Privacy Policy

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy explains how Geowatch India collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use GeoWatch. We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable Indian data protection laws.

2. Information We Collect

Account information: name, email address, hashed password, role, and license key. Collected when you register.

Payment information: buyer name, email, phone number, UTR/transaction reference, and amount paid. Collected when you purchase.

Usage data: login timestamps, pages accessed, search queries, and bookmark/saved search content. Collected automatically to provide and improve the Service.

Technical data: IP address, user agent, and session tokens. Collected for security and fraud prevention.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to: (a) provide and operate the Service; (b) activate and manage your account; (c) process refunds and respond to support requests; (d) detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access; (e) send service-related notifications (security alerts, license expiry reminders); (f) comply with legal obligations.

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only with: (a) infrastructure providers (hosting, database) under confidentiality agreements; (b) AI model providers (Google Gemini) strictly for generating summaries of public news — your account data is never sent; (c) law enforcement if legally required.

5. Data Security

We protect your data using industry-standard measures: password hashing (bcrypt, 12 rounds), TLS 1.3 encryption in transit, encrypted storage at rest, and regular security updates. However, no system is 100% secure. You are responsible for keeping your password confidential.

6. Data Retention

Account and payment records are retained for the duration of your license and for 12 months afterward for legal and accounting purposes. Usage logs are retained for 90 days. You may request deletion of your account by emailing privacy@geowatch.in.

7. Cookies

We use a single essential cookie for session authentication (httpOnly, secure). We do not use advertising or third-party tracking cookies.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to: (a) access your personal data; (b) correct inaccuracies; (c) request deletion (subject to legal retention requirements); (d) export your data; (e) withdraw consent. Contact privacy@geowatch.in to exercise these rights.

9. Third-Party Content

The Service aggregates publicly available news and investigations. When you click "Open Source" or similar links, you leave our platform and become subject to the destination site's privacy policy. We have no control over external sites.

10. Children

The Service is not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Service.

12. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy? Email privacy@geowatch.in.