Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

We collect only the information needed to provide and improve Trip Saathi's features.

a. Information you provide directly

• Account information: name, email address, phone number, profile picture, and password (stored in hashed/encrypted form by our authentication provider).
• Trip & expense data: trip names, destinations, dates, group members, expense entries, amounts, currency, categories, notes, receipts, and split preferences.
• Trip memories: photos, captions, or media you choose to upload to a trip.
• Settlement records: who owes whom and how much; optional UPI ID / payment handle you choose to share with group members to receive money.
• Support communications: messages, feedback, or reports you send to us.

b. Information collected automatically

• Device & technical info: device model, operating system version, app version, language, time zone, unique app instance identifiers, and crash logs.
• Usage data: features used, screens visited, actions taken (e.g. "expense added"), session duration, and approximate time of use — used in aggregated, non-identifying form for analytics.
• Diagnostic data: error logs and performance data to help us identify and fix bugs.

c. Information from third parties

• Google Sign-In: if you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile photo from Google.
• Contacts (optional): if you grant permission, we read contact names and phone numbers only to help you invite friends to a trip. Contacts are not uploaded in bulk to our servers; only the contacts you actually choose to invite are processed.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account and authenticate you when you sign in.
• Provide the core features: track expenses, split bills, calculate balances, manage shared budgets, and store trip memories.
• Sync your trips across your devices and with other members of the same trip group.
• Send important service notifications (e.g. when a friend adds an expense, settles up, or invites you to a trip).
• Improve the App through anonymized analytics and crash diagnostics.
• Detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, security issues, or violations of our terms.
• Comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not use your personal content (photos, expense notes, chat messages) to train advertising profiles or sell to third parties.

Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR / DPDP)

Where applicable, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Contract: processing necessary to provide the App you signed up for.
• Consent: for optional features such as contacts access, notifications, and uploading photos.
• Legitimate interests: to secure our service, prevent fraud, and improve features.
• Legal obligation: when required by law.

Sharing & Disclosure

Trip Saathi is built around group trips. Some data is shared by design:

• With your trip group: when you add an expense or memory to a trip, other members of that trip can see it (the expense, amount, category, notes, your name, profile photo, and the split amount each member owes).
• With service providers: we share limited data with vetted third parties that help us run the App (see Section 5).
• For legal reasons: we may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of users or the public.
• Business transfers: if Trip Saathi is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred — you will be notified before any change applies.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing.

Third-Party Services

The App uses the following trusted third-party services. Each operates under its own privacy policy:

Their respective policies: Google / Firebase.

Device Permissions

The App may request the following Android permissions. Each is used only for the stated purpose, and you can revoke them anytime in your device settings.

• Internet / Network state: to sync your data with our servers.
• Camera (optional): to capture receipt or memory photos.
• Photos / Media / Storage (optional): to pick existing photos for a trip memory or receipt.
• Contacts (optional): to help you invite friends to a trip.
• Notifications: to alert you about new expenses, settle-ups, and invites.

Payments & Settlements

Trip Saathi helps you track and calculate who owes whom. The actual money transfer happens outside the App, using your preferred method (UPI app, bank transfer, cash, etc.). We do not process card payments, and we do not store full bank account or card numbers. If you choose to share a UPI ID or payment handle inside the App, it becomes visible to the members of the relevant trip so they can pay you back.

Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored on secure cloud infrastructure operated by Google Cloud / Firebase. We use industry-standard security measures including encryption in transit (HTTPS / TLS), encryption at rest, access controls, and authentication tokens.

While we take reasonable precautions, no system is 100% secure. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential and signing out from shared devices.

Data Retention

• We retain your account and trip data for as long as your account is active.
• If you delete a trip, it is removed from your account; copies may persist temporarily in backups for up to 30 days before being permanently removed.
• If you delete your account, your personal data (profile, trips you own, photos) is deleted within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal, accounting, or fraud-prevention reasons.
• Anonymized analytics may be retained longer as they no longer identify you.

Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction (GDPR, India's DPDP Act, CCPA, etc.), you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data (you can edit most of this directly in the App).
• Delete your data ("right to be forgotten").
• Export your data in a portable format.
• Withdraw consent for optional processing (e.g. notifications, contacts).
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at pktiwari110487@gmail.com.

Account & Data Deletion

You can delete your Trip Saathi account at any time. See our dedicated Delete Account page for the full process, including:

• In the app: Profile → Settings → Account → Delete Account and confirm.
• By email: send a deletion request from your registered email to pktiwari110487@gmail.com with the subject "Delete my account".

Account deletion permanently removes your profile, your owned trips, and any photos you uploaded. Expenses you added to trips owned by other members may remain in those trips (with your name replaced by "Deleted user") so the group's balances stay accurate. Deletion is completed within 30 days.

Children's Privacy

Trip Saathi is not directed to children under 13 (or the applicable minimum age in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at pktiwari110487@gmail.com and we will delete it promptly.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your own, including on Google Cloud servers. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) for international transfers.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top and, where appropriate, notify you in the App or by email. Continued use of Trip Saathi after the changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact:

• Email: pktiwari110487@gmail.com
• App: Trip Saathi
• Data Controller: Trip Saathi Team

We will respond to verified requests within 30 days.