Privacy Policy

OWNZAA (“OWNZAA”, “we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, how long we keep it, how you can delete it, and the choices you have.

It applies to the OWNZAA website at ownzaa.com and to the OWNZAA Android app published on Google Play (together, the “Platform”). OWNZAA is operated from Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.

1. Who We Are

OWNZAA is an online property marketplace where owners, brokers and builders list houses, flats, plots and commercial property for sale or rent, and buyers and tenants contact them directly. For any privacy question, write to support@ownzaa.com.

2. Information We Collect

Information you give us

• Account information: your name, mobile number, email address, city, the role you choose (owner, broker, builder or buyer/tenant) and your password. Passwords are stored in encrypted (hashed) form; we cannot read them.
• Listing information: property details, photos, price, address or locality, the map location you pin, and the contact number or WhatsApp number you choose to show for the listing.
• Enquiry information: your name, mobile number and city when you ask to call, WhatsApp or enquire about a listing.
• Messages to us: what you send through the contact form, the account deletion form, or by email.
• Verification documents: identity or ownership proof you choose to submit to get a “Verified” badge.
• Payment information: when you buy a listing plan, payment is processed by our payment partner, Razorpay. We receive the order ID, amount, plan and payment status. We do not collect or store your card, UPI PIN or bank account details.

Information collected automatically

• Usage and device data: pages and screens viewed, searches, buttons tapped, approximate location derived from your IP address, device type, operating system, browser, app version, IP address and crash or error information.
• Cookies and similar technologies: used to keep you signed in, remember preferences and measure how the Platform is used (see section 6).

3. App Permissions and Device Data

The OWNZAA Android app asks for access only when a feature needs it, and you can say no or change it later in your Android settings.

• Photos and camera: used only when you choose to add property photos. The app receives only the photos you pick or take. We do not scan or upload anything else from your gallery.
• Location (optional): used only when you tap “My location” while pinning a property on the map, to centre the map near you. We save only the property pin you confirm. We do not track your location in the background.
• Phone and WhatsApp: tapping Call or WhatsApp opens your phone dialler or the WhatsApp app. We do not read your call logs, contacts or messages.
• Notifications: if the app asks to send notifications, they are used only for your account, listing and enquiry alerts. You can turn them off at any time.

The app does not access your contacts, SMS, call logs or microphone.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• create and manage your account and keep you signed in;
• publish your listings and show them to people searching for property;
• connect buyers and tenants with the right owner, broker or builder;
• process listing-plan payments and keep invoice records;
• review verification documents and show the “Verified” badge;
• answer your questions and handle complaints;
• understand how the Platform is used so we can fix problems and improve it;
• prevent spam, fraud, fake listings and misuse; and
• meet our legal and tax obligations.

5. How We Share Information

We share your information only as described here:

• With other users, when you ask us to: when you enquire about a listing, your name, mobile number and city are shared with the person who posted it so they can reply. Listing details and photos you publish are visible to everyone using the Platform.
• With service providers who work for us: payment processing (Razorpay), website and app analytics (Google Analytics), web hosting, email delivery, and map and address search (OpenStreetMap and its Nominatim search service). They may use the data only to provide their service to us.
• For legal reasons: where required by law, a court order or a valid request from a government authority, or to protect the rights and safety of our users and the public.
• Business transfer: if OWNZAA is merged or sold, your information may move to the new owner, who must follow this policy.

We never sell your personal data, and we do not share it with advertisers.

6. Cookies, Analytics and Third-Party Services

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences and measure how the Platform is used. We use these third-party services, each with its own privacy policy:

• Google Analytics (usage statistics): Google Privacy Policy. You can opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.
• Razorpay (payments): Razorpay Privacy Policy.
• OpenStreetMap (maps and address search): OpenStreetMap Foundation Privacy Policy.
• WhatsApp (only when you choose to message someone): WhatsApp Privacy Policy.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some features, such as staying signed in, may not work without them.

7. Data Security

All data between your device and OWNZAA is encrypted in transit using HTTPS. Passwords are stored in hashed form, and access to personal data is limited to people who need it to run the Platform. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security, but we work to protect your data and will act promptly on any security issue.

8. Data Retention

• Account and profile: kept while your account is active, and deleted when you delete your account (see section 9).
• Listings and photos: kept until you remove them or delete your account.
• Enquiries and messages: kept for up to 24 months so we can handle disputes and spam, then deleted or anonymised.
• Payment and invoice records: kept for the period required by Indian tax and accounting laws.
• Analytics data: kept in aggregated or pseudonymous form for up to 14 months.

9. Delete Your Account and Data

You can ask us to delete your OWNZAA account and the personal data linked to it at any time, from the website or the app:

1. Open the Delete Account page (ownzaa.com/delete-account/), fill in your registered mobile number or email, and submit the request; or
2. Email support@ownzaa.com from your registered email address with the subject “Delete my OWNZAA account”.

We may confirm the request with you through your registered email or mobile number to protect your account. We then delete your account within 30 days. This removes your profile, your listings and photos, your saved properties and the enquiries linked to your account. We keep only what the law requires, such as payment and invoice records, and limited records needed to prevent fraud or resolve a legal claim. Details you already shared with a listing owner through an enquiry may remain with that person.

You can also ask us to delete specific data, such as a single listing or an old enquiry, without deleting your whole account.

10. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, including India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, you may:

• ask what personal data we hold about you and get a copy of it;
• correct or update inaccurate data (most details can be edited from your dashboard);
• ask us to delete your data or close your account;
• withdraw consent for optional processing at any time; and
• raise a grievance with us, and if it is not resolved, with the authority designated under the law.

To use these rights, contact us at support@ownzaa.com.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Platform is meant for adults aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Third-Party Links

The Platform may link to other websites and apps, such as map, payment or messaging services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so please read their policies.

13. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post changes on this page and update the “Last updated” date. If a change is significant, we will also tell you through the Platform.

14. Grievance Officer and Contact

For privacy questions, data requests or complaints, contact our Grievance Officer:

• Email: support@ownzaa.com
• Address: OWNZAA, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST

We acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and aim to resolve them within 15 days.