StatusMela
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StatusMela Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated:
On this page
  1. The short version
  2. What we collect
  3. Why we use it
  4. Who we share it with
  5. Where we keep it
  6. How long we keep it
  7. Your rights
  8. Children
  9. Changes
  10. Contact

This policy explains what personal data StatusMela ("StatusMela", "we") collects when you use the StatusMela app and website, why, and the choices you have. We follow India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDP Act") and the Information Technology Act, 2000. For the DPDP Act, we are the Data Fiduciary for your data.

The short version#

  • We collect what we need to run StatusMela: your Google sign-in profile, what you post, and how you use the app.
  • We don't sell your personal data.
  • Your photos are stripped of hidden location data before anyone sees them.
  • You can see, correct and delete your data, and delete your account at any time.

What we collect#

When you sign in with Google

  • Your name, email address, profile photo and Google account ID. We never see your Google password.

What you add

  • Your username, display name, bio, profile photo, app language and the languages you want to see.
  • Posts (photos, videos, GIFs, text and shayari), captions, hashtags, comments, likes, follows, shares, saved posts, contest entries and reports you make.

From your device

  • Device model, Android version, app version, language and a device name.
  • A push token (from Google Firebase Cloud Messaging) so we can send you notifications.
  • Your IP address, for security and to stop abuse.

How you use StatusMela

  • Which posts you view, like, share or skip, and for how long, so we can show you a feed you'll enjoy and count views for creators.
  • Crash reports and performance data (through Google Firebase Crashlytics) so we can fix problems.

For ads (only when ads are switched on)

  • Your device's advertising ID and basic device information, used by our ad partners Google AdMob and Meta Audience Network to show and measure ads. You can reset or delete the advertising ID in your phone's settings (Settings → Google → Ads, or Settings → Privacy → Ads).

We don't collect your contacts, SMS messages or precise location. We remove GPS location and other hidden data (EXIF) from photos when you upload them.

Why we use it#

  • To create and secure your account and keep you signed in.
  • To show your posts and profile to others, and run features like comments, follows, greetings, frames and contests.
  • To personalise your feed in your languages.
  • To send notifications you can control in the app.
  • To keep StatusMela safe: automatic checks for nudity and abusive words, reviewing reports and fighting spam and fraud.
  • To understand and improve StatusMela, and fix bugs.
  • To show ads that keep StatusMela free (when ads are on).
  • To meet legal duties, such as answering lawful requests from government agencies.

We process your data with your consent, which you give when you sign up, and for the legitimate uses the DPDP Act allows (such as following the law and keeping the service safe).

Who we share it with#

  • Other StatusMela users see your public profile and posts. Anyone with a link can view public posts on our website.
  • Service providers who work for us under contract: Cloudflare (R2 file storage and delivery), our hosting providers, Google (sign-in, Firebase Cloud Messaging and Crashlytics) and, when ads are on, Google AdMob and Meta Audience Network.
  • Authorities, when Indian law requires it — for example a court order or a request under the IT Act.

We don't sell your personal data.

Where we keep it#

Your photos and videos are stored on Cloudflare R2 and our own servers; other data is kept in our databases. Some providers may process data outside India, which the DPDP Act allows except for countries the Government of India restricts. We protect data in transit (HTTPS) and limit staff access to those who need it.

How long we keep it#

  • While your account is active, we keep your data so the service works.
  • When you delete your account, it is deleted after a 30-day grace period (see Delete your account). Backups are cleared within a further 90 days.
  • Security and access logs are kept for 180 days, as Indian law requires.
  • We may keep some data longer if the law requires it or it is needed for an ongoing investigation or legal claim.

Your rights#

Under the DPDP Act you can:

  • Access a summary of the personal data we hold about you and how we use it.
  • Correct or update it — most of it right in the app under Settings → Edit profile.
  • Erase it, by deleting posts or your whole account.
  • Withdraw consent at any time by deleting your account. This doesn't affect what we did before.
  • Nominate someone to exercise these rights if you die or can't act yourself.
  • Raise a complaint with us, and if you're not satisfied, complain to the Data Protection Board of India.

To use any of these rights, email [email protected]. We'll reply within the time the law requires.

Children#

StatusMela is only for people aged 18 and above. We don't knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child is using StatusMela, tell us at [email protected] and we'll remove the account.

Changes#

We'll update this policy when our practices change. If the changes are important, we'll tell you in the app. The date at the top shows the latest version.

Contact#