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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 1, 2022

Last Updated: January 2025

Welcome to Hridhayam. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our dating application ("App").

1. Information We Collect

Data Categories and Classification

We collect and process the following categories of data:

  • Identity Data: Name, username, email, phone number, date of birth, gender (contractual necessity)
  • Profile Data: Photos, bio, interests, preferences, personality test results (contractual necessity)
  • Sensitive Data: Sexual orientation, religious views (if voluntarily provided) - processed only with explicit consent
  • Location Data: GPS coordinates, city, region (consent for matching purposes)
  • Behavioral Data: Swipes, likes, matches, messaging patterns (legitimate interest for service improvement)
  • Technical Data: Device info, IP address, app usage (legitimate interest for security and functionality)
  • Payment Data: Transaction history (contractual necessity - actual payment details processed by Apple/Google)

Registration Information

When you create an account on Hridhayam, we collect:

  • Name
  • Username
  • Email address
  • Mobile number
  • Gender identity
  • Date of birth
  • Profile photos and verification photos

Location Data

We collect location information to help you connect with nearby Malayali singles. This includes GPS and location data from your device when you grant us permission.

Device Information

We automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

  • Device type and model
  • Operating system and version
  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • App usage data and analytics

Verification Photos and Biometric Processing

To ensure authenticity and safety, we use automated verification systems to verify user identities. We do not use biometric identifiers or store biometric templates. Verification photos are compared using automated similarity checks and image analysis technology. These photos are used solely for identity verification purposes and are not used for facial recognition, tracking, or any other purpose. Verification photos are securely stored and deleted after the verification process is complete or upon account deletion.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your experience, analyze usage patterns, and personalize content. This includes:

  • Analytics: Google Analytics and Firebase Analytics to understand app usage
  • Attribution: Tracking campaign effectiveness and user acquisition sources
  • Advertising Identifiers: Device advertising IDs (IDFA on iOS, AAID on Android) for attribution purposes only
  • Session Cookies: To maintain your login state and preferences

Important: We do not track users across other apps or websites for advertising purposes. We do not sell your data to advertisers or third parties. You can manage advertising preferences through your device settings (Settings > Privacy > Tracking on iOS).

2. How We Use Your Information

Data Processing and Matching Algorithm

Hridhayam uses your profile data, preferences, location, and interaction history to match you with compatible users. Our matching algorithm processes:

  • Behavioral Data: Your swipe patterns, likes, super likes, and messaging activity
  • Profile Data: Age, gender, location, interests, and personality test results
  • Preference Settings: Your specified age range, distance preferences, and other filters
  • Interaction Data: How you engage with profiles and respond to matches

This data processing enables us to provide relevant match suggestions and improve your dating experience through personalized recommendations.

Primary Uses of Your Information

We use the collected information to:

  • Offer you our services and features
  • Contact you with information about the App
  • Match you with compatible Malayali singles based on your preferences and location
  • Personalize your experience and provide tailored recommendations
  • Conduct moderation through automated systems and human reviewers to enforce community standards
  • Ensure platform safety and prevent fraud, abuse, and violations
  • Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
  • Send you updates, notifications, and promotional content
  • Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

3. How We Share Your Information

Important: Hridhayam does not sell your data.

We may share your personal information with:

Other Users

Content you post on the App may be publicly viewable and accessible, both by users and non-users of the App. Your profile information is visible to other members based on your privacy settings.

Service Providers and Third-Party Services

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate the platform. These services include:

  • Firebase (Google): Authentication, cloud storage, and real-time database
  • Supabase: Database management and backend services
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS): Cloud hosting and data storage
  • CloudFront (AWS): Content delivery network
  • MongoDB: Database storage and management
  • RevenueCat: Subscription and payment management
  • Google Maps API: Location-based services and mapping
  • Google Analytics/Firebase Analytics: App usage analytics and insights
  • Crashlytics: Crash reporting and app stability monitoring
  • Customer Support Tools: Email services and support ticket management

These providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was shared.

Payment Processors

If you make purchases through the App, your payment information is processed by secure third-party payment processors.

Marketing Partners

With your consent, we may share limited information with marketing partners to provide you with relevant offers and promotions.

Law Enforcement and Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when legally required to:

  • Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
  • Protect our rights, property, or safety
  • Investigate and prevent fraud, abuse, or illegal activities
  • Enforce our Terms and Conditions

4. Content Visibility and Privacy Controls

Content posted on the App may be publicly viewable and accessible. However, you have control over certain privacy settings, including:

  • Profile visibility preferences
  • Location sharing settings
  • Who can see your photos and information
  • Marketing communication preferences

5. Age Requirements and Child Safety

You must be at least 18 years old to use the App. Hridhayam does not knowingly collect any information about or market to children under 18. We strictly prohibit child sexual abuse material and immediately report any violations to appropriate authorities.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

  • Encryption of sensitive data (AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit)
  • Secure server infrastructure with regular security patches
  • Regular security audits and penetration testing
  • Access controls and multi-factor authentication for internal systems
  • Firewall protection and intrusion detection systems
  • Employee training on data protection and security best practices

However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will:

  • Notify affected users via email or in-app notification within 72 hours of discovering the breach (as required by GDPR)
  • Inform relevant supervisory authorities as required by applicable laws
  • Provide details about the nature of the breach, the data affected, and steps being taken
  • Offer guidance on protective measures you can take

We maintain an incident response plan to quickly identify, contain, and remediate security incidents.

