India is principally governed by the Copyright Act, 1957, subject to its provisions and applicable amendments.
Nothing contained on a Digital Platform shall be interpreted as granting any person an unrestricted licence to reproduce, distribute, modify, commercially exploit, republish, or otherwise use protected material.
Unless permitted by law or expressly authorised in writing, users shall not:
- reproduce substantial portions of protected content;
- commercially exploit Digital Platform content;
- remove copyright or attribution notices;
- reproduce branding or logos in a manner suggesting affiliation or endorsement;
- create misleading derivative accounts or platforms; or
- systematically copy, scrape, archive, republish, or redistribute content for commercial or competing purposes.
Nothing in this section prevents uses permitted under applicable law, including legally recognised exceptions, limitations, fair dealing, quotation, criticism, review, reporting, education, research, or other lawful uses.
Third-party material remains subject to the rights of its respective owners.
6. TRADEMARKS, BRANDING AND IDENTITY
The names “GK Dutta” and “Gopika Kanta Dutta,” together with associated logos, marks, branding elements, visual identity, slogans, designs, and other identifiers, may be used as identifiers of the relevant person, project, platform, publication, or service.
Unauthorised use of such identifiers in a manner that falsely suggests sponsorship, endorsement, affiliation, authority, or official representation is prohibited to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Nothing in this Policy grants an implied right to use the name, identity, branding, logo, photographs, or other identifying elements of GK Dutta for deceptive, fraudulent, defamatory, unlawful, or misleading purposes.
7. PRIVACY AND PERSONAL DATA
GK Dutta recognises the importance of privacy and the responsible handling of personal information.
Depending upon the particular Digital Platform and the nature of the interaction, personal information may be received or processed through contact forms, correspondence, comments, subscriptions, communications, analytics, technical logs, social-media interactions, or third-party services.
Where applicable, processing of digital personal data shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable Indian law, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and applicable rules, notifications, regulations, and amendments in force from time to time. The Act establishes a framework concerning the processing of digital personal data and defines concepts including “Data Fiduciary” and “Data Principal.”
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 provide for commencement in phases; therefore, references to applicable statutory obligations shall be understood according to the provisions actually in force at the relevant time.
Users should not submit unnecessary sensitive, confidential, financial, authentication, or other private information through public comments, social-media posts, or unsecured communication channels.
Where a separate Privacy Policy is published on a particular Digital Platform, that Privacy Policy should be read together with this Policy.
8. SOCIAL MEDIA
GK Dutta may maintain or operate accounts and channels on third-party social-media and communication platforms.
Social-media content may include:
- original publications;
- links to external sources;
- public-interest information;
- commentary and opinions;
- photographs and videos;
- announcements;
- educational material;
- public responses;
- user comments; and
- reposted or referenced third-party material.
A statement, comment, repost, hyperlink, “like,” reaction, follow, subscription, or other social-media interaction should not automatically be interpreted as an endorsement of every statement, opinion, organisation, individual, product, service, or political position associated with that content.
Social-media platforms are independent third-party services and are governed by their own terms, policies, algorithms, moderation procedures, and privacy practices.
9. THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS, LINKS AND SERVICES
The Digital Platforms may contain hyperlinks, embedded content, widgets, advertisements, applications, references, or integrations supplied by third parties.
Third-party websites and services operate independently of GK Dutta.
GK Dutta does not necessarily control, verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for:
- the availability of third-party platforms;
- their accuracy or reliability;
- their privacy practices;
- their security;
- their terms of service;
- their content;
- their products or services; or
- any transaction or interaction occurring through them.
Access to third-party platforms is undertaken at the user's own discretion and risk.
A hyperlink or reference to a third-party website does not, by itself, constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, partnership, agency, or formal affiliation.
10. USER-GENERATED CONTENT
Certain Digital Platforms may permit users to submit comments, messages, photographs, documents, reviews, opinions, suggestions, questions, or other content (“User-Generated Content”).
Users remain responsible for the content they submit.
Users shall not knowingly submit content that:
- is unlawful;
- infringes copyright, trademark, privacy, personality, or other rights;
- impersonates another person or entity;
- contains malicious code or harmful software;
- is fraudulent or deceptive;
- unlawfully discloses private or confidential information;
- promotes unlawful activity;
- constitutes harassment, threats, or abuse; or
- otherwise violates applicable law or the rules of the relevant Digital Platform.
GK Dutta reserves the right, subject to applicable law and the functionality of the relevant platform, to moderate, restrict, remove, archive, or decline to publish User-Generated Content.
Publication of User-Generated Content does not necessarily mean that GK Dutta agrees with, verifies, endorses, or adopts the views expressed in that content.
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND OPINIONS
Opinions expressed on Digital Platforms may represent the views of GK Dutta, individual contributors, guest authors, users, or other identified sources.
Where an opinion is expressed, it should not automatically be interpreted as a statement of established fact.
Where information relates to allegations, disputes, public complaints, administrative matters, legal proceedings, investigations, or other contested issues, readers should consider the distinction between allegations, claims, opinions, reported facts, official findings, and judicial determinations.
Nothing in a publication is intended to prejudice any pending proceeding or to replace the determination of a competent authority or court.
12. USER RESPONSIBILITY
Users are responsible for exercising independent judgment when relying upon information available through any Digital Platform.
Users should independently verify material information before making decisions that may have legal, financial, medical, administrative, commercial, professional, or other significant consequences.
