1.1 What is the information collected?

When you register on Akatsa services, use the platform, complete forms, or participate in programs, you are asked to provide personal information, including email address, login details, name, profile details, telephone number, date of birth, transactional information, payment method details, and additional authentication information. Information in communications with Akatsa services, blog posts, forums, and user-generated content is also collected. Akatsa services collect information while you use the platform, including transaction and communication details, searches, pages visited, clicks, and other actions. This includes geo-location, IP address, device information, operating system, session duration, language, browser information, and web-log information. Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance the online experience. If you link your account to a third-party service (e.g., Google, Facebook), Akatsa services receives registration and profile information from that service. Inviting contacts, integrating third-party information, and collaboration tools also contribute to the information collected.
Personal information provided, collected automatically, or obtained from third parties is combined for the purposes outlined in the privacy policy.

1.2 How do we utilize your information?

Utilising your personal information to process orders, fulfil purchases, handle payments, and keep you informed about orders,services, and promotional offers. Employing your personal information to provide, troubleshoot, and enhance the functionality of Akatsa Services. This includes analysing performance, rectifying errors, and improving the usability and effectiveness of our services and features. Using your personal information to suggest relevant features, products, and services, tailoring recommendations to your preferences, and personalising your overall experience with Akatsa Services. Collecting and utilising your personal information as required by laws. For example, obtaining information from professionals, such as their address, company details, licence no and bank account details, for identity verification and other legal purposes. Employing your personal information to communicate with you regarding Akatsa Services through various channels, including phone, email, and chat. Utilising your personal information to display interest-based ads related to features, products, and services that may align with your preferences. Importantly, we ensure that information identifying you personally is not used for interest-based advertising. Using personal information to prevent, detect fraud and abuse, safeguarding the security of our customers, Akatsa, and other stakeholders.

This Site is also protected by reCAPTCHA. Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply with respect to data collected by reCAPTCHA. The use of Google reCAPTCHA is required in order to prevent fraud and misuse of the Site by use of automated machines. To learn more, please see Google's privacy policy.

1.3 Whom do we share your information with?

Once you register, certain information such as your username, district, city, and additional details about your activity will be made public and visible to buyers of the Site. This includes photos, your published portfolio, description, ratings, reviews, and additional information you choose to add to your profile. Please be aware that sharing such information is at your own risk.We share personal information with service providers for the purpose of operating the Site, managing your account, and providing ancillary services. These service providers include hosting services, billing and payment processors, fraud detection services, CRM systems, forum hosting, community management services, cybersecurity services, web analytics tools, translation tools, IT SaaS services, communication systems, and legal and financial advisors. We take appropriate measures to ensure third parties safeguard personal information and process it in accordance with our instructions.Personal information may be shared with law enforcement agencies, public authorities, or other parties in response to a court order, judicial process, or regulatory authorities, if required by law. This may also occur if we believe it is necessary to comply with legal processes, investigate fraud, or protect against security breaches.We share personal information with payment processors, fraud detection agencies, and similar third parties to facilitate payments on the Site, secure the platform, and protect against fraud, unauthorised transactions, claims, or other liabilities.Limited personal information is shared with social media platforms and marketing partners, such as Facebook and Google, to promote our services. These features and third-party services are governed by their respective policies.Personal information may be disclosed in the event of a business transition, such as a merger, sale, transfer of assets, acquisition, bankruptcy, or similar event. If we sell any business or assets, user data will be disclosed to the prospective buyer. In the event of the acquisition of our assets by a third party, user information will be one of the transferred assets.

1.4 What information can be accessed by you?

The information accessible to you includes your name, address, payment options, profile details, listed properties, saved properties, and purchase history. You can manage this information in the "Profile" section of the website or application. For updates to your personal details, we'll request identity verification before processing your request. If you encounter issues deleting your personal information, contact our customer Support, and we will make reasonable efforts to comply with applicable privacy laws for information deletion.Your personal information can be reviewed and modified by logging in and visiting your account profile page.

1.5 Is childrens allowed to use our services ?

Akatsa does not sell services for purchase by children. If you are under the age of 18 years, you may use Akatsa Services only with the involvement of a parent or guardian.

