Privacy Policy

We respect the privacy of our visitors, readers, customers, contributors and other users.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• What information we may collect;
• How we may collect it;
• Why we may use it;
• How we may share it;
• How cookies and similar technologies may be used;
• How advertising and affiliate services may process information;
• How information relating to Store orders may be handled;
• How you may contact us regarding privacy matters.

We aim to handle personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Depending on how you interact with Hello South Gujarat, we may collect different types of information.

When you visit our website, certain technical and usage information may be collected automatically by us or by third-party technologies used on the website.

This may include:

• IP address;
• Browser type;
• Device type;
• Operating system;
• Screen/device information;
• Approximate location derived from technical information where available;
• Pages visited;
• Articles or content viewed;
• Referring website;
• Date and time of access;
• Time spent on pages;
• Interaction with website features;
• Basic technical and diagnostic information.

This information may be used for website operation, security, analytics, performance measurement and improvement.

Hello South Gujarat may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage and similar technologies.

Cookies are small files or pieces of information that may be stored on your device when you visit a website.

We may use cookies and similar technologies for purposes such as:

• Making the website function properly;
• Remembering preferences;
• Understanding website usage;
• Measuring website performance;
• Improving user experience;
• Preventing abuse or fraudulent activity;
• Understanding how visitors interact with our content;
• Delivering, measuring or personalising advertising where applicable.

Some cookies may be placed by third-party service providers.

You may be able to control or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionality.

Hello South Gujarat may display advertisements through third-party advertising providers, including Google AdSense, where applicable.

Advertising providers may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• Display advertisements;
• Measure advertising performance;
• Understand interactions with advertisements;
• Personalise advertisements where permitted;
• Provide relevant advertising based on applicable settings and laws.

Third-party advertising providers may process information according to their own privacy policies and applicable requirements.

For information about Google's privacy practices and advertising controls, users should review Google's official privacy and advertising resources.

We do not control the privacy practices of independent third-party advertising providers.

We may use Google AdSense to display advertisements on Hello South Gujarat.

Google and its partners may use cookies or similar technologies in connection with advertising.

Advertising may be personalised or non-personalised depending on applicable settings, user choices, regulatory requirements and the services being used.

Users can review Google's advertising and privacy information through Google's official resources.

We recommend that visitors review Google's policies directly for the most current information about Google's processing practices.

We may use analytics or website-performance services to understand how visitors use our website.

These services may collect information such as:

• Pages viewed;
• Traffic sources;
• Device information;
• Browser information;
• Approximate geographic information;
• Website interactions;
• Technical performance information.

Analytics information helps us understand which content is useful, identify technical problems and improve Hello South Gujarat.

We will only identify specific analytics services in this Privacy Policy where those services are actually being used on the website.

Hello South Gujarat may operate an online Store through which products may be displayed and/or sold.

If you purchase a product or contact us regarding an order, we may need information such as:

• Customer name;
• Mobile number;
• WhatsApp number;
• Delivery address;
• Product ordered;
• Quantity;
• Order details;
• Payment-related confirmation or transaction information;
• Delivery information;
• Customer-support communications.

This information may be used to:

• Process orders;
• Confirm orders;
• Arrange delivery;
• Communicate with customers;
• Provide customer support;
• Handle cancellations, returns or refunds;
• Maintain appropriate transaction records;
• Prevent fraud or misuse;
• Comply with applicable legal requirements.

Payment information may be processed by the relevant payment provider where applicable. We do not intend to collect or store complete payment-card information unless expressly stated otherwise.

Hello South Gujarat may provide WhatsApp or other communication options for customer inquiries, Store orders, business communication or other purposes.

If you choose to contact us through a third-party communication platform, the information you provide may also be processed by that platform.

Such third-party services operate under their own terms and privacy policies.

Users should review the applicable privacy policy of the relevant third-party service before sharing information through it.

Hello South Gujarat may allow users to suggest places, businesses, stories or other information.

If you voluntarily submit information to us, the information may be reviewed and may be published on the website where appropriate.

Depending on the submission, published information may include:

• Name or contributor name;
• Place/business information;
• Description;
• Photographs;
• Videos;
• Other information voluntarily supplied by the contributor.

Please do not submit personal information belonging to another person without appropriate permission.

We may reject, edit, modify, remove or decline to publish submissions at our discretion, subject to applicable law.

We may use information for purposes including:

• Operating and maintaining the website;
• Providing requested services;
• Responding to inquiries;
• Processing Store orders;
• Providing customer support;
• Communicating with users;
• Publishing user submissions where appropriate;
• Improving our website and content;
• Understanding audience interests and website usage;
• Measuring website performance;
• Displaying and measuring advertising;
• Managing affiliate or commercial relationships;
• Preventing fraud, abuse and security incidents;
• Protecting our rights and property;
• Complying with applicable legal obligations;
• Investigating complaints or disputes;
• Maintaining appropriate business records.

