Privacy Policy
Effective Date: May 15, 2026 · Last Updated: May 15, 2026
Published by Bytebucksa Technologies & Solutions Private Limited (CIN: U73100DL2024PTC436062). This policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal data when you use BytePulse, in compliance with the IT Act 2000, IT (SPDI) Rules 2011, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDP Act").
1. Data We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
- Account info: name (or alias), email, avatar, topic preferences
- Google Sign-In: name, email, profile photo (no Google contacts, calendar, drive, or other services)
- User Content: reactions, poll votes, quiz responses, "Your Take" opinions, discussion posts
- Communications: support requests, feedback
- Payment info: transaction confirmations only — we do not store card numbers, bank details, UPI IDs, or CVV codes
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage data — stories viewed, AI questions, time per story, quiz scores, XP, streaks
- Device info — type, OS, app version, browser, language
- Log data — IP address (anonymized after 30 days), timestamps, referring URLs, error logs
- Analytics — pseudonymized data via Mixpanel / Firebase
1.3 What We Do NOT Collect
- Precise GPS location
- Contact lists or phone directory
- Microphone, camera, sensor data
- Biometric data
- Aadhaar, PAN, or government ID details
- Health or medical information
2. Purpose and Legal Basis
We process data for: providing Platform services, personalizing your feed, operating gamification, sending notifications (opt-in), improving the Platform, processing payments, responding to support, preventing fraud, showing contextual ads (free tier only), and complying with legal obligations. Legal bases under the DPDP Act: contract performance, legitimate use, explicit consent, and compliance with law.
3. Consent
Registration constitutes consent for core service data. Notifications, analytics, and certain features require opt-in, which you can withdraw at any time via settings. Users 13–18 require parental consent.
4. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your data. We share only with: cloud providers (AWS), analytics processors (Mixpanel/Firebase), payment processors (Razorpay, Google Play, Apple), legal authorities when required, and successor entities in case of M&A. Aggregated, anonymized stats may be shared with publishers — never identifying you personally.
5. Advertising
All advertising is contextual only — matched to story category, not your behavioral profile. We do not use cross-app tracking, third-party ad pixels, or share personal data with ad networks. Premium subscribers see zero ads.
6. Data Retention
| Data Type | Retention |
|---|---|
| Active account data | Duration of account + 30 days post-deletion |
| Usage data | 24 months, then anonymized |
| Deep Dive AI chat history | 12 months |
| Support tickets | 12 months after resolution |
| Payment records | 8 years (Income Tax Act) |
| Audit logs | 5 years |
| Deleted account data | Purged within 30 days of request |
7. Your Rights Under the DPDP Act
You have rights to: access your data, correct inaccuracies, erase your data, nominate another person, withdraw consent, and lodge a grievance. Email privacy@bytepulse.club — we acknowledge within 48 hours and resolve within 30 days.
8. Data Security
We implement TLS 1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest, role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication for admins, regular security audits, and 72-hour breach notification to CERT-In as required.
9. Cross-Border Transfers
Data may be processed on cloud infrastructure outside India under appropriate contractual safeguards. We will comply with any data localization rules issued under the DPDP Act.
10. Children's Privacy
We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. Accounts discovered to be operated by children under 13 will be deleted promptly.
11. Grievance Officer
In compliance with Rule 3(2) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2021 and Section 8(10) of the DPDP Act:
- Name: Shashank Desai
- Designation: Grievance Officer
- Email: support@bytepulse.club
- Address: A-19, GF, Okhla Phase 2 FIEE Complex Kartar Tower, Okhla Industrial Estate, South Delhi, Delhi, India, 110020
Grievances acknowledged within 24 hours, resolved within 15 days.
12. Changes to This Policy
Material changes communicated via in-app notification or email at least 14 days before they take effect.