Welcome to Dostiya — India’s trusted social media app where users connect, share, and express freely. Your privacy and control over personal data are our top priorities. This User Data Deletion Policy explains how you can delete, manage, or request removal of your information from the Dostiya platform, in line with Indian privacy standards and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023.

1. Our commitment to data privacy

At Dostiya, we believe that every user should have full control over their personal information. Whether you joined Dostiya to connect with friends, build a community, or promote your business, you always have the right to delete your account and associated data anytime. We ensure complete transparency, easy accessibility, and compliance with Indian data protection laws.

2. What “User Data Deletion” means

Deleting your data means permanently removing your personal information, including profile details, photos, messages, comments, likes, and posts, from Dostiya’s active databases. Once deleted, your profile becomes inaccessible to other users, and your account cannot be reactivated using the same credentials.

However, some data may be temporarily retained for legitimate purposes such as dispute resolution, fraud prevention, or legal compliance — as permitted under the DPDP Act 2023 and Information Technology Act, 2000.

3. Data types eligible for deletion

  • Profile details (name, photo, bio, contact information)
  • Posts, photos, videos, and comments shared on Dostiya
  • Messages and chats (deleted from both sender and receiver after request)
  • Login credentials, cookies, and device information
  • Ad preferences and interaction history

Non-personal, anonymized, or aggregated data used for analytics and service improvement may be retained but cannot be linked to any identifiable user.

4. How to delete your Dostiya account

You can easily delete your account through our app or web interface:

  • Step 1: Go to your profile and open Settings → Privacy & Security.
  • Step 2: Select Delete My Account and confirm your decision.
  • Step 3: Enter your password or OTP to verify ownership.
  • Step 4: Your data deletion request will be processed within 7 business days.
Alternatively, you can email us at privacy@dostiya.com with the subject “Data Deletion Request.”

5. Account deactivation vs. permanent deletion

Sometimes, users prefer to take a break without losing their memories. Dostiya offers two options:

  • Deactivate Account: Temporarily hides your profile and posts. You can log back in anytime to reactivate.
  • Delete Account: Permanently removes all your data from our systems and cannot be undone.

6. Timeframe and process of deletion

Once we receive your verified request, the deletion process generally follows these stages:

  • Verification (1–2 days): Confirming the identity of the requester.
  • Processing (3–5 days): Removing all identifiable information from active systems.
  • Finalization (7 days): Erasing residual data from backups or caches.

We notify users by email once deletion is complete.

7. Retention for legal or safety reasons

Under Indian law, we may retain limited information in certain cases such as:

  • To comply with lawful investigations or court orders
  • To prevent fraud, spam, or security breaches
  • To resolve account disputes or chargebacks

This retention is temporary and handled securely with encryption.

8. Data stored on third-party services

Dostiya may use trusted third-party services for analytics, ads, or cloud hosting. When your data is deleted from Dostiya, we also send deletion requests to these partners to ensure full compliance.

9. Data portability before deletion

Before deleting your account, you can download a copy of your data. Go to Settings → Your Information → Download Data to get your photos, messages, and posts in a secure ZIP file format. This ensures transparency and your digital rights under the DPDP Act 2023.

10. Child and teen user data

We take additional care for users under 18. Parents or guardians can contact privacy@dostiya.com to request deletion of a minor’s account. Content reported as violating child protection standards is promptly reviewed and removed.

11. Verification and authentication

To prevent misuse, we only act on data deletion requests verified through registered contact details (email, mobile OTP). Requests from unverified sources are not processed.

12. Re-registering after deletion

After permanent deletion, your username and email may become available for reuse after 60 days. However, your previous data cannot be restored. This helps maintain system integrity and fairness for all users.

13. Data protection and encryption

All user information on Dostiya is protected using 256-bit SSL encryption. Our servers are located in compliance with Indian data localization guidelines, ensuring that your data remains secure within the country.

14. Changes to this policy

We may revise this User Data Deletion Policy periodically to align with updates in the DPDP Act 2023 or changes in our platform. Significant updates will be communicated via app notifications or email.

15. Contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO)

For queries, concerns, or deletion requests, contact:

By using Dostiya, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. We are committed to making your digital experience safe, transparent, and respectful of your rights as an Indian user.