Privacy Policy

Pandal Sathi ("Pandal Sathi", "we", "us", "our", "Platform" or "Website") respects the privacy of individuals who use our services.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, protect and otherwise process information relating to users of Pandal Sathi.

Pandal Sathi is an online platform designed to help adults discover profiles, communicate with other members and potentially develop personal, social, romantic or matrimonial relationships.

By registering for or using Pandal Sathi, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. ABOUT THIS PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through:

• the Pandal Sathi website;
• user registration;
• profile creation;
• profile searches;
• match requests;
• chat and messaging;
• membership/subscription services;
• customer support;
• complaints and reports;
• payment-related transactions;
• verification processes;
• emails and other communications from us;
• other services or features that expressly link to this Privacy Policy.

This Policy should be read together with our:

• Terms & Conditions
• Refund & Cancellation Policy
• Community Guidelines
• Safety Guidelines
• Cookie Policy, where applicable.

2. WHO OPERATES PANDAL SATHI?

Pandal Sathi is operated by:

Legal Entity Name: Pandal Sathi

Brand Name: Pandal Sathi

For privacy-related queries:

Privacy/Grievance Contact: grievance@pandlesathi.com

The actual legal entity operating the website should be inserted before publication.

3. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

Depending upon how you use Pandal Sathi, we may collect different categories of information.

3.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we may collect:

• name;
• email address;
• mobile number;
• password or authentication information;
• date of birth;
• age;
• gender;
• location;
• profile username;
• account preferences.

3.2 Profile Information

You may voluntarily provide information such as:

• profile photograph;
• occupation;
• education;
• interests;
• hobbies;
• relationship preferences;
• lifestyle preferences;
• preferred location;
• languages;
• personal description;
• festival/cultural interests;
• availability;
• other information you choose to include in your profile.

Some profile information may be visible to other registered members depending on your privacy settings and the functionality of the Platform.

4. PHOTOGRAPHS AND PROFILE CONTENT

If you upload photographs or other content to Pandal Sathi, that information may become visible to other members according to the visibility settings and features applicable to your account.

You should therefore avoid uploading:

• confidential documents;
• Aadhaar cards;
• PAN cards;
• bank statements;
• passwords;
• credit/debit card details;
• private documents;
• information belonging to another person without permission.

You are responsible for ensuring that photographs and information uploaded by you do not violate another person's privacy or intellectual-property rights.

5. CHAT AND COMMUNICATION DATA

If Pandal Sathi provides messaging or chat functionality, we may process information associated with communications occurring through the Platform.

This may include:

• sender and recipient;
• date and time;
• message metadata;
• reports relating to messages;
• attachments or other content submitted through the messaging system.

Where permitted or required by law, certain communications or associated information may be reviewed, processed, retained or disclosed for:

• safety;
• fraud prevention;
• abuse investigation;
• security;
• moderation;
• compliance with law;
• responding to lawful governmental or law-enforcement requests.

We do not claim that all private communications are continuously manually reviewed by our staff.

6. PAYMENT INFORMATION

If you purchase a membership or other paid service, payments may be processed by a third-party payment gateway.

Depending on the payment method, we may receive information such as:

• transaction ID;
• payment status;
• amount paid;
• date/time of transaction;
• subscription or membership information;
• limited payment-related information.

Where payment processing is handled by a third party, your card, banking or payment credentials may be processed directly by that provider according to its own privacy policy and security practices.

Pandal Sathi does not intend to store complete card numbers, CVV numbers or banking passwords on its own servers unless specifically required and lawfully handled through an appropriate compliant system.

7. DEVICE AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION

When you access Pandal Sathi, certain technical information may automatically be collected.

This may include:

• IP address;
• browser type;
• operating system;
• device type;
• screen information;
• approximate location derived from technical information;
• access times;
• pages visited;
• referral information;
• session information;
• error logs;
• security logs.

We may use this information to operate, secure and improve the Platform.

8. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

Pandal Sathi may use cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies may be used for purposes such as:

• keeping users logged in;
• remembering preferences;
• maintaining sessions;
• improving website performance;
• security;
• analytics;
• understanding how the Platform is used;
• preventing fraudulent activity.

Where required, we will provide appropriate information and choices regarding cookies and similar technologies.

9. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We may process information for legitimate and lawful purposes including:

Account Management

• creating your account;
• authenticating users;
• maintaining profiles;
• managing memberships.

Matchmaking

• allowing you to search profiles;
• displaying relevant profiles;
• providing matching or compatibility features;
• facilitating match requests.

Communication

• enabling member-to-member communication;
• sending notifications;
• responding to enquiries.

Security

• detecting suspicious behaviour;
• preventing fraud;
• preventing unauthorised access;
• protecting members;
• investigating abuse.

Platform Improvement

• understanding usage patterns;
• improving functionality;
• fixing technical problems;
• developing new features.

Payments

• processing subscriptions;
• maintaining transaction records;
• preventing payment fraud;
• handling refunds and disputes.

Legal Compliance

We may process information where necessary to:

• comply with applicable Indian law;
• respond to lawful governmental requests;
• comply with court orders;
• investigate suspected unlawful activity;
• protect legal rights;
• establish or defend legal claims.

10. LEGAL BASIS / AUTHORITY FOR PROCESSING

We will process personal data in accordance with applicable law.

Depending upon the circumstances and the legal framework applicable at the relevant time, processing may be based on:

• your consent;
• your request to provide a service;
• performance of an agreement;
• compliance with legal obligations;
• legitimate and lawful purposes permitted under applicable law;
• protection of rights, safety and security;
• other lawful grounds recognised by applicable Indian law.

The DPDP Act, 2023 establishes a framework governing processing of digital personal data in India, while the DPDP Rules, 2025 provide implementation requirements and have specified commencement dates for different provisions.

Pandal Sathi will update its operational privacy practices as provisions become applicable.

11. YOUR PROFILE VISIBILITY

Pandal Sathi is fundamentally a social/matchmaking platform.

Therefore, information that you intentionally publish as part of your profile may be visible to other users.

Depending on the Platform's functionality, other members may be able to see information such as:

• your display name;
• age;
• profile photograph;
• occupation;
• location;
• interests;
• profile description;
• compatibility information;
• availability;
• other information you choose to publish.

Do not publish information that you do not want other members to see.

12. INFORMATION SHARED WITH OTHER USERS

When you interact with another member, some information may become available to that member.

For example:

If you send a match request: the recipient may see your profile information.

If you accept a match: additional profile information may become available according to the Platform's functionality.

If you use chat: information shared voluntarily in the conversation may be accessible to the other participant.

Once you voluntarily disclose information to another member, Pandal Sathi cannot guarantee how that person will subsequently use or share it.

13. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS

We may use trusted third-party service providers for:

• hosting;
• cloud infrastructure;
• payment processing;
• email delivery;
• SMS/OTP services;
• analytics;
• cybersecurity;
• fraud detection;
• customer support;
• database management;
• authentication;
• technical maintenance.

Such providers may process personal information on our behalf where necessary to provide their services.

We expect relevant service providers to maintain appropriate security and confidentiality arrangements.

14. WHEN WE MAY DISCLOSE INFORMATION

We do not sell your personal information merely because you have created an account.

However, information may be disclosed where necessary to:

Service Providers

To vendors who help operate Pandal Sathi.

Legal Authorities

Where disclosure is required or authorised by applicable law, court order or lawful governmental request.

Fraud and Security

Where necessary to investigate fraud, abuse, cybersecurity incidents or threats.

Protection of Rights

Where disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect Pandal Sathi, its members, employees, service providers or the public.

Business Transfers

If Pandal Sathi is involved in:

• merger;
• acquisition;
• restructuring;
• sale of assets;
• investment;
• corporate reorganisation;

relevant information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law and appropriate safeguards.

