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Your data, handled responsibly

Privacy Policy

Effective from: 24 October 2026 · Last updated: 24 October 2026 · Applies to all businesses and creators who use Nearby in Hyderabad, India.

1. Who we are

Nearby (“Nearby”, “we”, “us”) runs a platform that connects local businesses in Hyderabad, India — such as restaurants, cafés, PGs and hostels, rental properties, real estate, salons and retail stores — with local content creators. For this Policy, Nearby is the “Data Fiduciary” under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”).

This Policy explains what personal data we collect through this website, why, how long we keep it, who we share it with, and the rights you have. It applies to everyone who uses our website or sends us an enquiry or application.

2. Personal data we collect

We only collect what you choose to give us through our forms:

  • Business applicants: your first and last name, work email, phone number, business name and type, a description of your business, city, address or area, number of locations, Instagram or website, promotion goals, preferred platforms, creators per month, monthly budget range, visit days and times, the experience you offer, start timeline, and any notes.
  • Creator applicants: your name, email, phone number, gender (optional, with a “prefer not to say” choice), posting platforms, collaboration preference and price range, areas, neighbourhood, PIN code, travel distance, dietary preferences, Instagram and YouTube handles, primary platform, follower range, portfolio link, content niche, availability, and any notes.
  • Referrals, contact and city requests: your name, email, phone number, city, the business you refer, and your message.
  • Technical data: limited information needed to run and protect the website, such as IP address, browser type and request times, used for security and to prevent spam or abuse.

We do not ask for passwords, government ID numbers, bank or card details, or health data. Please do not put such information in free-text fields.

3. Why we use your data (purpose and legal basis)

We process your personal data on the basis of the consent you give when you tick the consent box and submit a form, and for legitimate uses allowed by law. We use it only to:

  • review your application or enquiry and contact you about it;
  • match businesses with suitable local creators, and creators with suitable businesses;
  • plan, coordinate and manage creator visits and campaigns;
  • send service messages about your application by email, phone or WhatsApp;
  • keep our website secure, prevent fraud and spam, and limit repeat submissions;
  • meet our legal, tax, accounting and regulatory obligations.

We do not sell your personal data. We do not use it for unrelated marketing without your separate consent, and you can opt out of any promotional messages at any time.

4. Who we share it with

  • Matched partners: when a match is agreed, we share only the details needed for the collaboration — for example, a creator’s name, handles and visit time with the business, or the business name, address and offer with the creator. Phone numbers and emails are shared only with your agreement.
  • Service providers (Data Processors): trusted vendors who host our website and database, or provide email and messaging services. They act only on our instructions, under contracts that require confidentiality and security.
  • Legal and regulatory: authorities, courts or advisers where required by law, or to protect the rights, safety and property of Nearby, our users or the public.
  • Business transfers: a successor entity in case of a merger, acquisition or restructuring, subject to this Policy.

Some service providers may store or process data on servers outside India. Any such transfer follows the DPDP Act and any restrictions notified by the Government of India.

4A. Where we store your enquiries

Everything you submit through this website is stored in one secure, access-controlled cloud database run for us by our hosting provider. It is never shown to other visitors. This includes:

  • General enquiries sent through the “Say hello” contact page;
  • Pricing enquiries sent from the Pricing page, including the plan and billing period you were interested in;
  • Sales contact requests from businesses who want to talk to our team;
  • Business and creator applications, referrals and city requests.

Only authorised Nearby team members can view these records, and only to respond to you and provide our services. Our hosting provider may store this data on servers inside or outside India, under the safeguards described in section 4.

5. How long we keep your data

We keep application and enquiry data only as long as needed for the purposes above: normally up to 24 months after our last contact with you, or longer if a law requires it (for example, invoices and financial records under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and GST laws, usually 8 years). After that, we delete or anonymise it. If you withdraw consent, we delete your data within a reasonable time, unless the law requires us to keep it.

6. How we protect it

We use reasonable security practices under Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the SPDI Rules, 2011, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls that keep submitted data private from other visitors, limited staff access, and monitoring for abuse. No system is completely secure; if a personal data breach affects you, we will inform you and the Data Protection Board of India as the DPDP Act requires.

7. Your rights

Under the DPDP Act you have the right to:

  • get a summary of the personal data we hold about you and how we use it;
  • have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected or updated;
  • have your data erased when it is no longer needed, or when you withdraw consent;
  • withdraw your consent at any time — as easily as you gave it — without affecting processing already done;
  • have your complaints addressed by us, and then by the Data Protection Board of India;
  • nominate another person to use your rights if you die or become unable to act.

To use any of these rights, contact us using the details in section 10. We may ask you to confirm your identity, usually with the email you used in your application. We aim to respond within 30 days.

8. Children

Our services are for people aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you think a child has sent us their details, please contact us and we will delete them.

9. Cookies

This website uses only essential cookies and similar storage needed for it to work and stay secure. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. If we add analytics or marketing cookies in the future, we will update this Policy and ask for your consent where required.

10. Grievance Officer and contact

If you have a question, request or complaint about your personal data, please contact our Grievance Officer through our contact page, mentioning “Privacy request” and the email used in your original submission. We will acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and aim to resolve them within 15 days, as required under the IT Rules, 2021. If you are not satisfied, you may complain to the Data Protection Board of India.

11. Changes to this Policy

This Policy applies from 24 October 2026. Nearby may change, update or replace this Policy at any time, without prior notice, to reflect changes in our services, the law or our practices. The updated version takes effect as soon as it is posted on this page, and the “Last updated” date will change. For significant changes, we will also place a notice on this website or contact you. By continuing to use our website or services after a change, you accept the updated Policy, so please check this page from time to time.

This Policy is written to follow the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the Information Technology Act, 2000 and related rules. For questions, visit our contact page.