At Dastak Media ("we", "us", "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, interact with our social media platforms, or communicate with us via email, WhatsApp, or other channels. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our Service, you consent to the practices described herein.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information from you:

• Personal Information: When you voluntarily provide it to us, such as your name, phone number, email address, or location when you submit a news tip, contact us, or subscribe to our updates.
• Non-Personal Information: Automatically collected data such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, time and date of access, and referring website. This helps us understand how our audience uses our Service.
• News Tips & Submissions: Any text, images, videos, audio, or documents you share with us as a potential news story. Please do not send sensitive personal information or confidential material unless necessary.
• Communication Data: Records of your correspondence with us via email, WhatsApp, or social media direct messages.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To publish, verify, and investigate news tips and stories submitted by you or other citizens.
• To respond to your inquiries, feedback, or complaints.
• To improve our website, content, and user experience.
• To analyze traffic and usage patterns (e.g., which articles are most read).
• To comply with legal obligations, court orders, or lawful requests from authorities.
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of Dastak Media, our journalists, our users, or the public.

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

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly agree to share your information for a specific purpose (e.g., crediting you as a tipster).
• Service Providers: We may use third-party services (such as website hosting, analytics, or email platforms) that process data on our behalf. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or court order, we may disclose information to relevant authorities.
• Protection of Rights: To enforce our Terms of Service, investigate potential violations, or defend against legal claims.
• Publicly Submitted Tips: If you submit a news tip or content, we may publish it (anonymized or credited as per your preference) as part of our journalistic work.

4. Anonymity & Confidentiality of Tipsters

Dastak Media respects the need for anonymity, especially for whistleblowers or individuals in sensitive situations. If you request to remain anonymous when submitting a news tip, we will take reasonable steps to protect your identity. However, please understand that:

• Complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed if law enforcement compels disclosure through due legal process.
• We strongly recommend that you do not share identifiable personal information (e.g., your name or phone number) in the content of your tip unless necessary.
• We use secure communication channels, but no method of electronic transmission is 100% secure.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website may use "cookies" and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze traffic, and remember preferences. Cookies are small files stored on your device. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, some parts of the Service may not function properly without cookies. We do not use cookies for targeted advertising.

6. Third-Party Links & Social Media

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites (such as social media platforms, government portals, or news sources). This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of any third-party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any site you visit.

When you interact with us on social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram), those platforms have their own privacy policies governing your data. Please review them accordingly.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include secure servers, limited access to personal data within our team, and encrypted communication channels where feasible. However, no internet or digital transmission is completely secure. You share information at your own risk.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. News tips and submissions may be archived indefinitely for editorial, historical, or legal purposes. If you wish to request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal exceptions), please contact us using the details below.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of majority in India). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Your Rights (Under Indian Law & IT Act, 2000)

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal or journalistic exemptions.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw any consent you previously gave for data processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@dastakmedia.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe as required under applicable law.

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal obligations, or technological advancements. The "Last Updated" date at the bottom of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

• Email: support@dastakmedia.in
• WhatsApp Hotline: +919876543210
• Postal Address: Dastak Media, New Market Complex, Main Road, Kumardhubi, Dist. Dhanbad, Jharkhand - 828203, India

Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Your trust matters to us. Dastak Media is committed to responsible and transparent handling of your information.