Privacy Policy | Book Local

Book Local (“us”, “we”, or “Book Local”, which also includes its affiliates) is the author and publisher of the internet resource www.booklocal.co.in (“Website”) on the world wide web as well as the software, services and applications provided by Book Local, including but not limited to the mobile application ‘Book Local’, and Book Local facilitates access to a wide variety of healthcare services, allowing users to schedule both physical and online appointments with doctors, healthcare providers, and specialists. The app offers a comprehensive database of healthcare professionals cross various specialties, allowing users to filter providers based on their needs and preferences. The platform’s goal is to streamline the healthcare experience, ensuring users can easily book appointments, manage their healthcare schedules, and receive high-quality care from trusted professionals (herein referred to as “Services”)

This privacy policy ("Privacy Policy") explains how we collect, use, share, disclose and protect Personal information about the Users of the Services, including the Practitioners (as defined in the Terms of Use, which may be accessed via the following weblink https://booklocal.co.in/privacy (the “Terms of Use”)), the End-Users (as defined in the Terms of Use), and the visitors of Website (jointly and severally referred to as “you” or “Users” in this Privacy Policy). We created this Privacy Policy to demonstrate our commitment to the protection of your privacy and your personal information. Your use of and access to the Services is subject to this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Privacy Policy shall have the meaning attributed to it in our Terms of Use.

By accessing and using this application, the user ("Data Principal") consents to Book Local’s collection, management, review, and processing of personal data as outlined below, in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Bill 2023.

User Consent and Consent Management

By using this application, the user consents to data processing by Book Local, the Data Fiduciary, in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 6, Sub-Clause 7 of the Data Protection Bill 2023. Users may manage or withdraw their consent at any time by contacting Book Local’s support team at support@booklocal.co.in

Book Local’s Responsibilities as a Data Fiduciary

As a Data Fiduciary, Book Local is responsible for compliance with all obligations under the Data Protection Bill 2023, irrespective of any other agreements or user responsibilities, per Chapter 2, Section 8, Sub-Clause 1. Book Local may engage a Data Processor solely for processing user data in order to deliver services, as specified by a valid contract, in compliance with Chapter 2, Section 8, Sub-Clause 2 of the Data Protection Bill 2023.

Data Integrity and Disclosure

By consenting to data processing, the user authorizes Book Local to maintain the integrity, accuracy, and consistency of personal data, especially where it impacts user decisions or is shared with other fiduciaries, as mandated in Chapter 2, Section 8, Sub-Clause 3 of the Data Protection Bill 2023.

Security and Safeguards

Book Local employs robust technical and organizational measures to protect user data, as outlined in Chapter 2, Section 8, Sub-Clause 5 of the Data Protection Bill 2023. By consenting to data processing, the user acknowledges Book Local’s commitment to safeguarding their data against unauthorized access or breaches.

Data Protection Officer Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding data processing, users may contact Book Local’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) or an authorized representative, in line with Chapter 2, Section 8, Sub-Clause 9 of the Data Protection Bill 2023.
Contact: Kiran Kovuru
Email: compliance@booklocal.co.in

Processing Data for Minors or Individuals with Guardians

Before processing data for users under guardianship, such as minors, Book Local will obtain verifiable consent from the parent or legal guardian, in accordance with Chapter 2, Section 9 of the Data Protection Bill 2023.

Data Transfer Restrictions

In compliance with Chapter 4, Section 16 of the Data Protection Bill 2023, the user consents to Book Local’s adherence to data transfer restrictions, including limitations on transferring data outside of India. Book Local will comply with all government notifications and enhanced data protection regulations as required by law.

By using this application, the user consents to the terms of this Data Handling Policy in accordance with the Data Protection Bill 2023 and acknowledges Book Local’s responsibility to manage and process personal data responsibly under these provisions.

BY USING THE SERVICES OR BY OTHERWISE GIVING US YOUR INFORMATION, YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED TO THE PRACTICES AND POLICIES OUTLINED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE PRIVACY POLICY. YOU HEREBY CONSENT TO OUR COLLECTION, USE AND SHARING, DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE, MODIFY, ADD OR DELETE PORTIONS OF THE TERMS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY, AT OUR SOLE DISCRETION, AT ANY TIME. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS PRIVACY POLICY AT ANY TIME, DO NOT USE ANY OF THE SERVICES OR GIVE US ANY OF YOUR INFORMATION. IF YOU USE THE SERVICES ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE (SUCH AS YOUR CHILD) OR AN ENTITY (SUCH AS YOUR EMPLOYER), YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU ARE AUTHORISED BY SUCH INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO (I) ACCEPT THIS PRIVACY POLICY ON SUCH INDIVIDUAL’S OR ENTITY’S BEHALF, AND (II) CONSENT ON BEHALF OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO OUR COLLECTION, USE AND DISCLOSURE OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL’S OR ENTITY’S INFORMATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY

1. WHY THIS PRIVACY POLICY?

This Privacy Policy is published in compliance with, inter alia:

Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000;
Regulation 4 of the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Information) Rules, 2011 (the “SPI Rules”);
Regulation 3(1) of the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011.
This Privacy Policy states the following:
The type of information collected from the Users, including Personal Information (as defined in paragraph 2 below) and Sensitive Personal Data or Information (as defined in paragraph 2 below) relating to an individual;
The purpose, means and modes of collection, usage, processing, retention and destruction of such information; and
How and to whom Book Local will disclose such information

2. COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Generally, some of the Services require us to know who you are so that we can best meet your needs. When you access the Services, or through any interaction with us via emails, telephone calls or other correspondence, we may ask you to voluntarily provide us with certain information that personally identifies you or could be used to personally identify you. You hereby consent to the collection of such information by Book Local. Without prejudice to the generality of the above, information collected by us from you may include (but is not limited to) the following

contact data (such as your email address and phone number);
demographic data (such as your gender, your date of birth and your pin code);
data regarding your usage of the services and history of the appointments made by or with you through the use of Services;
insurance data (such as your insurance carrier and insurance plan);
other information that you voluntarily choose to provide to us (such as information shared by you with us through emails or letters) including any images and other documents/files.
data shared by the Practitioners pertaining to the treatment availed by you.

The information collected from you by Book Local may constitute ‘personal information’ or ‘sensitive personal data or information’ under the SPI Rules

“Personal Information” is defined under the SPI Rules to mean any information that relates to a natural person, which, either directly or indirectly, in combination with other information available or likely to be available to a body corporate, is capable of identifying such person.

The SPI Rules further define “Sensitive Personal Data or Information” of a person to mean personal information about that person relating to:
passwords;
financial information such as bank accounts, credit and debit card details or other payment instrument details
physical, physiological and mental health condition;
sexual orientation;
medical records and history;
biometric information;
information received by body corporate under lawful contract or otherwise;
visitor details as provided at the time of registration or thereafter; and
call data records.

Book Local will be free to use, collect and disclose information that is freely available in the public domain without your consent.

3. PRIVACY STATEMENTS

User Acknowledgment and Consent
1. Acceptance of Privacy Terms
  By accessing and using the services, each User consents to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy herein. If a User disagrees with any part of this policy, they must discontinue using the services provided immediately.
2. Required InformationBook Local may require certain information from Users to facilitate access and use of the services. An indicative list of such required information is available in the annexed Schedule.
3. Voluntary Provision of Information
  All information shared by Users, including Personal Information or Sensitive Data, is provided voluntarily. Book Local may use such data, in accordance with the SPI Rules, for: (a) service delivery, (b) aggregated research, (c) commercial analytics, (d) booking and communication purposes, (e) customer support debugging, and (f) transaction completion. Book Local may also use information to: identify and contact Users, publish on the website, introduce new offerings, gather feedback, improve software utility, and facilitate payment processing through verified third-party providers.
4. Explicit Consent Requirement
  Use and disclosure of data categorized as Personal or Sensitive Information require User consent. By agreeing to this Privacy Policy, Users authorize such usage under applicable law.
5. Liability Disclaimer
  Book Local is not liable for content or information exchanged in services provided, and Users waive claims related to service participation or content.
6. Information Accuracy and Updates
  Users must ensure information accuracy. Should their personal details change, Users can update them through their account settings or by contacting Book Local. Book Local may restrict services for inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete information.
7. Account Deactivation and Data Retention
  Users may request account cancellation at support@Booklocal.co.in Book Local retains data as needed for service provision and may anonymize data post-cancellation for analytics.
8. Opt-Out of Non-Essential Communications
  Users wishing to opt-out of marketing or promotional messages may email support@booklocal.co.in
9. Billing Information Security
  Book Local securely handles payment details, transmitting data via encrypted payment gateways. Users are advised to exercise caution with internet technology.

4. Collection of Usage Data

Book Local automatically gathers information such as User IP address, device details, browsing patterns, and ISP, primarily for trend analysis and service enhancement.
Book Local uses cookies for technical, research, and user administration purposes. Users may adjust browser settings to disable cookies, though certain features may be limited as a result.
Unregistered users may schedule appointments by providing a name, age, email and phone number. To fully access features, Users must create accounts and submit required Personal Information.
Book Local is not responsible for the practices of third-party websites linked through its services. Users visit these sites at their own risk and are encouraged to review their privacy policies.
Book Local is not responsible for the practices of third-party websites linked through its services. Users visit these sites at their own risk and are encouraged to review their privacy policies.
Information shared by Practitioners may be used for commercial analysis, new product offerings, software improvement, and anonymized data analytics. Practitioners consent to this usage upon submitting their data to Book Local.
Practitioner data, submitted for account creation or sourced from public domains, may be displayed on Book Local’s website. Practitioners should review and update their information as necessary to ensure accuracy.
Book Local may list verified Practitioners who have not signed up for the service, based on their consent. Book Local strives for accuracy but is not liable for inaccuracies on such listings.

