Welcome to Hostelwala Technologies ("Hostelwala", "we", "our", or "us"). We provide an all-in-one Smart Hostel & PG Management SaaS Platform accessible via https://hostelwala.online/ and mobile applications. We are committed to protecting the privacy, security, and integrity of the personal data shared with us by hostel owners, property managers, tenants, and students.

1. Information We Collect

Depending on your interaction with Hostelwala (as a Hostel Admin or Tenant), we collect the following types of information:

• Account & Registration Information: Full Name, Business/Hostel Name, Email Address, Phone Number, Profile Photo, and Account Password (encrypted).
• Tenant & Allotment Data: Student/Tenant Name, Guardian Details, Emergency Contact Numbers, Room Allotment Records, Identity Proof (Aadhaar, Passport, or College ID), and Check-in/Check-out dates.
• Financial & Payment Transaction Records: Rent receipts, payment modes (UPI/Cash/Bank Transfer), subscription plans, and transaction IDs. (Note: We do NOT store card CVVs or bank passwords on our servers).
• Technical & Usage Data: IP Address, Device Type, Operating System, Browser type, App usage logs, and Cookie identifiers.

2. How We Use Your Information

Your data is processed strictly for legitimate operational purposes, including:

• Creating and managing your hostel administration workspace.
• Generating automated rent invoices, payment receipts, and Digital Student Identity Cards.
• Sending real-time OTPs, transactional SMS, WhatsApp updates, and system alert notifications.
• Monitoring system performance, preventing fraudulent activity, and ensuring cybersecurity compliance.
• Providing continuous customer service, technical troubleshooting, and portal upgrades.

3. Data Sharing and Third-Party Services

Hostelwala values your trust. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to marketing agencies. We share data only with trusted service partners required to run our application:

• Payment Gateways: Secured payment partners for processing subscription fees or online tenant rent.
• Communication APIs: Trusted SMS and WhatsApp API providers to dispatch authentication OTPs and payment receipts.
• Cloud & Hosting Infrastructure: Encrypted data centers hosting our database with high-level physical and digital security.
• Legal Obligations: We may disclose information if required by law enforcement, court order, or government regulation.

4. Data Protection & Security Measures

We implement robust technical and organizational measures to keep your data safe:

• SSL Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser/app and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS standard TLS protocol.
• Password Encryption: Passwords are hashed using modern cryptographic algorithms before storage.
• Restricted Access: Access to sensitive student database records is restricted only to authorized hostel managers and verified users.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use session cookies to remember your logged-in session (`gc_maxlifetime`), preserve user dashboard preferences, and analyze site performance via Google Analytics (`G-9QXQYJJREQ`). You may disable cookies via browser settings, though certain core features may not function properly.

6. Data Retention & User Rights

We retain user data as long as your account remains active or as required to comply with financial and tax auditing standards. Users and admins have the following rights:

• Access & Correction: Request a copy of your stored records or request edits to incorrect information.
• Account Deletion: Hostel admins or tenants can request account termination and permanent data wiping by writing to our support team.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Hostelwala reserves the right to update or modify this policy at any time to reflect software upgrades or legal updates. Any revisions will be published on this page with an updated "Last Updated" timestamp.

8. Contact Our Privacy Officer

If you have questions, feedback, or privacy-related requests, please contact us at:

Hostelwala Technologies
Email: support@hostelwala.online
Phone / WhatsApp: +91 2269718406
Website: https://hostelwala.online