1.6 Legal basis for our utilisation of your personal information

In accordance with applicable laws, all processing of your personal information will be justified on a "lawful ground" for processing. Generally, processing is based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you have provided explicit consent for the specific purpose of using your personal information.
• Contractual Necessity: When our use of your personal information is necessary to fulfil a contract or take steps to enter into a contract with you, such as providing services you have purchased.
• Legal or Regulatory Compliance: When processing is necessary to comply with relevant legal or regulatory obligations, such as fraud prevention measures.
• Legitimate Interests: When the processing is necessary to support our legitimate interests as a business, like enhancing our services to you. This is always conducted in a manner that is proportionate and respects your overriding interests and fundamental rights.

1.7 Retention Period of Your Personal Information

As a guiding principle, we retain personal information only for the duration necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was initially collected. Nevertheless, certain circumstances may warrant the retention of your personal information for extended periods. The following purposes dictate our retention policies:

• Operational Relevance: We keep personal information as long as it remains necessary and relevant for our operations. This ensures we maintain accurate records of your interactions with us, facilitating resolution in case of complaints or challenges.
• Closed Accounts: We retain data to adhere to applicable laws, prevent fraud, recover outstanding fees, settle disputes, troubleshoot issues, aid investigations, enforce our site terms, and take other actions as allowed by law.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: We retain personal information to comply with statutory or other obligations applicable to Akatsa services.
• Preservation of Evidence: When necessary, we retain information within the statutes of limitation to preserve evidence.

1.8 Security Measures for Your Personal Information

We prioritise your security and privacy by incorporating robust measures into our systems. During the transmission of your personal information, we utilise encryption protocols and software to safeguard its confidentiality. Additionally, when handling payment card data, we adhere to the standards set forth by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Across the spectrum of data processing, from collection to storage, processing, and disclosure, we implement physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. As part of our security procedures, there may be occasions when we request proof of identity before disclosing personal information to you.Our devices are equipped with security features designed to thwart unauthorised access and prevent data loss. It is imperative for you to take precautions against unauthorised access to your password, computers, devices, and applications. Make it a practice to sign out when finished using a shared computer to further enhance the security of your personal information.

1.9 What about advertisements?

Akatsa Services may feature third-party ads and links to external websites and apps. When you engage with the content, advertising, or services provided by third-party advertising partners, they may collect information about your interactions.To enhance your experience, we collaborate with advertising companies, offering them information to deliver more relevant ads and assess their effectiveness. It's important to note that we never disclose your name or other personally identifiable information during this process. Instead, we use advertising identifiers such as cookies, device identifiers, or Codes generated through the application of irreversible cryptography to non-personal information, such as an email address.This ensures your privacy while allowing us to provide you with more useful and pertinent advertisements.

1.10 Cookies

We employ cookies, pixels, and similar technologies collectively referred to as "cookies" to identify your browser or device, gain insights into your interests, and furnish you with essential features and services. These technologies serve various purposes, including:Recognizing your identity when signing in to use our services, enabling us to provide personalised content, product recommendations, and customised features based on your preferences,Conducting research and diagnostics to enhance the quality of Akatsa service content, products, and services.Preventing fraudulent activities and bolstering security measures to safeguard your information, Delivering content, including advertisements, tailored to your interests, both on Akatsa services and third-party platforms, Reporting and analysing the performance of our services to continually refine and optimise our offerings.Approved third parties may also utilise cookies during your interaction with Akatsa services. These third parties employ cookies to deliver content, measure the effectiveness of their ads, and provide various services.You maintain control over browser cookies through your browser settings.Blocking all cookies may result in the inability to transfer cookies, impacting some preferences and features. Adjusting settings may be necessary each time you visit a site, and certain features and services may be affected.

1.11 Conditions of Use

Using Akatsa Services, you are acknowledging and agreeing to adhere to our Notice and Conditions of Use. These terms serve as the governing framework for your usage of our services and outline the procedures for addressing potential privacy-related disputes. They encompass important aspects such as limitations of damages, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the application of applicable laws in India. Provide us with a comprehensive description of your concerns, and we are dedicated to earnestly addressing the issue. Our Privacy Notice is subject to periodic updates. To stay informed about the latest changes, we recommend checking our websites regularly. It's important to note that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, our current Privacy policies apply comprehensively to all the information we have in our possession concerning you and your account. We stand firmly behind the commitments we make, assuring you that we will not make material changes to our policies and practices that would reduce the level of protection afforded to customer information collected in the past without obtaining the consent of the affected customers. Your privacy and the protection of your information are of utmost importance to us. Should you have any concerns about privacy while utilising Akatsa, we encourage you to reach out to us at admin@akatsa.in