Privacy Policy

This Privacy Notice for Pathrika Tech Solutions (doing business as Pathrika) ("we", "us", or "our"), describes how and why we might access, collect, store, use, and/or share ("process") your personal information when you use our services ("Services"), including when you:

• Visit our website at http://www.pathrika.in or any website of ours that links to this Privacy Notice.
• Download and use our mobile application (Pathrika), or any other application of ours that links to this Privacy Notice.
• Engage with us in other related ways, including any marketing, billing, or SMS communication events.

Questions or concerns? Reading this Privacy Notice will help you understand your privacy rights and choices. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. If you still have any questions or concerns, please contact us at support@pathrika.in.

1. WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

Personal information you disclose to us

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you register on the Services. The personal information we collect depends on whether you are a Newspaper Agent (Subscriber) or a Customer (End-User).

Information collected from Agents:

• Name
• Profile photos or images (used to help agent's customers recognize and verify them)
• Phone numbers and email addresses
• Address
• Bank account information for payment settlements
• Pathrika Credit balances, purchase history, and ledger usage data

(Note: Sensitive KYC documents, such as PAN or Aadhaar cards, are not stored on Pathrika's servers. They are collected and securely managed directly by our payment gateway partners during the financial onboarding process.)

Information processed on behalf of Agents (Customer Data):

As a SaaS platform, we process data entered by Agents regarding their customers. This includes Customer names, delivery addresses, phone numbers, and subscription details. Pathrika acts as a Data Processor for this information.

• Sensitive Information: We do not process sensitive information (such as racial origins, religious beliefs, or health data).
• Payment & KYC Data: We may collect basic data necessary to process your payment. All sensitive payment data (like UPI PINs or card numbers) and sensitive KYC documents (like PAN/Aadhaar) are securely handled, encrypted, and stored exclusively by our payment gateway partners. You may find their privacy notices on their respective websites.

Application Data:

If you use our application(s), we may collect the following information:

• Mobile Device Data: We automatically collect device information (such as mobile device ID, model, operating system) to maintain security and troubleshoot bugs.
• Push Notifications & SMS: We request permission to send push notifications and DLT-registered SMS/WhatsApp messages regarding account billing and features.

2. HOW DO WE PROCESS YOUR INFORMATION?

We process your personal information for a variety of reasons, depending on how you interact with our Services, including:

• To facilitate account creation: To allow Agents to log in and manage their ledger.
• To build customer trust and verify identity: To display the Agent's profile photo to customers when sending subscription requests or billing links, ensuring customers know who is requesting payment.
• To deliver services: To generate invoices, calculate subscription dues, manage Pathrika Credit balances, and facilitate online UPI payments.
• To send administrative information: To send bill links, payment receipts, and policy updates to Agents and Customers.
• To protect our Services: For fraud monitoring and prevention.
• To comply with legal obligations: To comply with Indian taxation, telecom (TRAI/DLT), and financial regulations.

3. WHEN AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

We only share information with specific third parties necessary to run the Pathrika platform:

• Financial Service Providers: We share necessary transaction and basic account data with the payment gateway strictly to facilitate KYC onboarding, process UPI/Card payments, and settle funds to the Agent's bank account.
• Telecom & Messaging Partners: We share phone numbers and billing amounts with telecom operators and WhatsApp or Messaging (SMS & Email) API providers solely to deliver DLT-compliant billing SMS and payment links.
• Business Transfers: We may share or transfer your information in connection with any merger, sale of company assets, or financing.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose data if required by Indian law enforcement or regulatory bodies.

4. DO WE USE COOKIES AND OTHER TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES?

We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies (like web beacons and pixels) to gather information when you interact with our Services. These technologies help us maintain the security of your account, prevent crashes, and save your login preferences.

5. HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION?

We will only keep your personal information for as long as it is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Notice, unless a longer retention period is required by Indian law (such as tax, accounting, or IT laws). When we have no ongoing legitimate business need to process your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

6. HOW DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SAFE?

We have implemented appropriate and reasonable technical and organisational security measures designed to protect the security of any personal information we process, in compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000. However, despite our safeguards, no electronic transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Transmission of personal information to and from our Services is at your own risk.

7. DO WE COLLECT INFORMATION FROM MINORS?

We do not knowingly collect data from or market to children under 18 years of age. By using the Services, you represent that you are at least 18. If we learn that personal information from users less than 18 years of age has been collected, we will deactivate the account and delete such data.

8. WHAT ARE YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS?

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and other applicable Indian laws, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal and accounting retention requirements).
• Withdraw your consent to data processing.

To exercise these rights:

• Agents: Log in to your account settings to update your profile, or email us.
• Customers: Please contact your Newspaper Agent directly to update your delivery or subscription details. For platform-specific data requests, you may email us at support@pathrika.in.

9. DO WE MAKE UPDATES TO THIS NOTICE?

Yes, we will update this notice as necessary to stay compliant with relevant Indian laws. The updated version will be indicated by an updated "Revised" date at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this Privacy Notice frequently.

10. HOW CAN YOU CONTACT US ABOUT THIS NOTICE?

If you have questions or comments about this notice, you may email us at support@pathrika.in or contact us by post at: