Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you register on Way2Shaadi.com, we collect:

• Basic Details: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender
• Profile Information: Height, weight, marital status, religion, caste, mother tongue
• Location: Country, state, city, address
• Education & Career: Education level, occupation, annual income
• Family Details: Father's/mother's name and occupation, siblings, family type
• Lifestyle: Diet preferences, smoking/drinking habits
• Photos: Profile photos and additional images
• Partner Preferences: Your preferences for a potential match

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, features used, search queries
• Cookies: We use cookies to enhance your experience (see Cookie Policy below)
• Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Payment Information: Transaction data from payment gateways (we don't store card details)
• Social Media: If you link social accounts, we may collect public profile information

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Primary Purposes

• Matchmaking: To show your profile to compatible matches and vice versa
• Account Management: To create, maintain, and secure your account
• Communication: To send you notifications, messages, and updates
• Verification: To verify your identity and ensure profile authenticity
• Payment Processing: To process subscription payments and manage billing

2.2 Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our matching algorithm
• Personalize your experience based on preferences
• Develop new features and services
• Conduct research and analytics (anonymized data)

2.3 Safety & Security

• Detect and prevent fraud, spam, and abuse
• Enforce our Terms & Conditions
• Protect the rights and safety of users
• Respond to legal requests and prevent illegal activities

2.4 Marketing (Optional)

• Send promotional emails about new features and offers (you can opt-out)
• Display personalized recommendations
• Conduct surveys and feedback requests

3. Information Sharing & Disclosure

3.1 With Other Users

• Your profile is visible to other users based on your privacy settings
• Matched users can see information you've made public
• Premium members may access additional details (if allowed in settings)
• Your contact information is only shared if you explicitly allow it

3.2 With Service Providers

We may share data with trusted third parties who help us operate:

• Payment Processors: Razorpay, PayTM, UPI services (for transactions)
• Email Services: For sending verification and notification emails
• SMS Gateways: For phone verification and OTP delivery
• Cloud Storage: For hosting photos and data (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)
• Analytics Providers: For understanding usage (Google Analytics, etc.)

All third parties are bound by confidentiality agreements.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms & Conditions
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Way2Shaadi.com, users, or the public
• Prevent fraud or security threats

3.4 Business Transfers

• If we merge, are acquired, or sell assets, your data may be transferred
• You will be notified of any such changes

3.5 What We DON'T Do

• We DO NOT sell your personal information to third parties
• We DO NOT share your data for unrelated marketing purposes
• We DO NOT publicly display your contact information without permission

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data:

4.1 Technical Safeguards

• Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure Storage: Encrypted database storage
• Password Protection: Passwords are hashed and salted
• Firewalls: Network security to prevent unauthorized access
• Regular Backups: To prevent data loss

4.2 Access Controls

• Limited employee access to personal data (need-to-know basis)
• Two-factor authentication for admin access
• Regular security audits and monitoring

4.3 Your Responsibility

• Keep your password confidential
• Log out after using shared devices
• Report suspicious activities immediately
• Use strong, unique passwords

Note: While we strive to protect your data, no system is 100% secure. Use the internet at your own risk.

5. Your Privacy Rights & Choices

5.1 Access & Control

You have the right to:

• Access Your Data: View all personal information we have about you
• Update Information: Edit your profile details anytime
• Delete Account: Request permanent account deletion
• Download Data: Request a copy of your data (data portability)
• Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
• Object to Processing: Opt-out of certain data uses

5.2 Privacy Settings

You can control:

• Who can view your profile (all users, matches only, premium only)
• Who can contact you
• What information is visible (hide specific fields)
• Photo visibility settings
• Search result appearance

5.3 Communication Preferences

• Opt-out of promotional emails (unsubscribe link in emails)
• Disable push notifications
• Control email notification frequency
• Block specific users from contacting you

5.4 Cookie Preferences

• Manage cookies through browser settings
• Opt-out of analytics cookies
• Note: Some cookies are essential for site functionality

6. Cookie Policy

6.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit our website.

6.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for site functionality (login, security)
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how you use the site
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Analytics Cookies: Track usage patterns (Google Analytics)

6.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

7. Data Retention

7.1 Active Accounts

• We retain your data as long as your account is active
• Data is used to provide ongoing services

7.2 Inactive Accounts

• Accounts inactive for 2+ years may be deleted
• We will send notification before deletion

7.3 Account Deletion

• When you delete your account, most data is removed within 30 days
• Some data may be retained for legal/security purposes (e.g., transaction records)
• Anonymized data may be retained for analytics

7.4 Legal Requirements

• Some data must be retained to comply with tax, accounting, and legal requirements
• Typically retained for 7 years as per Indian law

8. Children's Privacy

• Way2Shaadi.com is intended for users 18 years and older
• We do not knowingly collect data from children under 18
• If we discover underage registration, the account will be terminated
• Parents: If your child has registered, please contact us immediately

9. International Data Transfers

• Your data is primarily stored on servers in India
• Some service providers may process data outside India
• We ensure adequate safeguards are in place for international transfers
• Data protection standards are maintained regardless of location

10. Changes to Privacy Policy

• We may update this policy from time to time
• Changes will be posted on this page with updated date
• We will notify you of significant changes via email
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
• We encourage you to review this policy periodically

11. Contact Us - Privacy Concerns

For any privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests:

• Email: privacy@way2shaadi.com
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@way2shaadi.com
• Phone: +91 1800-123-4567 (Toll Free) +91 22-4567-8900 (Office) +91 98765-43210 (WhatsApp Support)
• Address: Way2Shaadi.com Pvt. Ltd. Tower A, 5th Floor, Business Park Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri East Mumbai, Maharashtra 400093 India

Response Time: We aim to respond to privacy requests within 30 days.

Contact Privacy Team