HT Digital Streams Limited - Privacy Policy

Scope: This policy applies to Hindustan Times,LiveMint, Live Hindustan, their respective mobile applications, and all HTDSL-operated Financial Services/Marketplace experiences embedded within these properties (collectively, the "Platform").

1. INTRODUCTION

HT Digital Streams Limited (hereinafter referred to as "HTDSL," "We," "Us," or "Our"), a company incorporated under the laws of India, recognizes the critical importance of protecting the privacy and personal data of every user and visitor who accesses or avails our services ("You" or "Your").

Your privacy is paramount to us, and we deeply value the trust you place in us. We are committed to being fully transparent about the personal data we collect, how we use it, and the measures we take to protect it.

This Privacy Policy ("Policy") explains how we collect, receive, store, disclose, share, and use your personal data when you use our Platform or interact with us. It also outlines your rights regarding your personal data and how you can exercise them.

Please read this Policy carefully. By accessing, browsing, using, or registering on our Platform, you give explicit consent to the processing of your personal data as described herein and agree to be bound by this Policy and our Terms. If you do not agree, please do not access or use the Platform.

2. Content Ownership & AI Protections

All articles, images, and graphics are the property of HTDSL or its licensors.

• Non-Commercial Use: You may use our content for personal, non-commercial purposes only.
• AI Restriction: Unauthorised scraping or automated harvesting of our data to train Large Language Models (LLMs) or other AI systems is strictly prohibited without a separate, written licensing agreement.

3. Community Standards

We welcome vigorous debate but maintain a zero-tolerance policy for:

• Hate speech or identity-based harassment.
• Personal attacks or incitement of violence.
• Knowingly false information or coordinated disinformation.
• We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove content and suspend accounts that violate these standards.

4. Subscription & "No Dark Patterns" Guarantee

We are committed to fair design. We do not use "dark patterns" to trick users into staying subscribed. Cancellation options are always easy to find, and billing terms (including frequency and refunds) are clearly stated at the point of purchase.

5. Information We Collect

We collect data directly (account creation) and automatically (cookies):

• Identity/Contact: Name, email, mobile number, and DOB.
• Financial Data: PAN, KYC details, and income range (for financial service applications).
• Credit Information: As your authorized representative, we may retrieve your credit score from CICs.
• Technical Data: IP address, device identifiers, and clickstream data.

6. Purpose of Processing

We process your data to:

• Deliver personalized news and manage subscriptions.
• Assess eligibility and facilitate applications for financial products.
• Marketing: Send relevant offers from HT Media group companies (you may opt out at any time).
• Security: Detect and prevent fraud or illegal activity.

7. Cookies & Your Controls

We use cookies to remember settings, measure audience size, and show relevant ads.

• Necessary: Core site functionality.
• Performance/Personalization: Understanding reader behavior and tailoring ads.
• User Control: You can manage or withdraw consent for non-essential cookies via our site settings or by clearing your browser cache (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).

8. Sharing & Disclosure

We share data with:

• Financial Institutions: To process loans or insurance you apply for.
• CICs: To retrieve credit reports with your explicit consent.
• Service Providers: For hosting, payments, and analytics.
• Affiliates: Within the HT Media group for cross-brand experiences.

Note: We do not sell your personal data.

9. International Users (EEA/UK)

Pursuant to the GDPR, HTDSL acts as a Controller. Users in the EEA/UK have specific rights to object to profiling and request data portability. Data is primarily stored in India; any cross-border processing follows strict adequacy standards.

10. Grievance Redressal

HTDSL has established a Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

For Editorial/General (Hindustan Times):

• Grievance Officer: Mr. Nisheeth Upadhyay
• Address: HT Digital Streams Limited, 5th Floor, Lotus Tower, A Block, Community Centre, New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025
• Phone: +91 11 66561123
• Email: [email protected]
• Timings: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday (excluding public holidays)

For Financial Services (Marketplace/Credit/Loans/Insurance/Investments):

• Grievance Officer: Mr. Neelabh Vikram Mall
• Address: HT Digital Streams Limited, 5th Floor, Lotus Tower, A Block, Community Centre, New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025
• Phone: 0124 411 7763
• Email: [email protected]
• Timings: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday (excluding public holidays)

We will acknowledge Your grievance within 24 hours and endeavour to resolve it within 15 days of receipt.

11. WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT

You may withdraw consent by writing to us.

• Financial Services: [email protected]
• Livemint: [email protected]
• Hindustan Times: [email protected]
• Postal Address: As above.
• To specifically opt out of data enrichment for direct marketing, personalised advertising/profiling, or inter group cross sell marketing, please specify your preference when you contact us. We will record and honour your preferences within a reasonable time and update them as soon as reasonably practical.

12. CONTACT US

Phone: 0124 4118763 (9am–5pm, Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays)

Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

Postal: HT Digital Streams Limited, 5th Floor, Lotus Tower, A Block, Community Centre, New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025

13. LODGING A COMPLAINT WITH THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY

If You believe Your personal data has been processed in a manner not compliant with applicable Indian laws, You may lodge a complaint with the appropriate regulatory authority or seek other remedies available under law. This may include the Data Protection Board of India (or its successor), subject to the procedural requirements prescribed from time to time.

We, HT Digital Streams Limited or HTDSL, are licensed to operate and manage the websites of HT Media Limited, including this website and recognizes the importance of maintaining the privacy of every user who visits our website. We value your privacy and appreciate your trust in us. We are committed to be transparent about the data we collect about you, how it is used and with whom it is shared.

This Privacy Policy is applicable in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK), and is pursuant to the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation 2016/679) and the UK GDPR. It applies when you use/visit our website or any other online service that links or refers to it. It does not govern or apply to information collected or used by HTDSL or its group companies through any other means.

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy and the processing of personal data processed pursuant to it, HTDSL is a Controller under the applicable law.