Local Thread - Discover Local Fashion Shops

1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Welcome to Local Threads! We are committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains how we (the "Platform," "we," "us," or "our") collect, use, store, and protect the personal information of our users, including "Shopkeepers" (or "Sellers") and "Customers" (or "Users").

Our Platform is a discovery marketplace. We do not process payments or take part in any sale. We simply connect Customers with local Shopkeepers.

By using our website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. You also acknowledge that you have read and understood our Terms and Conditions.

For the purpose of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), the Data Fiduciary for the personal data collected on this website is Local Threads.

2. What Information We Collect (Your Personal Data)

We collect different types of information depending on whether you are a Customer or a Shopkeeper.

A. For Customers (Users):

To Sign Up (e.g., for a Wishlist):

Required: Your Full Name, Email Address, and a Password.
Optional: Your Phone Number.

For Marketing (Only with your explicit consent):

We collect your consent to send you promotional messages via WhatsApp, Email, and SMS. This is collected via a separate, unticked checkbox during sign-up which reads: "Notify me about price drops, sales & exclusive deals via Whatsapp, Email and SMS".

B. For Shopkeepers (Sellers):

To Onboard and Create Your Shop Page:

Shop Name
Owner's Name
Phone Number
GST Number (for verification)
Shop Address
Password
Optional: Email Address, Google Maps location.

C. Automated Data Collection (Clickstream Data):

When you use our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information. This includes clickstream data, pages you view, links you click, and other actions you take on the Platform. We use this to understand how our service is used, to improve it, and to provide a more relevant user experience. This may include both aggregated (anonymous) data and data tied to your user profile.

3. How We Use Your Information (The Purpose)

The DPDP Act requires us to have a specific, lawful purpose for processing your data. Here are ours:

To Provide Our Service (Primary Purpose):

To create and maintain your account (Customer or Shopkeeper).
To allow Customers to create and manage their wishlists.
To allow Shopkeepers to list their products and display their shop information (address, phone number, location) to Customers.
To enable Customers to discover local shops and their products.
To verify the identity of our Shopkeepers as required by law (e.g., using your GST number).

For Marketing & Promotions (Secondary Purpose - With Consent Only):

If, and only if, you have explicitly opted-in by checking the marketing box, we will use your Email, Phone Number, and/or WhatsApp to send you "price drops, sales & exclusive deals."

You can withdraw this consent at any time.

To Improve Our Platform:

To analyze clickstream data to understand user behaviour, fix bugs, and improve the website's functionality.

For Legal & Security Reasons:

To comply with our legal obligations under Indian law (e.g., IT Act, 2000; Consumer Protection Act, 2019).
To respond to legal requests or orders.
To enforce our Terms and Conditions and Seller Agreement.

4. Your Data Protection Rights (Under the DPDP Act)

You are the owner of your data. Under the DPDP Act, 2023, you have the following rights. To exercise any of them, please email our Grievance Officer.

Right to Access: You can request a summary of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You can request that we delete your personal data. We will comply, unless we are required by law to retain it for a specific period.
Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent for our processing of your data at any time. For marketing, you can withdraw consent by clicking "unsubscribe" in an email or by contacting us. If you withdraw consent for us to process data necessary for the service (e.g., your email for your account), you will no longer be able to use our service, and we will proceed with the deletion of your account.
Right to Grievance Redressal: You have the right to lodge a complaint with our Grievance Officer.

5. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We will only retain your personal data for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for.

If you are a Customer or Shopkeeper, we will retain your data as long as your account is active.
If you delete your account, we will erase your personal data in accordance with our deletion cycle, unless we are required by law to retain it (e.g., for legal or compliance records).

7. Third-Party Links

Our Platform contains information and links provided by Shopkeepers, such as their shop address, phone number, and potentially links to their location on Google Maps. This Privacy Policy only applies to the Local Threads website. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third parties or any information you share with a Shopkeeper directly (e.g., by calling them, visiting their shop, or messaging them on WhatsApp).

8. Grievance Redressal

In compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021, and the DPDP Act, 2023, we have appointed a Grievance Officer.

If you have any questions, complaints, or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact:

Name: Parv

Designation: Founder & Grievance Officer

Email: admin@localthread.in

We will acknowledge your complaint and will work to resolve it in a timely manner as prescribed by law.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.