Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 1, 2026 · Effective: January 1, 2026
1. Introduction
AdvicePool ("we", "us", "our") operates the AdvicePool mobile application and website (advicepool.com). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and protect your personal information.
We are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy applies to all users of AdvicePool, including seekers (users seeking advice or services), guides (experts providing advice), sellers, and visitors to our website.
2. Data We Collect
Account data: Username, email address, phone number (encrypted), animal avatar (no real photos required), region/city.
Usage data: Search queries, pages viewed, features used, session duration.
Transaction data: Call history, payment amounts, wallet balances. No full card numbers stored — payments processed by Razorpay.
Location data: Approximate location only (fuzzy GPS — we never store or transmit your exact coordinates). City-level only.
Device data: Device type, OS version, app version, crash reports.
Communications: In-app chat messages (stored encrypted). Voice calls are NOT recorded.
3. How We Use Your Data
Service delivery: Matching seekers with guides, processing payments, delivering notifications.
Safety and moderation: Detecting fraud, abuse, and policy violations.
Improvement: Understanding how features are used to improve the product.
Legal obligations: Responding to lawful requests from Indian and international authorities.
We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not use your data for targeted advertising without consent.
4. AI Usage Disclosure
How AdvicePool uses Artificial Intelligence
We use AI for the following purposes on AdvicePool:
- Guide matching — AI analyzes your search query and matches it with relevant guides
- Content moderation — AI assists in detecting policy violations in listings and posts
- Competency assessment — AI evaluates guide knowledge during onboarding interviews
- Search relevance — AI ranks search results based on relevance to your query
- Pillar routing — AI suggests which pillar best fits your search intent
Important: AI results may not be perfect. AdvicePool AI is a tool to assist connections — it does not replace human judgment. Guide recommendations, competency scores, and search results are AI-assisted but not AI-guaranteed.
"AdvicePool uses AI · Results may vary"
5. Data Sharing
Service providers: We share data with Neon (database hosting), Google Cloud (file storage), Agora (voice calls — masked, no numbers shared), Razorpay (payments), Sentry (error tracking).
Guides: When you book a call, the guide sees only your username and avatar — never your real name, phone, or email.
Law enforcement: We disclose data when required by valid legal process under Indian law or applicable jurisdiction.
All third-party providers are bound by data processing agreements.
6. Data Retention
Account data: Retained while your account is active + 90 days after deletion request.
Chat messages: 1 year from last activity in that chat room.
Call records: 2 years (required for dispute resolution).
Payment records: 7 years (Indian GST compliance).
Deleted accounts: Anonymized within 30 days of deletion request; payment records retained as required by law.
7. Your Rights (GDPR — EU Users)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have the following rights:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
- Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
- Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Restriction: Request restriction of processing
To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.
8. Your Rights (DPDP — India Users)
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (India)
As an Indian Data Fiduciary under the DPDP Act 2023, AdvicePool provides the following rights to Indian users:
- Right to access: Know what personal data we hold about you
- Right to correction: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
- Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
- Right to grievance redressal: File complaints with our Data Protection Officer
- Right to nominate: Nominate another person to exercise your rights in case of death or incapacity
Data Protection Officer: [email protected]
Grievance Officer: [email protected]
Consent for processing your personal data is obtained at account registration. You may withdraw consent at any time by deleting your account. Withdrawal of consent may affect your ability to use AdvicePool services.
9. Cookies
We use essential cookies only on our website. We do not use tracking or advertising cookies without your consent. See our Cookie Policy for full details.
10. Children's Privacy
AdvicePool is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a minor has created an account, contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via in-app notification and email. Continued use of AdvicePool after changes constitutes acceptance.
12. Contact Us
For privacy questions or to exercise your rights:
Email: [email protected]
Address: AdvicePool, Hyderabad, Telangana, India