Privacy policy

1. Introduction

AltSugar™ (hereinafter referred to as "we," "us," "our," or "the Company") is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of every individual who visits our website at www.altsugar.in (the "Website"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and what rights you have in relation to your personal data.

This Privacy Policy is published in compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 ("IT Act"), the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 ("SPDI Rules"), and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDPA"), as applicable and to the extent notified and enforced by the Government of India.

By accessing or using our Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Policy, please discontinue use of the Website immediately.

2. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• All visitors, users, and business representatives who access the Website.
• Personal data collected through the Website's contact forms, inquiry forms, WhatsApp chat widget, email correspondence, and any other data collection mechanism on the Website.
• Data collected automatically through cookies, analytics tools (including Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics), and server logs.

This Policy does not apply to third-party websites, platforms, or services linked from our Website, including but not limited to WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those platforms independently.

3. Definitions

• "Personal Data" means any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data, as defined under the DPDPA, 2023, and includes "personal information" as defined under the IT Act and SPDI Rules.
• "Data Principal" means the individual to whom the Personal Data relates (referred to as "you" or "user" in this Policy).
• "Data Fiduciary" means AltSugar™, which determines the purpose and means of processing of Personal Data.
• "Processing" means any operation performed on Personal Data, including collection, storage, use, disclosure, sharing, erasure, or destruction.

4. Information We Collect

4.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with our Website through inquiry forms, the contact page, or the WhatsApp chat widget, we may collect:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number / WhatsApp number
• Company / Organisation name
• Designation / Job title
• Nature of inquiry (product interest, bulk order details, quantity requirements)
• Any additional information you voluntarily provide in the message or chat

4.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies and analytics tools:

• IP address (anonymised where possible)
• Browser type, version, and language
• Operating system and device type
• Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, and navigation path
• Referring URL (the website you came from)
• Date and time of access

We use Google Tag Manager (GTM) and Google Analytics to collect and analyse this data. Google's privacy policy governs how Google processes this data: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.3 Cookies

Our Website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to enhance your browsing experience and analyse Website traffic. The types of cookies we use include:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic Website functionality (e.g., session management).
• Analytics Cookies: Used via Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with the Website.
• Third-Party Cookies: Set by services embedded on our Website such as Google Tag Manager, WhatsApp widget, and social media plugins.

You may manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect certain features of the Website.

5. Purpose of Data Collection

We collect and process your Personal Data for the following purposes:

• To respond to your business inquiries regarding our products, pricing, bulk orders, and services.
• To communicate with you via email, phone, or WhatsApp regarding your inquiry or order.
• To provide product specifications, samples, quotations, and related documentation.
• To improve and optimise the Website's content, functionality, and user experience.
• To analyse Website traffic and usage patterns for internal business purposes.
• To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
• To protect the rights, property, and safety of the Company, its customers, and others.

We do not use your Personal Data for automated decision-making or profiling.

6. Legal Basis for Processing

Under the DPDPA, 2023 and the IT Act, 2000, we process your Personal Data on the following lawful bases:

• Consent: When you submit an inquiry form, initiate a WhatsApp chat, or provide your details voluntarily, you consent to our collection and use of that data for the stated purposes.
• Legitimate Interest: We may process data for our legitimate business interests, such as responding to inquiries and improving our services, provided it does not override your rights.
• Legal Obligation: We may process data where required to comply with applicable Indian laws, tax regulations, or regulatory requirements.

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We value your trust. We do not sell, rent, or trade your Personal Data to any third party for marketing or commercial purposes. We may share your data in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Website, processing inquiries, or providing IT and hosting services — strictly on a need-to-know basis and under contractual confidentiality obligations. This includes web hosting providers and analytics services.
• WhatsApp / Meta: When you use our WhatsApp chat widget, your conversation is facilitated through WhatsApp (a Meta product). Data shared on WhatsApp is governed by WhatsApp's own Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
• Legal Requirements: Where required by law, court order, government authority, or regulatory body under applicable Indian law, including the IT Act, DPDPA, or any directive from a competent authority.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganisation, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred as part of the business transaction, subject to continued adherence to this Privacy Policy.

8. Data Retention

We retain your Personal Data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected:

• Business Inquiry Data: Retained for up to 3 (three) years from the date of last interaction, or as long as a business relationship exists.
• Website Analytics Data: Retained in anonymised or aggregated form as per Google Analytics' data retention settings (default: 14 months).
• Cookies: Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies expire as per their individual settings, typically within 12–24 months.

Upon expiry of the retention period, your data will be securely deleted or irreversibly anonymised. You may request earlier deletion by contacting us (see Section 10).

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable security practices and procedures, as mandated under Rule 8 of the SPDI Rules, to protect your Personal Data from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmitted between your browser and our Website.
• Access controls restricting data access to authorised personnel only.
• Secure hosting infrastructure with reputable service providers.
• Regular review and update of security practices.

While we take all commercially reasonable steps to protect your data, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights as a Data Principal

Under the DPDPA, 2023 and applicable Indian law, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: You may request confirmation of whether we process your Personal Data and obtain a summary of such data.
• Right to Correction: You may request correction or updating of inaccurate or incomplete Personal Data.
• Right to Erasure: You may request deletion of your Personal Data, subject to legal retention requirements and legitimate business interests.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw your consent to data processing at any time. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal.
• Right to Grievance Redressal: You have the right to file a complaint with our Grievance Officer or, if unresolved, with the Data Protection Board of India established under the DPDPA.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@altsugar.in with the subject line "Privacy Request – [Your Name]." We will respond within 30 days.

11. Grievance Officer

In accordance with Rule 5(9) of the SPDI Rules and the DPDPA, 2023, the details of the Grievance Officer are:

• Name: Sachin Kumar
• Designation: Founder & Grievance Officer
• Organisation: AltSugar™
• Email: hello@altsugar.in
• Phone: +91 95608 64655
• Address: Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301, India

The Grievance Officer shall acknowledge your complaint within 24 hours and resolve it within 30 days from the date of receipt.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Website contains links to third-party platforms including but not limited to:

• WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc.)
• LinkedIn (Microsoft Corporation)
• Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.)
• Instagram (Meta Platforms, Inc.)

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or data handling of these third-party platforms. We strongly recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies before sharing any personal data with them.

13. Children's Privacy

Our Website and services are intended for business professionals and are not directed at individuals under the age of 18 years. We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a minor, we will take immediate steps to delete such data.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date." We encourage you to review this Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of India, including but not limited to the Information Technology Act, 2000, the SPDI Rules, 2011, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Noida / Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India.

16. Contact Us

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

AltSugar™

• Email: hello@altsugar.in
• Phone: +91 95608 64655
• Address: Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301, India
• Website: https://www.altsugar.in