Hello South Gujarat may participate in affiliate programs and commercial partnerships.

Some links on the website may be affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or purchase a product/service through an affiliate partner, we may receive a commission or other commercial benefit, where applicable.

Affiliate tracking may involve cookies or similar technologies operated by the relevant third party.

Our participation in an affiliate program does not necessarily mean that we operate, own or control the third-party product or service.

Third-party businesses remain responsible for their own products, services, pricing, delivery, warranties, refunds and customer support.

Hello South Gujarat may collaborate with:

• Brands;
• Local businesses;
• Restaurants;
• Hotels;
• Influencers;
• Content creators;
• Tourism-related businesses;
• Product/service providers;
• Other organisations or individuals.

Such collaborations may involve sponsored content, promotional content, product features, campaigns, reviews, events or other commercial arrangements.

Where applicable, commercial relationships may be disclosed in accordance with applicable requirements.

Our website may contain links, embeds or references to third-party websites and services, including:

• Government websites;
• YouTube;
• Instagram;
• Facebook;
• WhatsApp;
• Google services;
• Affiliate platforms;
• Restaurants;
• Hotels;
• Travel services;
• Business websites;
• Online stores;
• Booking services;
• Other external websites.

When you leave Hello South Gujarat and access a third-party website or service, that third party may collect and process information according to its own privacy policy.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, content or policies of third-party websites that we do not control.

We encourage users to read the privacy policy of each third-party service they use.

Some pages may contain embedded content from third-party platforms such as videos, maps, social media posts or other external services.

Embedded content may function similarly to visiting the relevant third-party website directly.

The third-party provider may collect technical information or set cookies according to its own policies.

We may share information where reasonably necessary for legitimate purposes, including with:

• Service providers;
• Website hosting and technology providers;
• Analytics providers;
• Advertising providers;
• Payment providers;
• Delivery/logistics providers;
• Communication providers;
• Professional advisers;
• Business partners where necessary for a requested service;
• Government authorities or law-enforcement agencies where legally required;
• Other parties where permitted or required by applicable law.

We do not intend to sell personal information to third parties merely for the purpose of selling personal information.

We may disclose information where we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable law;
• Respond to lawful government requests;
• Protect the rights, property or safety of Hello South Gujarat;
• Protect users or other persons;
• Investigate fraud, abuse or security incidents;
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions;
• Address legal claims or disputes.

We take reasonable measures intended to protect information against unauthorised access, misuse, alteration, disclosure or destruction.

However, no internet transmission, website, server or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted through the internet.

Users should avoid sending confidential information through ordinary contact forms, email or messaging channels unless specifically requested and appropriate.

We may retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• Providing services;
• Processing orders;
• Maintaining business records;
• Resolving disputes;
• Preventing fraud or abuse;
• Meeting legal or regulatory requirements;
• Maintaining appropriate accounting and transaction records.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type and purpose of the information.

When information is no longer reasonably required, it may be deleted, anonymised or otherwise disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements and our operational practices.

Depending on applicable law and the circumstances of processing, individuals may have rights relating to their personal information, including rights concerning access, correction, updating, withdrawal of consent or other applicable requests.

Requests may be submitted using the contact details provided below.

Where a request is subject to legal limitations, verification requirements or exceptions, we may need additional information before processing the request.

Applicable privacy rights and procedures may change as India's data-protection framework comes into force and develops.

Hello South Gujarat is intended for a general audience.

We do not knowingly request unnecessary personal information from children.

Where applicable law requires parental or guardian involvement or additional safeguards for processing a child's personal data, we will seek to follow those requirements.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us improperly, please contact us so that we can review the matter.

Users are responsible for ensuring that information they voluntarily provide to Hello South Gujarat is accurate and that they have the necessary authority or permission to provide such information.

Users should not submit:

• Passwords;
• Banking credentials;
• OTPs;
• Complete payment-card details;
• Aadhaar numbers;
• Sensitive personal information;
• Another person's private information;

unless specifically required through an appropriate and lawful process.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Changes may be made to reflect:

• Changes to our website;
• New services;
• New technology;
• Changes to advertising or analytics providers;
• Changes to our Store;
• Changes in applicable laws;
• Changes in our business practices.

When we update this policy, we may update the “Last Updated” date displayed at the beginning of the policy.

Users are encouraged to review this page periodically.

If you have questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information, please contact us.

This Privacy Policy is intended to explain our general privacy practices in a clear and understandable manner.

It does not create rights beyond those provided under applicable law, nor does it remove any rights or obligations that cannot legally be excluded.

Where applicable law provides additional rights or protections, those rights will continue to apply.