Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

HimLocal ("HimLocal", "we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website himlocal.com or use our platform services.

HimLocal is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that provides website hosting and technology tools to businesses. We are not an e-commerce site, marketplace, payment processor, or retailer. The businesses hosted on our platform are independent entities that manage their own operations, payments, and customer data.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. By using our platform, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information (Platform Users)

We may collect personal information that you provide directly to us when you create an account on our platform:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, and phone number
• Account Information: Login credentials and profile preferences
• Communication Data: Your messages to us, reviews, and feedback

2.2 What We Do NOT Collect

Since HimLocal does not process payments or handle orders:

• We do not collect or store your payment card details, UPI IDs, or bank account information
• We do not collect your shipping/billing addresses for order fulfillment
• We do not have access to your order or purchase history with individual businesses

Note: When you interact with a business hosted on our platform (e.g., placing an order, making a booking), that business collects your data directly under their own privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies separately.

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our platform, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, click patterns
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies: Data collected through cookies and similar technologies (see Section 5)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Account Management: Creating and managing your platform account
• Platform Operation: Providing and maintaining our SaaS services
• Communication: Responding to your inquiries and sending platform updates
• Marketing: Sending promotional emails about our platform (with your consent)
• Improvement: Analyzing usage to improve our platform and services
• Legal Compliance: Complying with legal obligations and preventing fraud
• Security: Protecting our platform and users from unauthorized access

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Service Providers

We may share limited information with:

• Email Services: AWS SES for sending OTP and transactional emails
• Cloud/CDN Services: For hosting, content delivery, and data storage
• Analytics: For understanding platform usage patterns

4.2 Businesses on Our Platform

If you create an account and interact with a business on our platform, basic account information (such as your name and email) may be shared with that business to enable services like order processing and communication. Each business manages this data under their own policies.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your login status and preferences
• Understand how you use our platform
• Personalize your experience
• Enhance security and prevent fraud

Types of Cookies We Use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality (login, session)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our platform
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings or through our cookie consent banner. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data, including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure password hashing (OTP-based authentication)
• Regular security audits
• Access controls limiting employee access to personal data

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our platform services to you
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within 30 days, except for data we are legally required to retain.

8. Your Rights

Under applicable data protection laws, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
• Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@himlocal.com

9. Third-Party Business Privacy

Businesses hosted on our platform are independent data controllers. When you interact with them (place orders, make bookings, submit forms), they collect and manage your data independently. HimLocal is not responsible for:

• How businesses use your personal data
• Data collected by business-integrated payment gateways (e.g., Razorpay)
• Data shared with business-selected shipping or service providers

We encourage you to review each business’s privacy practices before sharing your data.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

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

13. Grievance Redressal

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder, any grievance or complaint regarding data privacy can be addressed to our Grievance Officer at the contact details above. Grievances will be redressed within one month from the date of receipt.