Users are also responsible for complying with applicable Indian laws and the terms of the third-party platforms they use to access or interact with the Digital Platforms.
13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, GK Dutta shall not be liable for any loss, damage, claim, expense, liability, or consequence arising directly or indirectly from:
- access to or use of a Digital Platform;
- inability to access or use a Digital Platform;
- reliance upon information published on a Digital Platform;
- errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or outdated information;
- interruption, suspension, modification, or termination of a Digital Platform;
- third-party websites, services, platforms, content, or links;
- User-Generated Content; or
- technical failures or events beyond reasonable control.
To the extent permitted by law, this includes indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive losses, including loss of income, revenue, profits, business opportunities, contracts, goodwill, reputation, information, or data.
Nothing in this Policy shall exclude or restrict liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted under applicable law.
14. EXCEPTIONS TO LIABILITY LIMITATIONS
Nothing in this Policy is intended to:
- exclude or restrict liability where such exclusion or restriction is prohibited by applicable law;
- exclude or restrict liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation where prohibited by law;
- exclude or restrict liability for death or personal injury where prohibited by law; or
- deprive any person of a statutory right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded.
All limitations contained in this Policy are subject to mandatory provisions of applicable Indian law.
15. INDEMNITY
To the extent permitted by applicable law, a user may be responsible for losses, claims, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from the user's unlawful use of a Digital Platform, violation of this Policy, infringement of third-party rights, or submission of unlawful User-Generated Content.
Nothing in this section shall impose an obligation that is prohibited by applicable law.
16. OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS
No person should assume that a communication, request, notice, message, social-media account, website, email, telephone number, or other digital communication is authorised merely because it uses the name, photograph, logo, branding, or identity of GK Dutta.
Where authenticity is material, users should verify communications through recognised official Digital Platforms or other independently verifiable contact mechanisms.
GK Dutta shall not be responsible for losses arising from reliance upon fraudulent, impersonated, spoofed, cloned, hacked, unauthorised, or otherwise deceptive accounts or communications, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
17. JURISDICTION
This Policy and matters arising from or relating to the Digital Platforms shall, to the extent legally applicable, be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts and authorities in India.
Where a particular Digital Platform, transaction, service, agreement, or applicable law provides for a different jurisdiction or dispute-resolution mechanism, that specific provision may apply to the relevant matter.
Nothing in this clause is intended to restrict any jurisdiction that cannot lawfully be excluded.
18. GOVERNING LAW
This Policy shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of India, subject to applicable statutory provisions, rules, regulations, judicial decisions, and mandatory legal requirements.
The Digital Platforms may be subject to, among other applicable laws and legal frameworks:
- the Constitution of India, where applicable;
- the Information Technology Act, 2000 and applicable rules;
- the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and applicable rules and notifications;
- the Copyright Act, 1957;
- applicable trademark and intellectual-property laws;
- applicable contract and civil laws;
- applicable criminal laws;
- applicable consumer-protection laws; and
- other laws, regulations, notifications, and directions applicable to the particular activity or Digital Platform.
The applicability of any particular legislation shall depend upon the facts, nature of the activity, status of the parties, and provisions in force at the relevant time.
19. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Policy is determined by a competent court or authority to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be interpreted or modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it lawful and enforceable.
If such modification is not legally possible, the affected provision shall be severed to the necessary extent.
The remaining provisions shall continue to operate to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
20. NO WAIVER
Failure or delay in exercising any right, remedy, or provision under this Policy shall not constitute a waiver of that right, remedy, or provision.
Any waiver shall be effective only to the extent expressly permitted under applicable law.
21. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
GK Dutta reserves the right to modify, update, amend, supplement, or replace this Policy from time to time.
An updated version may be published on one or more Digital Platforms.
Unless otherwise specified, the revised Policy shall take effect from the date of publication.
Users are encouraged to periodically review the applicable version of this Policy.
22. ENTIRE POLICY
This Legal Disclaimer & Digital Platform Policy represents the general framework governing use of the Digital Platforms.
It shall be read together with any applicable:
- Privacy Policy;
- Terms of Use;
- Copyright Policy;
- Cookie Policy;
- Community Guidelines;
- Social Media Policy;
- Accessibility Policy;
- Intellectual Property Policy; and
- platform-specific notices or terms.
Where a specific policy or agreement applies to a particular transaction, service, platform, or activity, that specific policy or agreement may govern the relevant matter to the extent of any inconsistency.
23. CONTACT AND AUTHENTICITY
For matters concerning the authenticity of Digital Platforms, official communications, intellectual-property concerns, privacy matters, or other policy-related issues, users should use the contact information published on an officially recognised GK Dutta Digital Platform.
Users are advised not to disclose passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), banking credentials, payment-card information, authentication codes, or other highly sensitive credentials in response to an unsolicited communication claiming to represent GK Dutta.
24. FINAL NOTICE
The Digital Platforms are intended to provide information, documentation, communication, public-awareness material, educational resources, and other digital content.
Use of any Digital Platform constitutes acknowledgment that the user has had an opportunity to read this Policy and agrees to use the relevant Digital Platform in accordance with applicable law.
Nothing in this Policy is intended to override any mandatory provision of Indian law or any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
GK DUTTA
Alias: Gopika Kanta Dutta
Applicable to Digital Platforms managed, operated, administered, maintained, controlled, or published by or on behalf of GK Dutta.