Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 30 May 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how AstroConnect ("AstroConnect", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information about you when you use our website (astroconnect.app) and our mobile apps (together, the "Services"). We comply with:

  • The Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 43A read with the IT (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011
  • The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA)
  • The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020
  • The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
  • TRAI Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018
  • ASCI Code for Self-Regulation of Advertising Content (where applicable to our marketing communications)

1. Who we are

AstroConnect is an online astrology consultation platform that connects users with verified independent astrologers via chat, voice and video. The Services are operated from India.

2. Information we collect

We collect the following categories of personal data:

  • Account information: your name, mobile number, email address, date of birth, time of birth, place of birth, gender, and language preference.
  • Sensitive Personal Data or Information (SPDI) under the IT Rules 2011: your date, time and place of birth are treated as sensitive personal data and used solely to generate kundli, horoscope, and consultation context. Payment information (during the transaction only) is also SPDI.
  • Consultation content: chat messages, audio/video call metadata (duration, time stamps), and questions you ask astrologers. Call audio/video is not recorded unless we expressly notify you before the session.
  • Transaction data: Service Credit recharges, payment amounts, gateway transaction IDs. Card numbers, UPI VPAs and net-banking credentials are processed directly by our payment partners (Razorpay, Stripe, etc.) and we do not store them.
  • Device & usage data: IP address, device model, OS version, app version, language, push notification tokens (Firebase / OneSignal), and pages or screens visited.
  • Cookies & similar: session cookies for login, analytics cookies, and preference cookies. See our Cookie Policy.

3. How we use your data — specified purposes (DPDPA s.6)

We process the data above only for the following specified, lawful purposes:

  • To create and operate your account, authenticate logins and recover access
  • To generate kundli, horoscope and other astrological readings you request
  • To deliver consultations (chat / voice / video) with astrologers you connect with
  • To process payments, Service Credit recharges, refunds and invoicing under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law
  • To send transactional communications (OTP, booking confirmation, payment receipts) — these are exempt from the TRAI Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations 2018 as they relate to your active transaction
  • To send promotional communications (only with your separate, opt-in consent and with an opt-out in every email/SMS, in line with TRAI DND norms)
  • To prevent fraud, abuse and policy violations
  • To respond to lawful requests from courts or regulators
  • To comply with Indian law (GST, TDS u/s 194J on astrologer payouts, KYC)

4. Legal basis

Under the DPDPA 2023, we process your personal data based on (a) your specific, informed and unconditional consent obtained at signup and at specific feature triggers, (b) the necessity of fulfilling the consultation service you have requested, and (c) certain legitimate uses as defined in Section 7 of the DPDPA.

5. TRAI / DND consent for outbound calls

If you register with us using a mobile number that is on the National Do Not Call registry, you authorize AstroConnect and our communication providers to override the DND preference for the limited purpose of (a) sending you transactional OTPs, (b) confirming bookings, and (c) connecting you with an astrologer when you initiate a call. You may revoke this authorization any time by emailing support@astroconnect.app.

6. Who we share your data with

  • Astrologers you connect with receive your first name, gender, date/time/place of birth, language, and the question you ask. They do not see your phone number, email, or wallet balance unless you choose to share.
  • Payment processors (Razorpay, Stripe, Cashfree, PayU, Paytm, etc.) receive what they need to process the transaction.
  • Communication providers (MSG91, Twilio, SendGrid, etc.) receive your phone number/email to deliver OTPs, notifications and transactional emails.
  • Call / video providers (100ms, Zegocloud, Agora) handle the audio/video stream during a live session.
  • Analytics providers (Google Analytics, Firebase, OneSignal) — for aggregate, de-identified usage analytics.
  • Cloud storage (AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.) — for hosting and file storage.
  • Government / regulatory authorities — when required by law, court order or legal process.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. Your data is not used to train any third-party AI / machine learning model.

7. International transfers

Some of our processors (Stripe, Firebase, Google Analytics, AWS) may process your data outside India. We rely on standard contractual protections with these processors and, where applicable, on the safeguards permitted under Section 16 of the DPDPA 2023 and Rule 7 of the IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules 2011.

8. Retention

We retain personal data for as long as your account is active. After account deletion, we retain (a) transaction records for 8 years for GST and accounting compliance, (b) anonymised consultation metadata for product improvement, and (c) abuse / fraud signals for 3 years to protect the platform.

9. Your rights under the DPDPA

You have the right to:

  • Access and obtain a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Erase your data (subject to legal retention requirements)
  • Withdraw your consent at any time (this may limit your access to the Services)
  • Nominate another individual to exercise these rights in case of your death or incapacity
  • Grievance redressal — see Section 13 below or our Grievance Redressal page

To exercise any right, email privacy@astroconnect.app. We respond within 15 days as required by law.

10. Children

The Services are not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact privacy@astroconnect.app and we will delete it.

11. Security — Reasonable Security Practices under IT Act s.43A

We have implemented and maintain reasonable security practices and procedures consistent with ISO/IEC 27001 — including HTTPS encryption, hashed passwords, restricted access to production systems, regular vulnerability scans, and access logging. No system is perfectly secure; if we discover a personal data breach affecting you, we will notify the Data Protection Board of India and you, in line with the DPDPA.

12. Cookies

See our separate Cookie Policy.

13. Grievance Officer (mandatory under Consumer Protection Rules + IT Intermediary Rules)

For any grievance under the IT Act 2000, IT Intermediary Guidelines 2021, DPDPA 2023, or Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules 2020, please contact:

  • Grievance Officer: Grievance Officer, AstroConnect
  • Email: grievance@astroconnect.app
  • Address: (To be filled in by AstroConnect — see admin Settings)
  • Acknowledgement: within 48 hours · Resolution: within 15 days

For complete escalation paths see our Grievance Redressal page.

14. Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officer: privacy@astroconnect.app

15. Updates to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be announced via in-app notification and email. The "Last updated" date above will always reflect the most recent version.

16. Contact us

For privacy questions: privacy@astroconnect.app
For grievances: Grievance Redressal · grievance@astroconnect.app
For general support: support@astroconnect.app