15. DATA SECURITY

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information from:

• unauthorised access;
• alteration;
• disclosure;
• destruction;
• misuse;
• loss.

Security measures may include:

• encryption where appropriate;
• access controls;
• authentication mechanisms;
• secure hosting;
• monitoring;
• backups;
• logging;
• security reviews.

However, no internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

You acknowledge that transmission of information over the internet carries inherent risks.

16. DATA BREACHES

If Pandal Sathi becomes aware of a personal-data breach, we will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable law.

Depending upon the nature and legal requirements applicable to the incident, this may include:

• investigating the incident;
• containing the breach;
• restoring affected systems;
• assessing the potential impact;
• notifying appropriate authorities;
• notifying affected individuals where required;
• taking measures to prevent recurrence.

17. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or as required/permitted by applicable law.

Retention periods may depend upon:

• whether your account remains active;
• legal obligations;
• payment/accounting requirements;
• dispute resolution;
• fraud prevention;
• security;
• enforcement of our Terms;
• legitimate business requirements.

When information is no longer required, we may delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it in accordance with applicable requirements.

18. ACCOUNT DELETION

You may request deletion or closure of your Pandal Sathi account through:

Account Settings → Delete Account

or by contacting:

GRIEVANCE@PANDELSATHI.COM

Upon receiving a valid request, we will process deletion in accordance with applicable law.

Certain information may need to be retained for:

• legal compliance;
• fraud prevention;
• financial/accounting records;
• dispute resolution;
• security;
• enforcement of agreements.

Therefore, account deletion may not necessarily result in immediate deletion of every record from every system.

19. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

Subject to applicable Indian law and its commencement, you may have rights relating to your personal data, including rights to:

• obtain information about processing;
• access information;
• correct inaccurate information;
• update information;
• request deletion where legally applicable;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
• nominate another individual where provided by law;
• raise a grievance;
• exercise other rights available under applicable law.

The exact scope and procedure for exercising these rights will depend on the provisions legally applicable at the time of your request.

The DPDP framework specifically establishes rights for Data Principals and obligations for Data Fiduciaries, with the detailed implementation framework provided by the 2025 Rules.

20. WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent through available account controls or by contacting us.

Withdrawal of consent will not affect processing that occurred lawfully before withdrawal.

Withdrawal may also affect our ability to provide certain services or features that require the relevant information.

21. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Pandal Sathi is strictly intended for adults aged 18 years and above.

We do not knowingly permit minors to create accounts.

If we become aware that an account has been created by a person below the permitted age, we may suspend or delete the account and take appropriate action.

If you believe a minor has created an account, please contact:

Email: report@pandelsathi.com

22. SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Please do not voluntarily upload unnecessary sensitive information to your public profile.

This includes:

• Aadhaar numbers;
• PAN numbers;
• bank account information;
• passwords;
• OTPs;
• financial credentials;
• medical documents;
• confidential employment documents;
• government identification documents.

If you choose to disclose sensitive personal information to another member through chat, you do so at your own discretion and risk.

23. MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

We may send service-related communications necessary to operate your account.

Where required by applicable law, promotional communications will be subject to appropriate consent or communication preferences.

You may opt out of promotional communications using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in the relevant communication or through account settings.

You may still receive essential communications relating to:

• account security;
• transactions;
• payments;
• service changes;
• legal notices;
• account status.

24. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL

The applicable IT Rules framework includes requirements concerning publication of grievance-officer details and complaint mechanisms for covered intermediaries.

Pandal Sathi will handle grievances according to applicable law and the requirements applicable to its classification and services.

25. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Changes may occur because of:

• changes in law;
• regulatory requirements;
• new features;
• changes in data-processing practices;
• security improvements;
• business changes.

The updated version will display a revised "Last Updated" date.

Where required by applicable law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent.

26. GOVERNING LAW

This Privacy Policy shall be governed by the laws of India.

Nothing in this Policy is intended to remove or restrict any mandatory right or remedy available to an individual under applicable law.