Privacy Policy – Dev Boys Hostel Portal

Last updated: January 1, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Dev Boys Hostel (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and protects personal information when you use our website, hostel management portal, and WhatsApp reminder services (collectively, the “Service”).

1. Information we collect

We collect the following types of information when you use our Service:

Contact details: Name, mobile number, email address.
Account details: Login ID/username, encrypted password, hostel/room details.
Billing and stay details: Rent amount, food charges, due dates, payment status, plan/room type, check-in/check-out dates.
WhatsApp data: Phone number used for WhatsApp, message templates and logs related to rent and food reminders (we do not read your personal WhatsApp chats).
Usage data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, login timestamps, and basic analytics.

We do not collect or store payment card numbers, UPI PINs, net banking passwords, or other highly sensitive financial data.

2. How we use your information

We use your information to:

Create and manage your hostel account and login access.
Show your rent, food charges, payment history, and due dates inside the portal.
Send WhatsApp and SMS reminders for rent, food payments, and other important hostel notifications (only if you have provided your mobile number and agreed to receive messages).
Respond to your queries and support requests.
Improve, maintain, and secure our website and systems.
Comply with legal or regulatory obligations.

We process your data based on your consent, our contract with you as a resident/user, and legitimate interests such as running and securing the hostel and portal.

3. WhatsApp API and communications

We use the WhatsApp Business API or a WhatsApp service provider to send automated reminders and notifications.

By providing your mobile number and interacting with us on WhatsApp, you consent to receive service-related messages (rent reminders, payment confirmations, notices, and support).
Messages are encrypted in transit by WhatsApp; we do not control how WhatsApp (Meta) processes your data and you should review WhatsApp’s own terms and privacy policy.
You can opt out of WhatsApp reminders at any time by sending a message such as “STOP” or contacting us using the details below.

We do not use WhatsApp messages for bulk marketing; we use them only for service and reminder purposes.

4. Cookies and analytics

Our website may use cookies and basic analytics to:

Keep you logged in securely.
Remember your preferences.
Understand how the portal is used and improve performance.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may limit some functionality.

5. Data sharing and third parties

We do not sell your personal data. We may share limited information with:

Service providers: Hosting providers, WhatsApp API providers, SMS gateways, email services, or analytics tools that help us deliver the Service.
Legal/authorities: When required by applicable law, regulation, or legal process.

These providers are required to use your data only to provide services to us and must protect it appropriately.

6. Data retention

We keep your data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described above:

Account and hostel stay data: kept while you are an active user/resident, and for a reasonable period after you vacate or close your account for legal and accounting reasons.
WhatsApp/SMS reminder logs: retained for a limited period (for example, 6–12 months) for audit and troubleshooting, then deleted or anonymized.

You can request earlier deletion of your data as described below, subject to legal obligations.

7. Data security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, misuse, or loss, including:

Secure hosting and firewalls.
Strong password policies and access controls.
Encryption of passwords and secure connections (HTTPS) where available.

However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion of your data (see Data Deletion section).
Withdraw consent for WhatsApp reminders or other communications.
Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority where applicable.

You can exercise these rights by contacting us using the details below.

9. Children’s privacy

Our Service is intended for adults and older students staying in the hostel. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children below the age permitted by local law without parental consent.

10. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. Please review this page periodically.

11. Contact us

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

Dev Boys Hostel
15/640 Mettupalayam Road, RS Puram, Near Central Theater, Coimbatore – 641002
Email: hello@boyshostel.in
Phone: +91-75986-48001