Privacy Policy

Data controller and how to reach us

For privacy-related questions, rights requests, or complaints, please use the contact page with enough detail for us to verify your identity and route your request to the correct team. If you are making a rights request, include the email address you used with us (if any) and a concise description of what you want (access, correction, deletion, export, objection, etc.).

Categories of information we process

Information you provide directly

• Contact forms and news tips: name (if provided), email address, phone number (if provided), subject line, message body, and metadata about attachments you upload.
• Newsletter subscriptions: email address, subscription timestamp, language or cadence preferences, and delivery outcomes (for example bounces or unsubscribe events).

Information collected automatically

• Device and server logs: partial IP addresses, browser type, operating system, referring URL, request timestamps, and error logs—used for security monitoring, fraud prevention, reliability, and performance debugging.
• Cookies and similar technologies: session continuity, language preference, a first-party reader preference cookie for your selected edition, and—only if you opt in through the cookie notice—measurement tools as described in the "Analytics" section below.

Purposes and legal bases (plain-language summary)

We process personal information to publish and distribute journalism, respond to readers, maintain site security, understand aggregate product usage, and comply with applicable law. Depending on context, processing may rely on consent (for example newsletter opt-in), contract (providing a service you requested), legitimate interests (fraud prevention and limited analytics balanced against reader expectations), or legal obligation where required.

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and related rules may apply to certain processing. This policy is designed to align with common expectations under that framework, but statutory requirements can evolve; we will update this page when practices materially change.

Analytics, cookies, and your choices

If you opt in through our cookie notice (for example, “Accept all”), we load analytics to understand how readers use the site, including Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity. Those tools run only when you agree; they may process device-level information through cookies and similar technologies.

Cookie notice and the cookies we set

On your first visit you may see a cookie banner. To remember essentials such as your selected edition, we set a first-party cookie such as org_slug. If you allow analytics, we record that choice in hl_consent (roughly 13 months). Clearing site cookies in your browser removes those values—you may be asked to choose again the next time you visit. You can also use the banner choices to prefer essential-only use without loading analytics scripts.

You can restrict cookies through browser settings, private browsing modes, and—where available—vendor-specific opt-outs. Restricting cookies may degrade some features (for example saved preferences). Because the ecosystem changes frequently, the most durable control is usually your browser configuration combined with conscious choices about which emails you subscribe to.

Retention: how long we keep information

We retain information only as long as necessary for the purposes described above, unless a longer retention period is required by law, dispute resolution, or regulatory inquiry. Newsletters: subscription records are generally removed or de-identified after you unsubscribe, subject to technical backups rotating on a schedule. Logs: retained for a limited window for security and diagnostics, then rotated. Exact windows depend on infrastructure providers and change over time; the principle is minimization, not hoarding.

Sharing, processors, and “we do not sell personal data”

We do not sell your personal information to data brokers. We may share limited information with service providers who help us operate the site—such as hosting, email delivery, analytics, and security vendors—pursuant to contracts that require confidentiality and appropriate safeguards. Those providers process data on our instructions, not for their own independent marketing unless separately disclosed and consented to.

Cross-border processing

Our primary operations are in India, but some subprocessors may process data in other countries where they operate data centers. When cross-border transfers occur, we aim to rely on lawful transfer mechanisms and contractual protections appropriate to the risk. Ask through the contact page if you need more detail for a specific service.

Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures—including access controls, encryption in transit where appropriate, patching, and monitoring. No online service can guarantee perfect security. If you believe an account or channel associated with us has been compromised, notify us promptly with relevant indicators (timestamps, URLs, screenshots if safe to share).

Your rights and how we handle requests

Depending on applicable law and the nature of the data, you may have rights to access, correct, update, delete, or export certain personal information, and to object to certain processing. We may need to verify your request to prevent fraudulent deletion or disclosure. We will respond within a reasonable period consistent with legal requirements. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may have the right to escalate to a supervisory authority where the law provides that path.

Third-party links and embedded content

Our articles may link to third-party websites, social platforms, or embedded media. Those services have their own privacy policies and may collect information directly from your browser even if you do not click further. Please read their policies if you are concerned about tracking.

Children

Our services are not directed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have collected a child's information, contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete it where feasible.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect new features, legal requirements, or clarifications. When changes are material, we will adjust the “Last updated” date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, provide additional notice (for example via newsletter for subscribers).

International readers

If you access Haldia Live from outside India, your information may be processed in India and in other jurisdictions where our vendors operate. By using the site, you understand that cross-border transmission may be necessary to deliver the service.