Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Hapo ("we," "us," "our," or "Company"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience using our platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Hapo mobile application and website (collectively, the "Platform").

Hapo is a platform that enables businesses and service providers to list, showcase, and promote their work — including sharing images, portfolios, and service offerings — while allowing customers to discover and connect with them.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Platform. By accessing and using Hapo, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Registration: Name, email address, phone number, username, and password
• Business Profile Information: Business name, category, description, service offerings, working hours, address, website, and portfolio images
• Customer Profile Information: Name, profile picture, saved businesses, and preferences
• Location Information: City, area, or specific address provided during registration or while listing a business
• User-Generated Content: Images, photos, descriptions, reviews, and any other content you upload to the Platform
• Communication: Messages, feedback, support tickets, and inquiries submitted to us

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, device ID, and hardware model
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features accessed, businesses viewed, search queries, and time spent on the Platform
• Location Data: IP address, approximate GPS location (with your permission), and timezone information
• Cookies & Similar Technologies: Session tokens, unique identifiers, and analytics trackers
• Log Data: App crash reports, performance logs, and error data

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Social media platforms (if you sign in or connect your account via Google, Facebook, etc.)
• Analytics service providers
• Fraud detection and security services
• Government or regulatory authorities (when legally required)

3. How We Use Your Information

• Account Management: Creating and maintaining your account, verifying identity, and managing credentials
• Business Listings: Enabling businesses and service providers to create, manage, and display their profiles, portfolios, and images
• Discovery & Search: Helping customers discover relevant businesses and services based on location, category, and preferences
• Location Services: Showing nearby businesses and service providers relevant to you
• Communication: Sending account notifications, updates, promotional offers, and customer support responses
• Platform Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns, improving user experience, fixing bugs, and developing new features
• Security & Fraud Prevention: Detecting unauthorized access, preventing misuse, and enforcing community guidelines
• Legal Compliance: Complying with applicable laws and regulations in India
• Marketing: Sending newsletters and promotional content about new features or listings (with your consent)

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 We Share Your Information With:

• Other Platform Users: Business profiles, names, portfolio images, and service descriptions are visible to customers on the Platform (as intended)
• Service Providers: Cloud hosting providers, analytics services, customer support tools, and push notification services
• Legal Requirements: Government authorities, law enforcement, or courts when legally compelled or required by applicable law
• Business Partners: Third-party integrations that power features within the app (e.g., maps, image storage)
• Successors: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to the new entity

4.2 We Do NOT Share:

• Your private contact details (phone number, email) without your explicit consent
• Your precise location data with other users without your permission
• Your account credentials or password
• Your personal data with third parties for their own independent marketing purposes

5. Location Data

Hapo uses location information to help customers find nearby businesses and help businesses reach local customers. Specifically:

• Foreground Location: Used when you actively search for businesses or set your business location
• Approximate Location: Used to suggest relevant listings in your area
• Stored Location: Business addresses entered by business owners are stored and shown publicly on their profile

You can disable location permissions at any time through your device settings. Note that disabling location access may limit discovery features on the Platform.

6. User-Generated Content and Images

Hapo allows users — particularly businesses and service providers — to upload images and media to showcase their work. Please note:

• Images and content you upload to your public business profile are visible to all users of the Platform
• You are solely responsible for ensuring you have the rights to any images or content you upload
• We may review uploaded content to ensure compliance with our community guidelines
• We do not claim ownership of your content, but you grant us a licence to display it within the Platform
• You may delete your uploaded content at any time through your account settings

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data in transit
• Secure password hashing and storage
• Role-based access controls for internal systems
• Data encryption at rest
• Regular security reviews and vulnerability assessments
• Secure API endpoints

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

8. Your Privacy Rights

8.1 Right to Access

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. Contact us at privacy@hapo.app to submit an access request.

8.2 Right to Correction

You may update or correct inaccurate information in your account at any time through your profile settings or by contacting us.

8.3 Right to Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your account and personal data. Some information may be retained for legal compliance, fraud prevention, or dispute resolution as required by law.

8.4 Right to Withdraw Consent

If you have consented to marketing communications or location access, you may withdraw that consent at any time through your device or account settings.

8.5 Right to Objection

You may object to certain processing of your personal data by contacting us directly.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

• Account Data: Retained for the duration of your account plus 3 years after closure
• Business Listings & Images: Retained until deleted by the user or account termination
• Communication Records: Retained for up to 2 years for dispute resolution
• Analytics Data: Retained in anonymized form for up to 2 years
• Legal Obligations: Certain data may be retained longer if required by applicable Indian law

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our Platform:

• Essential Cookies: Required for login, security, and basic functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our Platform
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted advertising (with your consent)

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser or device settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect Platform functionality.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites, map services, or external platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Children's Privacy

Hapo is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.

For users aged 13–18, we recommend parental guidance when using the Platform and apply additional privacy safeguards as required by applicable law.

13. Compliance with Indian Laws

Hapo complies with applicable Indian laws and regulations, including:

• Information Technology Act, 2000
• Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA)
• CERT-In cybersecurity guidelines
• Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020

14. Cross-Border Data Transfers

While Hapo is based in India, we may engage third-party service providers (such as cloud hosting or analytics platforms) located in other countries. Any cross-border data transfers are conducted in compliance with applicable Indian data protection laws and subject to appropriate contractual safeguards.

15. Marketing and Communications

We may send you promotional emails, in-app notifications, and SMS messages about new features, nearby businesses, and offers. You can opt out at any time by:

• Clicking "Unsubscribe" in any promotional email
• Adjusting notification settings in your account or device
• Replying "STOP" to any SMS
• Contacting us at support@hapo.app

16. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach involving your personal information, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within the timeframes required by applicable law. Our notification will include the nature of the breach, the data affected, and the steps we are taking to address the situation.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our Platform and app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Sending an email or in-app notification for significant changes

Your continued use of Hapo after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

18. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

19. Grievance Redressal Officer

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, we have designated a Grievance Redressal Officer to address any privacy-related complaints or concerns: