Privacy Policy
1Introduction
Ahir Matrimonial (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting the personal information of its users. This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use, storage, and disclosure of personal data when you use the Ahir Matrimonial mobile application (the “Platform”).
This policy is published in compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act).
2Data We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide at Registration
When you create your profile, we collect:
- Full name, date of birth, and gender
- Phone number and email address — one phone number can hold only one active profile at a time. To register a different profile, the existing one must be deleted first.
- Any one of the following identity documents — Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID card, or Driving License — used only for identity and name verification (see Section 5)
- Photographs uploaded to your profile
- Educational qualifications and job details (self-declared)
- Income details (self-declared — not independently verified by us)
- Gotra, subcaste, and community-related information
- Native district and location details
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you use the Platform, we may collect:
- Device information — device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
- Usage data — features accessed, profiles viewed, search activity, session duration
- Chat activity
- IP address and approximate location (country/state level)
- App crash reports and performance diagnostics
2.3 Third-Party Tools
We use third-party service providers such as Firebase (Google) for analytics, crash reporting, and push notifications. These tools may collect certain device and usage data as described in their own privacy policies. We do not sell this data. These providers are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations.
3How We Use Your Data
We use the data we collect for the following purposes:
- To create, display, and manage your matrimonial profile on the Platform.
- To verify your identity using the identity document you submit (Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID card, or Driving License) — name verification only.
- To determine and enforce profile-level feature access based on your subscription status.
- To suggest potential matches based on your preferences and profile details.
- To enable in-app chat communication between members.
- To send service-related notifications, updates, or support messages.
- To improve the functionality, performance, and user experience of the Platform.
- To comply with applicable legal obligations.
We do not use your data for advertising purposes. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with any third party for marketing or commercial gain.
4How We Share Your Data
4.1 Profile Visibility to Other Members
- All members can see limited profile details such as education and native district.
- Complete profile details are visible only to male members who hold an active subscription.
- You control what additional information you choose to include on your profile. Exercise discretion in what you share.
4.2 Chat Communication
Messages exchanged between members through the in-app chat are delivered to the intended recipient only. Chat metadata (such as timestamps) may be retained for technical and support purposes.
4.3 With Service Providers
We share limited data with trusted third-party service providers (such as Firebase/Google) who assist us in operating the Platform. These providers are permitted to use your data only to provide services to us and are bound by confidentiality obligations.
4.4 With Law Enforcement
We will disclose your personal data to law enforcement agencies, courts, or government authorities when required by law, court order, or in good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of users or the public.
4.5 No Sale or Rent of Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data with any third party for commercial purposes under any circumstance.
5Identity Document — Identity Verification
For identity verification, you may submit any one of the following government-issued identity documents: Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID card, or Driving License. The document is collected solely for verifying your name and confirming your identity. We do not use this data for any other purpose.
The identity document image submitted by you is used to verify your name and to assist in confirming Ahir community membership based on the information provided. We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect this document.
If a user submits a forged, altered, or fraudulently obtained document, we bear no responsibility for any outcome arising from such misrepresentation. All liability in such cases rests entirely with the user who submitted the fraudulent document.
Where an Aadhaar card is submitted, we do not store Aadhaar numbers in plaintext after verification is complete, and the data is handled in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and applicable law. Other identity documents (PAN, Voter ID, Driving License) are similarly handled with restricted access and secure storage.
6Data We Do Not Verify
The following information is accepted as self-declared and is not independently verified by us:
- Income and financial details
- Educational qualifications
- Employment and designation
- Family background
- Marital history
Users are strongly advised to independently verify such details about any potential match before proceeding with any matrimonial decision. Ahir Matrimonial does not accept any liability for false or misleading self-declared information.
7Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your profile is active or as needed to provide you the Services.
Once a profile is deleted, the associated phone number is released and becomes available to register a fresh profile on the Platform.
Analytics and usage data may be retained in anonymised form for internal reporting purposes.
8Data Security
We implement industry-standard technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include secure data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), access controls, and encrypted storage of sensitive information including identity documents.
No system is completely secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach likely to affect your rights or interests, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
9Your Rights
- Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: You may update inaccurate information through your profile settings or by contacting us.
- Deletion: You may request deletion of your profile and personal data. Requests are processed within 30 days.
- Consent Withdrawal: You may withdraw your consent by deleting your profile, which will result in termination of access to the Platform.
- Grievance: You may raise a grievance with our designated contact (see Section 12) or with the relevant data protection authority.
10Children’s Privacy
The Platform is not intended for individuals below 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If we discover that a minor has registered, we will promptly remove their profile and all associated data.
11International Users (NRI Members)
If you are accessing the Platform from outside India, please be aware that your data will be processed and stored in India, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer and processing of your data in India in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable Indian law.
12Grievance Officer / Contact Us
For any privacy-related queries, data access requests, or complaints, please contact our Grievance Officer using the contact details listed at the bottom of this document. We will acknowledge your request within 48 hours and endeavour to resolve it within 30 days.
13Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our practices. Continued use of the Platform after any update constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.