Platform operator: Hindu Hearts
1. Who We Are and Scope
Hindu Hearts is the responsible party for personal information processed through the Hindu Hearts website, web application, mobile application, customer support and related services.
This Policy explains what information we collect, why we use it, how it may be shared, how long we keep it, and the rights available to you.
2. Privacy Principles
We aim to process personal information lawfully, reasonably and transparently; collect it for specific purposes; keep it relevant and accurate; protect it with appropriate safeguards; retain it only as needed; and respect applicable data-subject rights.
3. Information We Collect
Depending on the features you use, we may collect the categories below.
- Account and contact information: Name, email address, mobile number, login credentials, verification status and account identifiers.
- Profile and matching information: Age/date of birth, gender, location, language, education, occupation, family or cultural preferences, relationship goals, biography, photographs and matching preferences.
- Special personal information: Religious beliefs or affiliation and, where voluntarily provided, information that may reveal sexual orientation, health-related matters or other sensitive relationship information.
- Communications and safety data: Messages sent through the Platform, reports, blocks, complaints, customer-support communications and moderation records.
- Identity and verification data: Identity documents, selfie or liveness checks, proof of age, phone/email verification and fraud-prevention signals, where a verification feature is used.
- Payment and subscription data: Plan, transaction reference, billing status and limited payment details. Full card details are processed by the payment provider rather than stored by Hindu Hearts.
- Device and usage data: IP address, browser, operating system, device identifiers, app activity, log data, crash reports, approximate location and security events.
- Cookies and similar technologies: Session cookies, preference cookies, analytics and security technologies.
4. How We Collect Information
We collect information directly from you when you register, complete a profile, upload content, communicate, subscribe, verify your account, contact support or submit a report. We also collect certain technical information automatically when you use the Platform.
We may receive information from service providers such as payment processors, identity-verification providers, analytics providers, fraud-prevention partners or social-login providers, depending on the features implemented.
5. Purposes and Lawful Bases
We process information to: create and administer accounts; display profiles and facilitate matching; enable communications; provide subscriptions; verify identity and age; prevent fraud and abuse; moderate content; respond to support requests; secure and improve the Platform; comply with legal obligations; and establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Depending on the processing activity, our lawful basis may include performance of an agreement, compliance with law, protection of legitimate interests, your consent, or another basis permitted by POPIA.
Where information qualifies as special personal information — particularly religion and information that may reveal sexual orientation — we will rely on a permitted ground under POPIA, including explicit informed consent where required. You may withdraw consent, although withdrawal does not invalidate processing already lawfully completed.
6. Profile Visibility and Member Sharing
Information placed in visible profile fields may be shown to other registered members according to your privacy settings. Avoid publishing your home address, identity number, bank details, workplace schedule or other information that could expose you to fraud or harm.
Messages and shared media are visible to their recipients. Recipients may copy or disclose information despite our rules, so use care when communicating.
7. Automated Matching and Recommendations
We may use profile details, preferences, location and activity to rank or recommend potential matches. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, these recommendations are not decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects and do not guarantee compatibility.
8. Sharing with Service Providers and Others
We may disclose information to vetted operators and service providers that support hosting, databases, security, messaging, analytics, payments, identity verification, customer support, legal compliance and moderation. They may process information only under appropriate instructions and safeguards.
We may also disclose information where required by law, court order or lawful authority; to investigate fraud, threats or safety incidents; to protect rights and security; in connection with a merger, sale or restructuring; or with your direction or consent.
We do not sell personal information for money.
9. Cross-Border Transfers
Some service providers or hosting systems may be located outside South Africa. Where personal information is transferred internationally, we will use a mechanism permitted by POPIA, such as transfer to a recipient subject to an adequate law, binding agreement or corporate rules providing appropriate protection, or another lawful basis.
10. Data Security
We use reasonable and appropriate technical and organisational safeguards based on the nature of the information and foreseeable risks. Measures may include access controls, encryption in transit, secure password hashing, backups, logging, staff confidentiality, vendor controls and incident-response procedures.
No online system is completely secure. You are responsible for using a strong unique password, protecting verification codes and reporting suspected compromise promptly.
11. Security Compromises
Where there are reasonable grounds to believe personal information has been accessed or acquired by an unauthorised person, we will investigate and make notifications to the Information Regulator and affected data subjects as required by POPIA, subject to lawful delays or exceptions.
12. Retention and Deletion
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably needed for the stated purposes, account operation, safety, fraud prevention, dispute handling, legal obligations and enforcement. Retention periods differ by category.
When retention is no longer justified, information will be securely deleted, destroyed or de-identified. Backup copies may remain temporarily until overwritten under normal backup cycles.
13. Your Rights
Subject to POPIA and applicable exceptions, you may request confirmation of whether we hold your personal information; access to it; correction or deletion of inaccurate, irrelevant, excessive, outdated, incomplete, misleading or unlawfully obtained information; restriction or objection to certain processing; withdrawal of consent; and information about recipients or categories of recipients.
You may also object to direct marketing and lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request, and may refuse or limit a request where lawfully permitted.
14. Direct Marketing
We may send service messages necessary for account operation. Promotional email, SMS, push or electronic marketing will be sent only where permitted by law. You can unsubscribe through the message instructions or account settings, although essential transactional and safety notices may continue.
15. Cookies and Analytics
We may use strictly necessary cookies for login, security and functionality, plus optional analytics or preference technologies. Where required, optional cookies will be controlled through consent choices.
16. Children
Hindu Hearts is intended only for adults aged 18 or older. We do not knowingly permit minors to create accounts. If we learn that a minor has provided personal information, we may suspend the account and delete the information, subject to safety and legal retention requirements.
17. Third-Party Links and Services
The Platform may contain links or integrations controlled by third parties. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies. Review those policies before providing information.
18. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy to reflect changes in law, technology or Platform practices. The revised version will display a new effective date. Material changes may be communicated through the Platform or by email.
19. Contact and Requests
- Email: hello@hinduhearts.co.za
- Telephone: +27 72 872 4183
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Website: www.hinduhearts.co.za
Please describe your request clearly and provide enough information for us to verify your identity and locate the relevant records.
20. Complaints to the Information Regulator
You have the right to lodge a complaint with South Africa's Information Regulator if you believe your personal information has been processed unlawfully.
21. Consent for Special Personal Information
By registering, you expressly consent to Hindu Hearts processing the religious, relationship and other sensitive information you voluntarily provide for profile display, matching, communication, safety and moderation, as explained in this Privacy Policy. You may withdraw consent, subject to lawful retention and processing already completed.
See also our Terms and Conditions.