Privacy Policy & Data Protection
Last Updated: May 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how SearchLocal Odisha collects, uses, and safeguards personal data in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
1. Information Collection & Inventory
We collect and process only the minimum data required to facilitate local service connections:
- Customer Data: Names and mobile numbers are verified via OTP to prevent fraudulent lead generation.
- Technical Identifiers: IP addresses and browser types are logged for security and rate-limiting purposes.
- Service Area Data: Geographic location is used to match you with providers in your specific District/Town.
- User Requirement Data: Requirement details are used to match you with providers along with the use of Service area data.
- Business Data: The details of the business are used for public listing of information as well as internal functioning of our system.
2. Purpose Limitation & Data Minimization
Your data is collected only for specified, clear, and legitimate purposes. We do not process more data than is necessary to verify customer intent and connect them with relevant local businesses.
Your data is used solely for:
- Connecting users with verified local businesses.
- Protecting the platform against automated bot attacks.
- Generating revenue reports and regional growth analytics for the Odisha market.
3. Data Sharing & Third-Party Disclosure
Customer contact details are strictly confidential and are only shared with a business owner once they perform a "Lead Unlock" action. We do not sell data to third-party marketers.
4. Security
As per Section 43A of the IT Act, we implement "Reasonable Security Practices," data encryption and secured session management to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure of your sensitive information.
5. Your Rights
Under the DPDP Act, you have the right to access, correct, or request the erasure of your personal data. To exercise these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer at privacy@searchlocalodisha.in.
Privacy & Security FAQ
How do you verify leads?
We use a mandatory OTP (One-Time Password) system for every requirement submitted. This prevents "junk leads" and ensures that only genuine mobile numbers reach our business owners.
Is my payment info stored?
No. Wallet recharges are processed through encrypted gateways. SearchLocal Odisha only stores the transaction ID and the resulting credit balance in your business wallet.
Who can see my profile?
Public business data (Name, Address, Category) is visible to everyone. However, your private lead history and wallet balance are restricted to your verified account.
How is DPDP 2023 handled?
We act as a "Data Fiduciary". We collect consent at the point of OTP verification and provide you the right to withdraw that consent or request data erasure at any time.
How long is my data stored?
We retain customer lead data for 180 days (or as long as the system needs the data for its stable operation) to allow for dispute resolution, after which identifiers are anonymized.
Can I delete my information?
Yes. Under the DPDP Act, you have the "Right to Erasure." Contact our Grievance Officer at privacy@searchlocalodisha.in to request data removal. We will go through your request and process them within a timeframe of 30-45 days, unless your data is crucial to the operation of our system. Otherwise, we shall anonymize the data if they are critical to us.