Privacy Policy

1. Company Details

• Name: HiveBuying
• Website: https://www.hivebuying.com
• Email: support@hivebuying.com
• Phone: +91 9026684646
• Address: 27th Main Road, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

2. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Users accessing our website, app, or participating in HiveBuying groups.
• Brand partners, sellers, and service providers connected with HiveBuying.
• All data collected through registration, group participation, payments, and communication.

It does not apply to third-party websites, apps, or payment gateways that HiveBuying links to. We encourage you to review their privacy practices separately.

3. Information We Collect

We collect information directly from you, automatically, and through third parties to operate our service effectively.

A. Information You Provide

• Account Details: Name, email address, phone number, password (encrypted), and basic location.
• Purchase Interest: Product category, how soon you plan to buy, and region preferences ("how soon" and "where").
• Group Activity: Groups you join or create, product type, participation status, and timestamps.
• Communication Data: Queries, feedback, or messages sent through chat or email.
• Delivery Information: Address and contact details (only when placing an order).
• Identity/KYC (if required): For specific cases like high-value transactions, we may request ID or address proof for verification.

B. Payment Information

We collect only non-sensitive payment metadata, such as transaction ID, payment method, and payment status.

• Card Details: We do not store your card number, CVV, or expiry date. These are processed directly through PCI-DSS compliant gateways.
• UPI Payments: We store only the transaction ID, UPI handle alias (e.g., yourname@upi), and payment confirmation.
• Refunds: For refunds, we share necessary transaction references securely with payment processors.

HiveBuying never stores or accesses your UPI PIN or full card details.

C. Automatically Collected Data

• IP address, browser type, operating system, device ID, and app version.
• Pages visited, clicks, time spent, and group participation patterns.
• Cookies, analytics identifiers, and referral source data.

D. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

• Session management and login.
• Analytics and performance improvements.
• Personalization and remarketing (only if you consent).

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

4. How We Use the Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account.
• Match you with suitable groups based on product interest, region, and timing.
• Form and manage buying groups and facilitate purchases.
• Communicate important updates: group progress, checkout status, payment confirmations, or price drops.
• Process transactions and issue refunds.
• Enable brands to fulfill orders directly to your address.
• Provide customer support and resolve disputes.
• Improve pricing, grouping, and platform algorithms.
• Analyze usage trends to enhance our services.
• Comply with laws and prevent fraud or misuse.
• Send marketing updates (only if you opt-in).

We use your data only for the purpose it was collected and never sell it to third parties.

5. Group Information and Privacy

HiveBuying revolves around group-based buying, and we take special care to protect your group-related data:

• Displayed Data: We may show anonymized group details like the number of members joined ("12 people joined") — but not personal details such as your full name, email, or phone number.
• Hidden Details: Personal info of group members (name, phone, address) is never shared publicly or with other members.
• Group Privacy Levels: Public Groups show only total member count. Private Groups show limited details and are by invitation only.
• Brand Access: When a group completes a deal, only required delivery information is shared with the brand (no contact sharing beyond fulfillment needs).
• Internal Controls: Access to group data is restricted to authorized HiveBuying team members under confidentiality agreements.

6. How We Share Information

We share limited information only where necessary:

• A. With Brands/Sellers: Only order-level data (product, quantity, address for delivery). No personal contact details unless user consent is given.
• B. With Payment Partners: Transaction data and metadata for processing and refunds. Card/UPI details handled securely by gateways.
• C. With Service Providers: Hosting, analytics, cloud storage, and technical infrastructure providers (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud).
• D. With Logistics Partners: Shipping details (name, address, phone) for delivery purposes only.
• E. With Legal Authorities: If required under law or to prevent fraud, disputes, or imminent harm.

HiveBuying does not sell or rent personal data to any third party.

7. Data Security

We employ multiple layers of security to keep your data safe:

• Encryption: All personal and payment-related data transmitted via HTTPS and encrypted at rest (AES-256).
• Access Control: Only authorized personnel can access sensitive data.
• Tokenization: Card details are tokenized by our payment partners; HiveBuying never sees or stores them.
• System Monitoring: 24x7 server monitoring for unusual activity or unauthorized access.
• Regular Audits: Periodic vulnerability testing and compliance checks.
• Secure Storage: Data stored on servers with restricted physical and digital access.

Despite best efforts, no system is 100% secure. In the rare event of a breach, we'll notify affected users and authorities as per applicable law.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the data we hold about you.
• Request correction or updates to your data.
• Request deletion of your account and data (except where retention is required by law).
• Withdraw consent for marketing or promotional communication.
• Opt out of cookies and targeted ads.

Contact support@hivebuying.com to exercise these rights. We respond within 30 days of verified requests.

9. Data Retention

We retain data only as long as necessary:

• Account data: until account deletion or inactivity for 24 months.
• Payment & order data: up to 7 years for tax and audit compliance.
• Logs & analytics: anonymized and retained for improving service.
• Backups: securely maintained with limited access, purged periodically.

When you delete your account, personal identifiers are removed from active systems, and remaining data is anonymized.

10. Data Transfers

If HiveBuying's servers or vendors are outside India, your data may be processed abroad. All partners must comply with data protection standards equal to Indian law and international best practices (GDPR-equivalent clauses).

We ensure your data remains protected under contractual and legal safeguards.

11. Children's Privacy

HiveBuying is meant for users aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect data from minors. If we find a user under 18, their data will be deleted immediately upon verification.

12. Data Breach Policy

If a data breach occurs:

• We will contain and assess the impact immediately.
• Affected users and authorities will be notified within 72 hours (as per DPDP Act norms).
• A clear explanation and next steps will be shared.
• We will enhance safeguards to prevent future occurrences.

13. Legal Compliance

HiveBuying complies with:

• The Information Technology Act, 2000
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India)
• Applicable rules under IT (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.

We collect only what's necessary and use it lawfully and fairly.

14. Marketing and Communication

We may send you updates on offers, group status, and new product deals via email or WhatsApp.

You can unsubscribe anytime using the opt-out link or by contacting support@hivebuying.com.

Marketing is always opt-in, not automatic.

15. Cookies & Analytics

HiveBuying uses cookies to:

• Keep you logged in securely.
• Analyze usage patterns to improve recommendations.
• Display relevant offers (if permitted).

You can turn off cookies anytime in your browser or app settings.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions, complaints, or requests about this Privacy Policy, contact us:

• 📧 Email: support@hivebuying.com
• 📞 Phone: +91 9026684646
• 🏢 Address: 27th Main Road, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

17. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available at https://www.hivebuying.com/privacy.

Significant changes will be notified via email or in-app alerts. Your continued use of the platform after updates means you accept the revised terms.