Privacy Policy

1. Introduction & Statutory Framework

Welcome to Explore Lucknow (accessible at https://explorelucknow.in). Explore Lucknow is an independent digital city directory, tourism guide, and cultural magazine dedicated to the heritage, cuisine, craft, and local commerce of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

We respect your privacy and are committed to safeguarding personal information in strict compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) of the Republic of India.

2. Information We Collect

We believe in minimal data collection. We only process information necessary to provide our directory and magazine services:

• Anonymous Usage Data: Non-personally identifiable technical details including device type, browser model, operating system, pages visited, approximate geographic region (e.g. Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi), and duration of visits to enhance portal responsiveness.
• Direct Inquiries & WhatsApp Connect: When you click direct Call, WhatsApp, or Directions links for listed businesses, your communication happens directly between you and the respective third-party establishment. Explore Lucknow does not intercept, record, or store private phone calls or WhatsApp messages.
• Voluntary Form Submissions: If you voluntarily submit a business listing via our public submission form or contact us via our Contact form, we collect the submitted name, phone/WhatsApp number, business title, and inquiry details solely to verify and process your listing or request.

3. Cookies, Analytics & Advertising Standards

Like most modern portals, Explore Lucknow uses minimal cookies to optimize user experience:

• Functional Cookies: Small client-side preferences (such as your chosen Dark / Light Awadhi theme preference) stored in your local browser memory.
• Analytics & Google Services: We may utilize industry-standard analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to aggregate anonymous footfall statistics. These tools may employ cookies to track aggregate trends without identifying individuals.
• Third-Party Advertisements: Third-party ad vendors, including Google, may use cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) to serve relevant advertisements based on visits to this and other websites. Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ad Settings (adssettings.google.com).

4. Financial Information & Payments

For paid or sponsored listings (e.g., ₹99 Lifetime Listing or promotional tiers), payments are conducted through authorized and secure Indian payment channels (UPI, official banking channels). Explore Lucknow never requests, collects, or stores your credit card CVV, debit card PIN, net banking passwords, or UPI MPIN.

5. Intermediary Status & Third-Party Outbound Links

Explore Lucknow operates as an information intermediary under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Our platform includes outbound links to third-party services, including Google Maps (for directions), WhatsApp (for merchant chats), and merchant websites. Once you leave explorelucknow.in, you are subject to the privacy practices and terms of those third-party services.

6. Data Security & Storage in India

We deploy standard administrative, physical, and technical safeguards including SSL/TLS encryption (HTTPS), firewall protection, and restricted server access to protect against unauthorized data manipulation, access, or disclosure. All directory data is processed on secure servers with daily automated backups.

7. Your Rights under Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Under Indian privacy regulations, you enjoy the right to:

• Request summary confirmation of any personal information provided to us.
• Request correction, updating, or deletion of your listing or personal contact record.
• Nominate redressal of grievances regarding processing of your digital information.