Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

PardesDost (“PardesDost”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a mentorship platform that connects Pakistanis planning to study or work abroad with Pakistanis who have already made that journey. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect when you use PardesDost, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices and rights you have.

This policy applies to our website and the services offered through it. If you have any questions, contact us at pardesdost@gmail.com.

2. Information we collect

We collect only what we need to run the service and make good matches:

• Account information — your email address, and (if you sign up with Google) your name and profile picture as provided by Google.
• Profile information — details you choose to share so we can match you, such as your destination country, field of study or work, goals, background, and areas where you want or can offer guidance.
• Consultation and calendar data — bookings, appointment times, and, where you connect Google Calendar, the calendar events and Google Meet links we create for your consultations.
• Community activity — posts, comments, likes, polls, and events you create or take part in within paid communities.
• Payment information — records of wallet top-ups, consultation charges, and payouts. We do not store full card or bank numbers; card and banking details are handled by our payment providers, not by us.
• Technical information — basic log data such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited, used to keep the service secure and working.

3. How we use your information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account and keep it secure.
• Match people seeking guidance with suitable mentors, by hand.
• Schedule consultations and generate the video-call links for them.
• Process wallet top-ups, consultation payments, and payouts.
• Operate paid communities and their posts, events, and discussions.
• Respond to your requests and provide support.
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security issues, and comply with our legal obligations.

4. Google user data

If you choose to sign in with Google or connect Google Calendar, we access certain Google data with your permission:

• Basic profile — your name, email address, and profile picture, used to create and identify your account.
• Google Calendar — used only to create, view, and manage the calendar events and Google Meet links for consultations you book on PardesDost.

PardesDost’s use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements. We do not use Google data for advertising, and we do not sell it. You can disconnect Google access at any time from your Google Account’s security settings.

5. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only as follows:

• With people you are matched with — your profile details you choose to share become visible to a matched mentor or mentee. Your email address is never shown to other users.
• With service providers — trusted companies that help us run PardesDost, such as our hosting and database provider (Supabase), Google (sign-in, Calendar, and Meet), and payment providers. They may process your data only on our instructions.
• For legal reasons — where required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of PardesDost, our users, or the public.

6. Privacy by design

Trust is the core of PardesDost, so privacy is built into the product. Names and contact details stay hidden until both sides agree to connect — nobody gets access to your inbox simply because you asked for help. You decide who gets to reach you, and when.

7. Data retention

We keep your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. We may retain certain records for longer where required to comply with legal, tax, accounting, or fraud-prevention obligations. When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it.

8. Security

We use technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections, access controls, and two-factor authentication for administrative actions involving money. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your data and to respond promptly if an issue arises.

9. Your rights and choices

You can access and update most of your information from your profile at any time. You may also request that we correct or delete your personal information, or ask questions about how it is handled, by contacting us. To disconnect Google access, use your Google Account settings; to close your account, contact us.

10. Children

PardesDost is not intended for children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as PardesDost grows or as the law requires. When we make material changes, we will update the date below and, where appropriate, notify you. Your continued use of PardesDost after an update means you accept the revised policy.

12. Contact us

If you have questions or requests about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, email us at pardesdost@gmail.com.