ScribeMatch – Privacy & Cookie Policy

1. Overview

ScribeMatch ("we", "us", "our") - a product of Atypical Advantage - values your trust and is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy & Cookie Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information when you access our mobile application and any associated web portals (collectively, the "Platform").

This Policy is published in compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, IT (Amendment) Act 2008, IT (Reasonable Security Practices) Rules 2011, the Consumer Protection Act 2019, and all applicable laws of India.

By downloading, registering on, or using ScribeMatch, you consent to this Policy together with our Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Platform.

2. Scope & Applicability

This Privacy Policy applies to all individuals who interact with the ScribeMatch Platform, including:

• Users (Service Seekers) — individuals who request writing assistance through the app
• Scribers (Service Providers) — community-verified volunteers who fulfil writing requests
• Administrators — Atypical Advantage team members who manage platform operations

This Policy applies to data collected through the mobile application (Android & iOS), the admin web portal, and any automated or manual onboarding channels.

3. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide a safe, reliable, and accessible service. The categories of data we collect are:

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

• Full name
• Mobile number and/or email address
• Profile photo (optional)
• Location (city/area)

SERVICE-RELATED DATA

• Scriber skills and availability status
• Request details and descriptions
• Engagement history and status logs
• In-app chat messages (audit-stored)

SENSITIVE PERSONAL DATA

• Disability or accessibility-related information (voluntary, collected only to improve service delivery)

TECHNICAL & DEVICE DATA

• Device type, OS, and app version
• IP address and approximate location
• Push notification tokens
• Error logs and crash reports

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

The ScribeMatch web admin portal uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure functionality, monitor performance, and improve user experience.

The ScribeMatch mobile application does not use browser cookies. It uses device-level tokens (e.g. Firebase Cloud Messaging tokens) solely for push notifications. You may disable notifications at any time in your device settings.

4. How We Use Your Data

Your data is used strictly to operate and improve the ScribeMatch platform. Specific uses include:

• Registering and verifying your account (User, Scriber, or Admin)
• Enabling scriber discovery and request matching based on location and availability
• Facilitating in-app communication between Users and Scribers
• Storing chat logs for safety, audit, and dispute resolution purposes
• Sending push and in-app notifications for request updates, acceptances, and cancellations
• Monitoring platform activity to prevent misuse, fraud, and safety violations
• Providing admin tools for community verification and moderation
• Improving application performance through anonymised analytics
• Complying with applicable legal obligations

We do not use your data for advertising, automated profiling, or any purpose unrelated to the delivery of our service.

5. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Data may be shared only in the following limited circumstances:

• Authorised Technology Partners: Cloud infrastructure providers (AWS), database services (PostgreSQL), real-time messaging (Firebase), and notification services (FCM)
• Platform Administrators: Atypical Advantage team members who need access to verify users, review moderation reports, or resolve disputes
• Legal & Regulatory Authorities: When required by a court order, government directive, or applicable law
• Safety Emergencies: If we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to protect the safety or rights of any person

Chat messages between Users and Scribers are stored for audit purposes and are accessible only by authorised administrators. They are never shared with third parties outside the above categories.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights with respect to your personal data held on ScribeMatch:

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data:

• End-to-end encryption for data in transit (TLS/HTTPS)
• Encrypted storage for sensitive data at rest
• Role-based access controls — admin, scriber, and user data are strictly separated
• Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits
• Hosted on AWS with secure cloud object storage and load-balanced infrastructure
• Audit logging for all administrative actions on the platform

While we apply robust security practices, no system is entirely immune to risk. Users are advised to keep their OTP confidential, log out after each session, and report any suspicious activity to us immediately.

8. Children's Privacy

ScribeMatch is designed for use by individuals aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors (persons under 18 years of age).

• If a minor wishes to use the platform, they must do so under the direct supervision and with the explicit consent of a parent or guardian
• The parent or guardian assumes full responsibility for the minor's use of the platform
• If we become aware that personal data has been collected from a minor without appropriate consent, we will promptly delete that data

9. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law, technology, or our service practices.

10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

This Privacy & Cookie Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of India.

Any disputes arising from or relating to this Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy & Cookie Policy or the handling of your personal data, please reach out to us at product@atypicaladvantage.in