1. Introduction
Welcome to Sanatan Setu Partner ("we", "our", "us", or "SmartPandit Partner App"). We are committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of personal data provided by our registered Vedic Pandits, Astrologers, Acharyas, and Spiritual Service Partners ("Partners", "you").
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, process, and protect your information when you register, access, or use the Sanatan Setu Partner Mobile Application on the Google Play Store or related web portals.
2. Information We Collect
To facilitate partner registration, background KYC verification, Puja booking assignment, live navigation, payout processing, and service delivery, we collect the following categories of data:
A. Personal & Profile Information
- Basic Details: Full Name, Mobile Phone Number, Email Address, Profile Photograph.
- Address Details: Current Residential Address, City, State, PIN Code.
- Professional Background: Vedic Qualifications, Gurukul/Sanad details, Specializations (e.g., Griha Pravesh, Satyanarayan Puja, Rudrabhishekam), Languages Spoken, Experience in Years.
B. Identity & KYC Verification Documents
- Aadhaar Card details and scanned front/back images.
- PAN Card number and image (for tax compliance & TDS deduction under Indian IT Act).
- Vedic Education Sanad or Experience Certificates for admin verification.
C. Financial & Settlement Information
- Bank Account Number, Account Holder Name, IFSC Code.
- UPI VPA / Wallet details for direct payout transfers.
- Payout history, booking earnings ledger, and tax withholding statements.
D. Precise Location Data (Foreground & Background)
📍 Important Notice regarding Location Collection
We collect precise GPS location data (including background location when the app is in 'On-Duty' status or while fulfilling an assigned booking) to assign nearby Puja requests based on your current proximity, calculate estimated travel times, and provide live arrival tracking to devotees.
Location data is collected ONLY when you toggle your status to "On-Duty / Available" or during active booking fulfillment. We do NOT track your location when your status is set to "Off-Duty".
E. Camera, Photos & Media Storage
- Camera Access: To capture live profile pictures during registration, scan KYC documents, and upload live proof photos of completed Pujas.
- Photo Library / Storage Access: To upload certificates, ID proofs, and documents from your device gallery.
F. Technical & Device Information
- Device Unique ID, Android ID, OS version, Device model.
- Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) Push Tokens for instant booking dispatch alerts.
- App interaction logs, crash reports, IP address, and performance analytics.
3. How We Use Your Information
We process your personal data strictly for operational, legal, and service fulfillment purposes:
- Booking Dispatch & Matching: Matching available Pandits with nearby Puja booking requests placed by devotees.
- Navigation & Fulfillment: Enabling accurate turn-by-turn route navigation and real-time tracking during active service calls.
- Identity Verification & Trust: Conducting KYC background checks to maintain high safety and authenticity standards for devotees.
- Payout Processing: Processing weekly/daily earnings settlements directly into your verified bank account or UPI ID.
- Push Notifications: Sending high-priority alerts for incoming bookings, schedule changes, and earnings deposits.
- Legal & Tax Compliance: Issuing TDS certificates and complying with statutory obligations under Indian tax laws.
4. Data Sharing & Third-Party Disclosure
We respect your privacy. We do NOT sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes. We share data only with essential service providers necessary for operating our platform:
- Mapping & Navigation: Google Maps Platform (for address geocoding and route calculation).
- Notification Dispatch: Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for push notifications.
- Payout Settlement Gateways: Banking institutions and RBI-regulated payment gateways (e.g., Razorpay / UPI Network) for automated payouts.
- Cloud Infrastructure: Encrypted cloud database servers (AWS / Supabase) located in secure data centers.
- Devotee Information Sharing: Limited contact information (Name & Phone Number) is shared with the specific devotee whose Puja booking you have accepted, solely for service coordination.
- Legal Requirements: Disclosing data if required by law enforcement, court order, or regulatory bodies.
5. Data Security Measures
We implement enterprise-grade security controls to protect your personal and financial data:
- All data transmitted between the app and backend is encrypted using TLS 1.3 / SSL (HTTPS).
- Sensitive documents (Aadhaar, PAN, Bank Details) are stored in restricted access cloud buckets with strong encryption at rest.
- Strict role-based access control (RBAC) ensures only authorized verification officers can view KYC documents.
6. Data Retention & Account Deletion Policy
We retain your personal information for as long as your Partner account remains active or as required to comply with statutory legal and accounting requirements.
🗑️ Request Account & Data Deletion
You have the right to request complete deletion of your account, profile, and associated personal data at any time.
How to Request Account Deletion:
- In-App Method: Open Sanatan Setu Partner App → Go to Profile / Settings → Tap "Request Account Deletion".
- Online Deletion Request Form: Visit our dedicated web portal at Account Deletion Page.
- Email Request: Send an email from your registered email address to privacy@sanatansetuu.com with the subject line "Partner Account Deletion Request - [Registered Mobile Number]".
Upon verification, your account profile, location history, and uploaded documents will be permanently erased or anonymized within 30 days, excluding financial payout logs required by Indian law.
7. App Permissions Required
The Sanatan Setu Partner App requests the following device permissions:
- ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION Precise GPS location for booking assignment and navigation.
- ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION Background tracking during active booking fulfillment for devotee live updates.
- CAMERA Capturing profile photo, KYC documents, and Puja completion photos.
- READ_MEDIA_IMAGES Selecting certificates and identity proofs from phone storage.
- POST_NOTIFICATIONS Receiving real-time Puja booking alerts and payout updates.
8. Children's Privacy
Our platform and Partner services are strictly intended for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect or solicit data from children under 18.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect app updates or regulatory changes. Updated policies will be posted on this page with a revised "Effective Date". Continued use of the Partner App constitutes agreement to the updated policy.
10. Contact Us & Support
If you have any questions, concerns, or grievances regarding this Privacy Policy or data handling: