Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Aangan is a private, real-identity platform for reconnecting with the people you grew up with — your school batch, college mates, old colleagues, neighbours, and family. Aangan also helps small local businesses get discovered by neighbours through a verified directory, and lets customers place orders directly with those businesses. Aangan is operated by AapSaathi, based in India.

This policy explains what data we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over your data. It applies to your use of Aangan through any device — web browser, mobile web, or installed app — whether you're a community member, a business owner, or a customer.

2. What we collect & why

From everyone using Aangan

• Your name and photo — so batchmates can recognise you.
• Your phone or email — used for sign-in only.
• The batches you join — so we can show the right people the right content.
• Your posts and comments — so other members of your batch can see them.
• Your current city — helps batchmates find each other, and helps us show you nearby businesses.

Chats are stored so you can access them across devices, and stay until you clear them.

From business owners

If you register a business, we also collect:

• Business name, type, category, and address — so customers can find you.
• Your business phone and any additional contact numbers you add.
• Business hours, delivery preferences, and products — to power your listing.
• Logo, cover image, and posts you publish — so customers see your brand.
• Compliance details such as an FSSAI number and certificate image for food businesses — to verify your business is licensed.

From customers who place orders

When you order from a business on Aangan, the business receives your name, phone number, and order details so they can fulfil the order. We keep your order history to help with support.

What we don't collect

• Payment information. Aangan does not process payments. Customers pay businesses directly by UPI, cash, or any link the business shares. We never see or store your card or UPI details.
• Precise GPS location. We use the city you tell us — nothing more precise.
• Your phone contacts. We never read your contacts list.

3. Who we share with

We do not sell your data to advertisers, data brokers, or anyone else. Your data is only visible to others in these cases:

• Within your batch — verified members of the same batch see your name, photo, and posts.
• Businesses you connect with — when a business is verified, connected customers can see its contact details to call, message, or order.
• Businesses you order from — receive your name, phone, and order details to fulfil your order.

Blocking. You can block another member or a business owner at any time — from their profile, from a chat, or from Settings → Blocked users. Once blocked, neither of you can message the other, and no new orders can be placed between you. Reporting is separate: use the in-app report option on any post or chat to flag it for review.

We use Google Firebase for authentication, database, and notifications; our primary database is hosted in the Mumbai (asia-south1) region. These providers process data only on our instructions. We may disclose data when required by Indian law — for example a court order or tax compliance.

4. Your rights

You can access, correct, delete, or download your data at any time. Open the app and go to Settings → Privacy & data, or use Delete account to remove everything. You can also withdraw consent for any specific processing by emailing aangangrievance@gmail.com — this may limit some features.

5. Data retention

Posts, comments, and chat messages stay until you delete them. Either party can clear a chat for themselves any time. Business listings and order history are kept while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards, to support disputes and customer service. After account deletion, all your data is removed following a 14-day grace period — sign in within that window if you change your mind. Some records may be kept longer where Indian law requires it.

6. Children

Aangan is strictly an 18+ platform, for both community members and business owners. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has signed up, email aangangrievance@gmail.com and we will remove the account.

7. Security

We protect your data with encryption in transit (HTTPS), encryption at rest, and access controls. No system is perfectly secure — please keep your account safe.

8. Contact

Grievance Officer (per India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023) — for privacy and data concerns: aangangrievance@gmail.com. We aim to acknowledge within 48 hours.

Support — for reports, business verification, and help: aangansupport@gmail.com.

General queries: info@aapsaathi.com.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy occasionally. Significant changes will be communicated in-app or by email. The current version and date are shown at the top of this page.