7. Legal Basis for Data Processing (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Contractual Necessity

Processing necessary to provide you with our dating services:

  • Account creation and management
  • Profile creation and display
  • Matching algorithm and recommendations
  • In-app messaging and communication features
  • Subscription and payment processing

Legitimate Interest

Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests:

  • Platform security and fraud prevention
  • Service improvement and analytics
  • Customer support and issue resolution
  • Bug fixes and technical maintenance

Consent

Processing based on your explicit consent:

  • Location data collection for matching nearby users
  • Marketing communications and promotional emails
  • Processing of sensitive data (sexual orientation, religious views)
  • Cookies and analytics tracking

You may withdraw consent at any time through app settings.

Legal Obligation

Processing required to comply with legal requirements:

  • Age verification (18+ requirement)
  • Reporting illegal content to authorities
  • Responding to lawful requests from law enforcement
  • Tax and financial record keeping

8. Your Rights and Choices

Access and Correction

You have the right to access and update your personal information through your account settings.

Data Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time.

Location Sharing

You can manage location sharing preferences through your device and app settings.

Marketing Preferences

You can opt-out of promotional communications through app settings or email unsubscribe links.

California Residents

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

  • Right to know what personal information is collected
  • Right to delete personal information
  • Right to opt-out of data sales (note: we do not sell your data)
  • Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

EU and UK Users

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Rectification of inaccurate data
  • Erasure of your data ("right to be forgotten")
  • Restriction of processing
  • Data portability
  • Object to processing
  • Lodge a complaint with supervisory authorities

9. Payment and Transaction Information

In-App Purchases

Hridhayam offers premium features through in-app purchases and subscriptions. Payment processing is handled by:

  • Apple App Store: For iOS users - Apple processes all payment information
  • Google Play Store: For Android users - Google processes all payment information
  • RevenueCat: Manages subscription status and entitlements

Information We Collect

During transactions, we collect:

  • Transaction ID and purchase confirmation
  • Subscription status and duration
  • Purchase history (what features were purchased and when)
  • Refund and cancellation records

What We Don't Collect

We never collect or store your payment card information. All payment details (credit card numbers, billing addresses, CVV) are processed directly by Apple or Google. We only receive confirmation that a purchase was successful.

Guest Purchases

Some features may be purchasable without creating an account. In such cases, we only receive the transaction ID and device identifier from the payment provider. No personal information is collected until you create an account.

10. Data Retention

After you delete your account, we retain your information for up to 28 days before complete removal. We may retain certain information longer when required for:

  • Legal compliance and obligations
  • Fraud prevention and security purposes
  • Resolving disputes
  • Enforcing our agreements

9. Moderation and Community Standards

Content Moderation Process

We use a combination of automated systems and a team of human moderators to review content and enforce our community guidelines. This helps maintain a safe and respectful environment for all users.

AI and Automated Processing

Our automated moderation systems process:

  • Profile Photos: Checked for inappropriate content, nudity, and policy violations
  • Text Content: Messages and profile descriptions scanned for offensive language, harassment, and prohibited content
  • User Reports: Flagged content reviewed by AI for priority assessment
  • Adult Content Detection: Images analyzed for nudity and sexually explicit material

Data Processing and Retention

  • Purpose: Safety enforcement, abuse prevention, and community standard compliance
  • Processing: Content is analyzed in real-time; AI models do not store training data from your content
  • Retention: Flagged content is temporarily retained for review (typically 30-90 days) unless it involves serious violations requiring longer retention for legal purposes
  • Human Review: Moderators may review flagged content but do not have access to private messages unless reported

Abuse Reporting and Safety

Users can report:

  • Harassment or threatening behavior
  • Fake or fraudulent profiles
  • Inappropriate or adult content
  • Spam or commercial solicitation
  • Underage users
  • Any other community guideline violations

We take all reports seriously and investigate promptly. Users who violate our policies may face account warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent ban.

10. Data Storage Locations and International Transfers

Where Your Data is Stored

Your data is stored on secure servers located in the following regions:

  • Primary Storage: United States (AWS and MongoDB servers)
  • Secondary Storage: Singapore and India (for faster access for regional users)
  • Content Delivery: Global CloudFront edge locations for optimal performance

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws, including GDPR Standard Contractual Clauses for transfers outside the European Economic Area.

11. Children's Privacy and Safety

Hridhayam is strictly for users aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from anyone under 18 years of age.

If we discover that a user is under 18, we will immediately:

  • Terminate the account
  • Delete all associated personal data
  • Block the device from creating future accounts
  • Report to appropriate authorities if necessary

Parents or guardians who believe their child has created an account should contact us immediately at hridhayamdating@gmail.com.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: hridhayamdating@gmail.com
Support: support@hridhayam.org
Postal Address: Hridhayam Dating App
    1234 Silicon Valley Drive, Suite 100
    Austin, TX 78701
    United States

14. Data Protection Officer

For data protection inquiries and GDPR-related requests, you can reach our Data Protection Officer at: dpo@hridhayam.org

15. Supervisory Authority

If you are located in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority if you believe we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns.