1. Introduction
Welcome to Local Chat India ("we," "our," or "us"), a revolutionary platform designed to connect individuals within local communities across India for meaningful, secure, and private interactions. This Privacy Policy outlines our commitment to protecting your personal information and explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you use our services.
By accessing or using Local Chat India, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please refrain from using our services. We may update this policy periodically, and your continued use constitutes acceptance of any changes.
2. Data Collection
We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services:
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
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Account Information:
- Full Name (for personalization and verification)
- Mobile Number (for account verification and security)
- Birth Year (to ensure compliance with age restrictions)
- Gender (to provide tailored experiences)
-
Profile Information (Optional):
- Blood Group (for emergency services and community help features)
- Profile Picture (to personalize your account)
- Bio/Description (to help others know you better)
-
Location Data:
- State, District, Division (to connect you with local users)
- GPS-based Location (only with your explicit consent, for location-based services)
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User Content:
- Messages exchanged on the platform
- Posts in community forums
- Job listings and blood donation requests
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device Information: Device type, OS version, unique device identifiers
- Usage Data: Features used, time spent, interaction patterns
- Log Data: IP addresses, access times, app crashes
- Cookies and Similar Technologies: For analytics and service improvement
3. Data Usage and Purpose
We use your information for the following purposes:
Service Provision
To create and maintain your account, provide chat functionality, and enable local connections.
Verification & Security
To verify your identity, prevent fraud, and protect against unauthorized access.
Communication
To send service notifications, updates, and respond to your inquiries.
Improvement
To analyze usage patterns and enhance user experience and app performance.
Compliance
To meet legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities.
Community Features
To facilitate job postings, blood donation requests, and other community services.
4. Data Storage and Retention
4.1 Storage Infrastructure
All user data is stored securely on Amazon Web Services (AWS) RDS servers located in the Mumbai region (ap-south-1) of India. We implement the following security measures:
- Data encryption at rest using AES-256
- Encryption in transit via TLS 1.2+
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Role-based access controls
- Network isolation and firewall protection
4.2 Retention Periods
- Account Data: Retained while your account is active. After deactivation, we retain for 45 days before permanent deletion.
- Chat Messages: Stored for 45 days after account deactivation or message deletion.
- Community Posts: Job and blood donation posts remain until manually removed or marked as completed.
- Log Data: Retained for 90 days for security monitoring.
- Backups: Encrypted backups are retained for 30 days.
4.3 Data Deletion Process
When data is scheduled for deletion:
- Data is marked for deletion in our primary database
- After 7 days (grace period), data is removed from production servers
- References are removed from search indices
- After 45 days, data is purged from all backup systems
Note: Some anonymized statistical data may be retained indefinitely for analytical purposes.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We value your privacy and do not sell your personal data to third parties. Data may be shared in limited circumstances:
5.1 Service Providers
We engage trusted third-party vendors to assist with service operations:
| Provider | Purpose | Data Shared | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS (Amazon Web Services) | Cloud hosting and storage | All service data | View |
| Twilio | SMS verification | Mobile number | View |
| Google Analytics | Usage analytics | Anonymized usage data | View |
| Firebase | App performance monitoring | Crash reports, usage metrics | View |
5.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law, such as:
- In response to valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders)
- To comply with applicable laws and regulations
- To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
- In connection with any merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
5.3 Community Features
Certain information may be visible to other users as part of community features:
- Profile information (name, profile picture) in chat interactions
- Job postings and blood donation requests (as configured by you)
- General location (district/division) for local matching
6. Your Rights and Choices
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and other applicable laws, you have certain rights regarding your personal data:
Access Rights
You can request:
- Confirmation whether we process your data
- Access to your personal data in a structured format
- Information about processing purposes and categories
Correction Rights
You can request:
- Rectification of inaccurate personal data
- Completion of incomplete personal data
- Updates to your profile information
Erasure Rights
You can request:
- Deletion of your personal data
- Account deactivation
- Removal from specific processing activities
Other Rights
You can also:
- Withdraw consent for processing
- Request restriction of processing
- Lodge complaints with authorities
7 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights:
- Use in-app settings for basic requests (profile updates, account deletion)
- Email localchatindia@gmail.com for other requests
- Include "Privacy Request" in the subject line
- Provide sufficient information to verify your identity
- Specify the right(s) you wish to exercise
We respond to all legitimate requests within 5-10 days. Complex requests may require additional time.
Customer Support
For general inquiries and support:
- localchatindia@gmail.com
- 1800-123-4567 (Toll-free)