privacy policy

Welcome to MatchPod ("we," "our," or "us"). MatchPod is a roommate-matching mobile application available on iOS, with Android coming soon. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and safeguard your information when you use the MatchPod mobile application (the "App") or the matchpod.in website. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use these services.

By using MatchPod, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. This policy applies to users of the App in India and is governed by the laws of India.

account information

• Phone number: used to verify your identity through OTP-based authentication and to provide access to your account.

profile information

• Name: your display name as shown to other users.
• Age: used to enforce our minimum-age requirement and support matching.
• Gender: used for roommate-matching preferences.
• Preferences: lifestyle habits, budget range and other matching criteria you choose to provide.

user content

• Photos: profile photos you upload to help potential roommates recognise you.
• Messages: communications between you and matched users within the App.

location and device information

• City-level location: used to match you with potential roommates nearby. We do not collect or track precise GPS or real-time location data.
• Basic diagnostics: device type, operating-system version and app version, used for debugging, performance improvement and support.

website enquiries

• Contact submissions: when you use our website contact form, we collect the name, email address, topic, area and message you provide so we can respond.
• Abuse prevention: we temporarily process a cryptographic hash of the connection address to limit repeated automated submissions. The short-lived rate-limit record expires after ten minutes.

• Account authentication: to verify your identity and enable secure OTP login.
• Roommate matching: to identify compatible potential roommates using your profile and preferences.
• Communication: to enable messaging between matched users and send important service notifications.
• App improvement: to understand usage patterns and improve features, functionality and user experience.
• Customer support: to answer enquiries and provide technical assistance.
• Safety and security: to protect the App and its users.

• OTP-based login: a one-time password is sent to your registered phone number.
• Session tokens: cryptographically signed tokens maintain your session and expire after a set period.
• No password storage: MatchPod does not collect or store account passwords.

• Secure cloud storage: user data is stored on reputable cloud infrastructure with security measures including encryption at rest and in transit.
• Photo storage: uploaded photos are accessible as part of your profile and according to the App's matching experience.
• Chat privacy: messages are available to the conversation participants. We do not read or monitor private messages except where required by law or needed to investigate a reported violation.
• Encryption: data transmitted between your device and our servers is protected in transit.

No internet transmission or electronic storage method is completely secure. We use reasonable safeguards, but cannot guarantee absolute security.

We may share information only in these limited circumstances:

• With other users: profile details you choose to publish are visible as part of roommate matching.
• Service providers: trusted providers may process data for cloud hosting, SMS delivery and other operational services, subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.
• Legal requirements: where disclosure is required by law or a valid request from a public authority.
• Safety: where necessary to protect users, investigate fraud or respond to lawful government requests.

• No payments: MatchPod does not currently process payments and is free to use.
• No advertisements: the App does not currently display third-party advertisements.
• No data selling: we do not sell, rent or trade personal information for monetary gain.

If paid features are introduced, this policy will be updated and users will be notified as appropriate.

• Edit your profile: update your profile, preferences and photos through the App.
• Access your data: request access to personal data we hold about you.
• Delete your account: follow the instructions on our Delete Account page or email support@matchpod.in.
• Delete your data: request deletion of your personal data. We process verified requests within 30 days, subject to any lawful retention requirement.
• Withdraw consent: withdraw consent where consent is the basis for processing, including by deleting your account.

• Active accounts: information is retained while your account remains active or as needed to provide the service.
• Account deletion: personal data is deleted within 30 days of a verified deletion request, except where certain records must be retained for legal or legitimate business purposes.
• Inactive accounts: we may remove accounts inactive for an extended period after providing notice where appropriate.
• Contact enquiries: website submissions are retained only as long as reasonably necessary to answer the enquiry and maintain appropriate business records.

MatchPod is strictly intended for people aged 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18.

If we learn that a person under 18 has provided personal data, we will take steps to remove the account and information. A parent or guardian who believes a child has provided information should contact support@matchpod.in immediately.

MatchPod may use service providers for:

• SMS and OTP delivery.
• Secure cloud hosting and storage.
• Transactional email delivery for website enquiries.
• Optional, privacy-focused analytics used to understand general app performance and usage.

Third-party providers maintain their own privacy policies. We work with providers expected to maintain appropriate data-protection standards.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We may notify you by posting the new policy here, updating the date above, or providing an in-app notice for significant changes. Changes take effect when posted unless stated otherwise.

This policy is governed by the laws of India. Disputes arising from it are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in India.

We comply with applicable Indian data-protection requirements, including the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.

For questions, concerns or requests about this policy or our data practices, email support@matchpod.in or visit matchpod.in. We aim to respond within 48 hours on business days.