Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 1, 2025

Welcome to Searcho ("we", "our", "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how Searcho collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Platform"). By using Searcho, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly, information generated through your use of the Platform, and information from third parties.

1.1 Information You Provide

Account Details: Full name, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender, and profile photo when you register.
Identity & KYC: For agents — government-issued ID (PAN card, Aadhaar card) to verify identity and process payments.
Financial Information: Bank account details or UPI ID when you request withdrawals (agents only). We do not store full card numbers.
Listings & Content: Photos, descriptions, prices, and other content you upload when posting an ad, showcase, or advertisement.
Messages: Chat messages exchanged with other users on the Platform.
Location: Your city, state, and address (entered manually or via GPS when you choose to share it) to show relevant local content.
Referral Information: If you refer other users or are referred, we record the referral relationship to calculate commissions.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

Device Information: Device model, operating system, unique device identifiers, app version.
Usage Data: Pages visited, searches performed, features used, time and duration of visits, crash reports.
IP Address & Network: Your IP address and internet service provider.
Push Notification Token: To send you relevant in-app notifications (you may disable this in device settings).

1.3 Information from Third Parties

Payment verification data from Razorpay when you subscribe to a plan.
Location data from Google Maps API when you use the location picker feature.

2. How We Use Your Information

To create and manage your account.
To enable buying, selling, and trading on the Platform.
To show relevant local listings, ads, and showrooms near you.
To process subscriptions and agent wallet transactions.
To send service notifications, security alerts, and (with your consent) promotional messages.
To verify the identity of agents (KYC compliance).
To calculate and process agent commissions.
To prevent fraud, abuse, and illegal activity.
To improve, personalise, and develop new features.
To comply with applicable laws and legal obligations.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

With Other Users: Your public profile (name, profile photo), listing details, and messages are shared with users you interact with.
With Your Agent: If you are registered through an agent, the agent can see your name, phone number, and recharge history to calculate their commission.
Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors (e.g., cloud hosting, payment processors, email services, analytics) who process data on our behalf under confidentiality agreements.
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred. We will notify you before your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. You may delete your account at any time; upon deletion, we delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law (e.g., financial records for tax purposes — retained for 7 years).

5. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten").
Withdraw consent for data processing at any time.
Object to direct marketing.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@searcho.app.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including HTTPS encryption, secure cloud infrastructure, access controls, and regular security audits. However, no system is 100% secure — please use a strong password and keep your account credentials safe.

7. Children's Privacy

Searcho is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a minor has provided us data, please contact us immediately at privacy@searcho.app.

8. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and encourage you to read their privacy policies.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes via the app or email. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance.

10. Contact Us

For privacy-related concerns, contact our Data Protection Officer at:

Searcho
Email: privacy@searcho.app
Phone: +91 98765 43210