Privacy Policy
Last updated: 7 August 2026 · Effective: 7 August 2026
This Privacy Policy explains what Ghantagram collects, how we use and disclose it, how long we keep it, and the choices available to you. In plain terms: we collect data needed to operate a safe hyperlocal network and limited analytics, we do not sell or rent personal data, and you can request deletion of your account and associated data.
Who we are. Ghantagram is operated as a sole proprietorship by Arun B K, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Ghantagram is the Data Fiduciary responsible for the personal data described here. Contact us at info@ghantagram.com.
1. Scope
This policy applies to the Ghantagram mobile application, the website at https://www.ghantagram.com, and the support, notification and account-management services connected to them (together, the “Service”). Third-party services may also apply their own privacy policies when you use them.
2. Information we collect
We collect the information needed to create accounts, provide local feeds and community features, deliver notifications, provide support, maintain safety and understand whether the Service is working properly.
| Data | Examples and why we collect it |
|---|---|
| Account and authentication data | Email address, account/user ID, authentication provider information and login records. If you choose to add or update one, we also process your phone number. We use these details to create, verify, secure and manage your account, recover access and send essential communications. |
| Profile and area data | Name, username, gender, profession, profile photo, language, theme preference, pin code, street, locality, city and state. Some fields are optional. We use these details to operate your profile, identify your local area and personalise the language and appearance of the Service. |
| Content and communications | Bells, Polls, comments, Ring Backs, photos, videos, Community content, reports, direct messages, support requests and support attachments. We process this data to publish or deliver what you request, enable conversations and provide safety, moderation and support. |
| Social and feature activity | Follows, saves, votes, blocks, Community memberships and invitations, recent pin codes, notification preferences and interactions with Service features. We use this data to provide those features and protect the community. |
| Location | Your selected pin code and approximate area are stored for local feeds. If you voluntarily tap “Use current location”, the app accesses your device coordinates once and transmits them securely to our Supabase-powered nearest-pin-code service. The coordinates are used to answer that request in real time and are not saved in your Ghantagram profile or application database; the resulting pin code may be saved. Ghantagram does not access location in the background. |
| Device, notification and network data | Firebase installation/app-instance identifiers, push-notification registration tokens, advertising identifiers when made available by Android and Google Analytics, device and operating-system information, app version, language, network information, IP-derived approximate location and server request logs. We use this data for notifications, security, analytics and reliable operation. |
| Analytics and diagnostics | App opens, sessions and limited feature events such as sign-in outcome, publishing a Bell, submitting a search, Ring Backs, votes, follows, sending a direct message, reports and notification opens. Our custom Firebase events are designed not to include email addresses, phone numbers, message bodies, post text or search-query text. Website analytics may include page usage and performance information. |
Information you choose to provide. Optional phone numbers are not shown publicly. Support requests may include a reply email, an optional phone number, a message and an optional image attachment.
Sensitive information. Please do not post health, financial, caste, religious, biometric or other sensitive information about yourself or another person in public content unless it is lawful and necessary and you have the required consent.
3. How we use information
- To create, verify, secure and manage your account;
- To provide local feeds, profiles, Communities, posts, messages and other features;
- To deliver notifications and essential service communications;
- To provide support and respond to account-deletion and privacy requests;
- To translate or transliterate content when the relevant feature is used;
- To measure feature usage and improve performance and reliability;
- To detect and prevent spam, abuse, fraud and security incidents;
- To review reports and enforce our Terms and Community Guidelines; and
- To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.
4. Analytics and advertising
The mobile app uses Google Analytics for Firebase. Firebase automatically assigns an app-instance identifier and may collect device information, app lifecycle and session events, IP-derived approximate location and an Android advertising identifier when it is available. We also send the limited, content-free feature events described above.
Ghantagram does not display third-party advertising and does not sell or rent personal data. We use analytics to understand use of the Service and improve reliability, not to insert an engagement-maximising ranking into your local feed. Feed ordering remains based on the choices and rules presented in the app.
5. How we disclose information
We do not sell or rent your personal data. We disclose it only as described below:
- Service providers. Providers process data to operate the Service on our behalf. They currently include Supabase (authentication, database, storage and backend), Vercel (website/API hosting, web analytics and performance insights), Google (Google Sign-In, Firebase Analytics and Firebase Cloud Messaging), Resend (email delivery) and Sarvam AI (translation and transliteration when enabled and requested). Their systems may process data outside India.
- Other users. Public Bells, Polls, comments, Ring Backs, public Community activity, your display name, username and profile photo are visible as described in the app. Direct messages are available only to their participants, subject to authorised safety and legal access. Your email and optional phone number are not shown publicly.
- Translation. Text submitted for enabled translation or transliteration features may be sent to Sarvam AI to return the requested language output.
- Legal and safety. We may disclose information when reasonably required by law or valid legal process, or to protect users, the public, Ghantagram or the Service.
- Business transfer. Data may transfer as part of a merger, acquisition, restructuring or asset transfer, subject to this policy and applicable law.
6. Data retention and account deletion
We keep personal data while your account is active and for as long as needed to provide the Service. Different records may have different retention periods based on their purpose.
- Delete in the app. Go to Profile → Settings → Delete account and confirm the request.
- Request deletion on the web. If you cannot access the app, submit a request at https://www.ghantagram.com/delete-account. We will verify control of the account email before completing a manual request.
- What is deleted. Account credentials and active profile data are deleted, and associated content, messages, social activity, notification tokens and uploaded account media are removed or de-identified from active systems, except for the limited records described below.
- Limited retention. We may retain deletion/support correspondence, security and anti-abuse records, moderation decisions, records required by law, and de-identified or aggregated analytics that no longer identify the account. We keep such records only for as long as reasonably necessary for the stated purpose.
- Backups and provider systems. Residual copies may remain temporarily in encrypted backups or provider recovery systems until overwritten through their normal retention cycles. They are not restored for ordinary use after deletion.
7. Security
We use safeguards including encryption in transit, provider encryption at rest, access controls and database row-level security. No transmission or storage method is perfectly secure. If a personal-data breach occurs, we will respond and provide notifications as required by applicable law.
8. Your rights and choices
Subject to applicable law, you may:
- Access information about the personal data we hold and how it is processed;
- Correct, complete or update profile and account information;
- Delete your account and associated data through the paths described above;
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
- Control optional location access and notification permission in device settings;
- Nominate another individual as provided under applicable Indian law; and
- Raise a grievance with us and, where available, the competent authority.
To exercise a right, email info@ghantagram.com or use our account-deletion request page.
9. Children
The Service is intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly allow anyone under 18 to create an account. If you believe a minor is using the Service, contact info@ghantagram.com so we can investigate and take appropriate action.
10. International processing
The Service is intended for users in India. Our service providers may process information in India and other countries. Where required, we take steps intended to provide protection consistent with applicable law.
11. Grievance Officer and contact
Data Fiduciary: Ghantagram, operated by Arun B K
Grievance Officer: Arun B K
Email: info@ghantagram.com
Address: No.1, Block J, 8th Floor, Thawa HIG-TNHB Housing Complex, Natesan Nagar West, Virugambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India - 600092
We will acknowledge and address privacy complaints within the time required by applicable law. You may also approach the competent authority where the law permits.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the Service or law changes. We will post the revised policy with an updated date and provide additional notice for material changes where required.