5. End-User Registration and Information Handling

Registration Process and Data Collection
Upon registration or application submission on this Website, End-Users may be required to provide certain information, including Personal Information or Sensitive Personal Data. End-Users should review this Privacy Policy thoroughly before submitting any personal details to Book Local. Those who disagree with this Privacy Policy must refrain from using or registering on Book Local.
Amendment and Access of Personal Information
If any personal data was submitted inadvertently, and the End-User does not consent to how their data is managed as outlined herein, they may access, modify, or delete such data using the available options on the Website or by contacting support@booklocal.co.in End-Users may request Book Local to confirm possession of their data or to delete it entirely.
Purpose of Personal Information
The Personal Information End-Users provide is used to help identify themselves within the system. Non-identifiable information, such as usage patterns, is collected for exclusive use by Book Local and may be shared or sold to third parties in an anonymized form for research, statistical, or business intelligence purposes.
Aggregated Data Usage Book Local reserves the right to use anonymized data, including demographics and health information, for the following: Enhancing software design and usability; Advancing research and development in new technologies; integrating findings into commercial products; Collaborating with third parties for analytics and business use.
Consent for Data Use by Partnered Providers
End-Users who engage with Practitioners or clinical establishments bearing the “Assured” badge consent to the sharing of relevant data, including medical records, with Book Local solely to ensure effective service delivery.
End-User Communication Preferences
End-User Communication Preferences
Book Local may communicate with End-Users through various means, including email, SMS, phone calls, and notifications on the Website. End-Users can update their contact preferences by accessing their account settings on www.booklocal.co.in/li>
Surveys and Promotional Activities
Book Local may conduct surveys to understand End-User preferences better. Participation is optional, and responses remain anonymous. Additionally, Book Local may host contests requiring demographic details to improve Services. Demographic information from registrations and surveys is utilized to customize Book Local Services to better suit End-User needs.
Data Confidentiality Obligations
All employees and data processors at Book Local, or associated with processing Sensitive Personal Data, must maintain the confidentiality of End-User data. Book Local has implemented security protocols and technologies per industry standards and applicable laws to ensure data security from collection to destruction.
Third-Party Data Transfers
If Book Local shares End-User data with third-party service providers or contractors, it is solely to provide the necessary services, such as website maintenance or processing payment instructions. Book Local ensures these third parties uphold similar data confidentiality standards.
Reorganization or Asset Sale
Should Book Local undergo reorganization or sell its assets, personal and other data provided by End-Users may be transferred to the acquiring entity. This entity will have the right to continue using such data as per this Privacy Policy.
Cookies and Temporary Data
Book Local does not collect Sensitive Personal Data from casual Website visitors. Visitors who disagree with any data policies are encouraged to leave the Website immediately. Casual visitors should utilize their browser's “clear cookies” feature to remove temporary cookies set by Book Local.
Transition from Casual Visitor to End-User
Casual visitors who willingly submit Personal Data (via email, post, or registration) will be classified as End-Users. Thus, all privacy and data handling policies herein will apply to them

6. Confidentiality, Privacy, and Security Measures

Book Local prioritizes safeguarding your Personal Information by storing it securely, both in electronic and, where necessary, physical form. We employ various security controls—managerial, technical, operational, and physical—to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of your data, aligning these with the type of data collected and our operational requirements.
Only Book Local employees, agents, and select third parties have access to your information on a strict need-to-know basis, and our employees are bound by stringent confidentiality agreements to maintain data privacy.
Your account security is paramount, and no Book Local administrator will have access to your password. It is your responsibility to guard against unauthorized access to your login credentials, computer, and mobile devices. Always log out of your account after each session.
Should you suspect any unauthorized activity on your account, contact Book Local immediately at support@booklocal.co.in Unauthorized access caused by inadequate password security may lead to losses, for which you indemnify Book Local.e. Book Local’s services assist doctors and patients in organizing and accessing personal records. In cases where such information is required by authorities or by doctors and patients as per their request, Book Local may retain and share such records accordingly.
Book Local may grant "Assured" badges to specific practitioners, which allows for the secure sharing of limited treatment and medical records to enhance service delivery. Your consent to such information-sharing is implied when you use services from "Assured" practitioners.
While Book Local works with partners and third parties to provide enhanced services, we cannot assume responsibility for breaches of confidentiality, security, or privacy by these parties beyond our agreements. Book Local also disclaims liability for breaches arising from external events beyond our control, such as hacking, unauthorized data access, device malfunctions, or poor internet service quality.

7. Updates to Privacy Policy

Book Local reserves the right to modify its Privacy Policy with or without prior notice. Substantial changes in data handling practices will be communicated via website notices or email, allowing you to review and, if necessary, terminate your account if you disagree with the new terms. Continued use of our services post-update implies consent to the revised terms.

Book Local encourages parental oversight of minor children's internet use and suggests parental control tools to help prevent minors from sharing personal data online. Although our platform is not intended for minors, Book Local respects their privacy and handles any accidental data collection with sensitivity.

8. Acceptance and Acknowledgment of Policy

By using Book Local’s website, app and services, you confirm your acceptance of this Privacy Policy and consent to Book Local’s data collection, use, and sharing practices as described. This Policy is an integral part of our Terms of Use, to which you also agree upon service usage.

9. Inquiries and Grievances

For any concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or data use practices, please reach out to our Data Protection Officer:
Name: Kiran Kovuru
Address: Email: support@booklocal.co.in