Privacy Policy

1. Overview & Introduction

Welcome to BHelper ("we", "us", "our"). BHelper is a local service discovery and job connection platform that connects individuals who need local services ("Customers") with independent local service providers and tradespeople ("Helpers").

We are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting the personal data you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how it is handled, with whom it may be shared, and your rights regarding your personal information when you use our mobile application or website.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide, maintain, improve, and secure our local connection services. We only collect information that is relevant and necessary for the functioning of the BHelper platform.

3. Account & Phone Number Information

When you create an account or use BHelper, we collect:

• Mobile Phone Number: Your mobile number serves as your primary account identifier and authentication credential for OTP verification.
• Account Name / Display Name: The name you provide to identify yourself to other users or helpers on the platform.
• User Type: Whether you are registered primarily as a Customer looking for services or as a Helper offering services.

4. Profile & Helper Information

For users offering services as Helpers:

• Trade Category & Skills: Specific categories (e.g., Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, Painter, Cleaner, AC Technician, Driver, Gardener).
• Service Description: Description of the trade services, experience, and working hours provided.
• Service Area / Working Radius: Local neighborhoods, localities, or approximate radial distances where you are available to accept jobs.
• Availability Status: Active or offline availability toggle.

For Customers:

• Job Requirements: Job descriptions, category needed, preferred timing, and approximate location of the service requirement.

5. Location Information

Because BHelper is a localized discovery directory:

• Approximate Location / City / Pincode: We use your selected area, city, or neighborhood to show relevant service providers nearby.
• Device Location (Optional): If you grant location permission, we may access precise or approximate GPS coordinates while the app is in use to calculate distance between customer requirements and nearby helpers.
• Location Sharing: We do not broadcast your exact real-time live GPS tracking to the public. Only the general neighborhood, locality, or approximate distance is displayed.

6. Photos & Uploaded Media

You may optionally upload:

• Profile Pictures: To personalize your helper or customer profile.
• Work Sample Photos: Images uploaded by helpers demonstrating past trade work (e.g., carpentry finishes, painting jobs).
• Job Requirement Photos: Images uploaded by customers to illustrate the specific repair or maintenance required.

We only access photos and storage when you explicitly choose to upload images from your device.

7. KYC / Identity Verification (Where Applicable)

To maintain community safety and trust:

• Where identity verification or helper vetting is applied, we may request official government-issued identification (such as Aadhaar card, PAN, Voter ID, or trade license) for verification purposes.
• Verification documents are stored securely and used solely to confirm identity and prevent fraudulent listings. Verification documents are not displayed publicly on user profiles.

8. Payment-Related Information

Direct Settlements: Unless specified otherwise in a dedicated in-app feature, service payments for offline tasks (such as hourly wages or agreed project fees) are settled directly between the Customer and the Helper.

BHelper does not collect or store full credit card numbers, debit card PINs, or net banking credentials on our servers.

9. Device & Technical Information

When accessing the app or website, our systems may automatically receive standard technical data:

• Device model, manufacturer, and operating system version (e.g., Android version).
• IP address and network connection type.
• App crash logs, performance metrics, and general diagnostic logs to troubleshoot errors and improve stability.

10. How Information Is Used

We utilize collected information strictly to:

• Create and manage user accounts and facilitate authentication via OTP.
• Enable customers to discover nearby helpers matching required skills.
• Enable helpers to view and respond to local customer requirements.
• Facilitate direct phone or message connections between customers and helpers.
• Provide customer support, resolve inquiries, and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Detect, prevent, and address spam, abuse, fraudulent listings, and violations of our Terms.
• Comply with applicable legal obligations and law enforcement requests.

11. How Information Is Shared

Between Users: When a helper creates a public profile, their name, skills, general locality, and contact number are visible to potential customers on the platform to enable service calls. When a customer posts a requirement, the job description and locality are visible to relevant local helpers.

No Sale of Data: We do NOT sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third-party data brokers or marketing agencies.

Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required to do so by applicable law, court order, governmental authority, or to protect the safety and rights of users and the public.

12. Third-Party Service Providers & Infrastructure

We work with trusted third-party infrastructure providers to support platform operations:

• Cloud Hosting & Storage: Secure cloud data centers for hosting application databases and files.
• SMS Gateways: Telecommunication partners for delivering one-time login OTP codes.
• Mapping & Location: Map service providers for location autocomplete and distance estimation.

These providers have access only to the information necessary to perform their respective technical functions and are bound by confidentiality agreements.

13. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational security measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/SSL), secure access controls, and regular infrastructure reviews.

14. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide you with the services. If you request account deletion, your data will be permanently removed or anonymized in accordance with our deletion procedure, except where retention is mandated by law.

15. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access & Review: View the personal details associated with your profile.
• Correction: Update or modify your contact number, skills, or service details.
• Opt-Out / Availability: Toggle your helper profile status to offline when unavailable.
• Erasure: Request the complete deletion of your account and associated data.

17. Children's Privacy

BHelper is intended strictly for individuals who are at least 18 years of age (or the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors under the age of 18. If we learn that personal data of a minor has been collected, we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our records.

18. Third-Party Links

Our website or application may contain links to external third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. We encourage users to read the privacy policies of any third-party website they visit.

19. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, or legal requirements. When updates are published, the "Last updated" date at the top of this page will be revised. Continued use of BHelper after modifications signifies your acceptance of the updated policy.

20. Contact Us & Grievance Officer

If you have any questions, feedback, or privacy-related requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please reach out to us: