This Privacy Policy explains what personal data KnoMarket collects, why, how it is used and shared, and the choices you have. It applies to the KnoMarket website and app, operated by KnoMarket, our Contact page ("we", "us"). We follow the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

1. Data we collect

a) Data you give us

• Account: name, mobile number and/or email address, password (stored only in encrypted, hashed form), account type (customer or business owner), language and display preferences.
• Business listings: business name, category, address, area, map location, contact numbers, website and social links, working hours, photos, products, services and prices.
• Verification documents (optional, business owners): documents such as a GST certificate, PAN or licence that you upload to get the Document Verified badge. They are visible only to our verification team, never to the public.
• Enquiries, bookings and reviews: the messages, booking details, ratings and reviews you submit.
• Support: messages, tickets and screenshots you send us, and feedback.
• Help Assistant chats: stored only if you switch on "Save my chats", and deleted automatically after 7 days.
• Billing details (business owners): the name, address and GSTIN you want on your tax invoice.

b) Data collected automatically

• IP address, device and browser type, pages visited, searches, and login times — used for security, fraud prevention and to improve KnoMarket.
• Your location — only when you tap Near me and allow it in your browser. It is used for that search and is not stored with your account.
• Cookies — see section 7.

c) Data from others

• Google or Facebook login (if you choose it): your name, email address and profile ID.
• Payments: our payment partner (Razorpay) tells us whether a payment succeeded, the amount, the transaction reference and the payment method type. We never receive or store your card number, CVV, UPI PIN or net-banking password.

2. Why we use your data

• To create and run your account and log you in (including OTP verification by SMS or email).
• To show business listings and reviews, and to run search, enquiries and bookings.
• To send messages you need: OTPs, booking and payment updates, invoices, replies to your enquiries and support requests.
• To process payments, issue tax invoices and handle refunds.
• To verify businesses and keep KnoMarket safe from spam, fake reviews and fraud.
• To improve KnoMarket using usage statistics.
• To meet legal obligations (for example tax records) and to respond to lawful requests.

We process your data with your consent (which you give when you register or submit a form) or for other legitimate uses allowed by law. We do not sell your personal data.

3. What is public

Business listings (business name, address, contact numbers, photos, hours, products) are public — that is their purpose. Reviews are shown with the reviewer's display name. Your email address, mobile number and verification documents as a customer are never shown publicly.

4. Who we share data with

• Businesses you contact: when you send an enquiry or booking, that business receives your name, contact details and message.
• Service providers who work for us under confidentiality: web hosting, payment gateway (Razorpay), SMS / WhatsApp / email delivery, maps (Google Maps), social login (Google, Facebook) and analytics. They may use the data only to provide their service to us.
• Authorities: when required by law, a court order or to protect the rights and safety of users and the public.
• Business transfer: if KnoMarket is merged or sold, your data may move to the new owner under this policy.

5. How long we keep data

• Account and listing data — while your account is active. When you ask us to delete your account, we delete or anonymise your personal data, except what we must keep by law.
• Invoices and payment records — as long as tax and accounting laws require (generally up to 8 years).
• Help Assistant chats — 7 days (only if you chose to save them).
• Security and activity logs — for a limited period, as needed for security and legal purposes.
• Backups are overwritten on a regular cycle.

6. Security

We protect your data with HTTPS encryption, hashed passwords, encrypted storage of secret keys, access controls for our team, login protection against repeated attempts, and activity logs. No system is 100% secure, so please keep your password private and tell us at once if you notice anything unusual.

7. Cookies

We use small files (cookies) that are needed for the site to work: keeping you logged in, security (CSRF protection), and remembering your language and display choices. If analytics is switched on, statistics cookies (such as Google Analytics) help us understand how KnoMarket is used. We do not use advertising cookies from other companies. You can delete or block cookies in your browser, but logging in will not work without the necessary cookies.

8. Your rights

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 you can:

• get a summary of the personal data we hold about you and how it is used;
• correct, complete or update your data (most of it directly in your account);
• ask us to erase your data and close your account;
• withdraw your consent at any time (this does not affect what was done before);
• nominate a person to exercise your rights in case of death or incapacity;
• raise a grievance with us, and then with the Data Protection Board of India.

To use any of these rights, write to admin@knomarket.com from your registered email or mobile number. We will respond as soon as possible and within the time required by law.

9. Children

KnoMarket is meant for adults. A person under 18 may use it only with the consent of a parent or guardian. We do not knowingly collect data of children without such consent, and we do not track children or show them targeted advertising.

10. Grievance Officer

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. The date at the top shows the latest version; important changes will be announced on KnoMarket.