eCourtsIndia

Privacy Policy

eCourtsIndia ("we", "us", "our") provides a legal information platform and related services via ecourtsindia.com (the "Site") and any associated mobile applications (collectively, the "Services"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use and protect it, and what rights you have in relation to it.

This policy is designed to comply with applicable Indian laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA). By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

a) Information You Provide to Us

  • Account & Contact Data: Your name, email address, phone number, password, and other details you provide when creating an account, subscribing to newsletters, or contacting us for support.
  • Professional Information: Details about your profession or areas of interest (e.g., lawyer, student) to help us personalize your experience.
  • Payment Data: Billing details when you subscribe to our services. This is processed securely by our third-party payment gateways; we do not store your full card numbers.
  • User Communications: Feedback, survey responses, and any information you send when you contact our support team.

b) Information Collected Automatically

  • Usage & Device Data: Your IP address, browser type and version, device identifiers, operating system, pages viewed, search queries, timestamps, and referring URLs.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to manage sessions, remember your preferences, and perform analytics. You can control cookies via your browser settings, but some features may not function correctly without them.

c) Information from Public Sources

  • Public Legal Materials: As a legal information service, we collect and index judgments, orders, statutes, and related metadata sourced from official court websites and other public records. This data is republished to enhance public access to the law.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the data we collect for the following purposes:

  • Provide and Improve Services: To operate, maintain, and enhance our Services, including search functionality, alerts, and personalization.
  • Account Management & Security: To authenticate users, manage accounts, prevent fraud and abuse, and maintain security logs.
  • Communications: To send you service-related messages, updates, and—with your consent—marketing communications. You can opt-out of marketing emails at any time.
  • Analytics and Research: To understand usage patterns and improve our platform. Where possible, this data is aggregated and de-identified.
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, enforce our terms of service, and protect the rights, safety, and integrity of our users and the public record.

3. Legal Bases for Processing

We process your personal data based on one or more of the following legal bases:

  • Your Consent: For specific purposes like sending marketing communications.
  • Performance of a Contract: To provide the Services you have subscribed to.
  • Legitimate Interests: To operate and secure our Services, conduct analytics, and protect our legal rights.
  • Compliance with Law: When we are required to process data to meet a legal or regulatory obligation.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data in these limited situations:

  • Service Providers: With trusted vendors who support our operations (e.g., hosting, security, payment processing, analytics). They are contractually bound to protect your data.
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, regulation, court order, or to respond to a valid legal request.
  • Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets. We will notify you if your data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
  • With Your Consent: For any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection.

5. Public Legal Information and Takedown Requests

Much of the content on our Services consists of public documents (e.g., court judgments, orders) obtained from official sources. These records may contain personal names or other information as part of the judicial record.

We evaluate requests to restrict, anonymize, or de-index specific pages by balancing an individual's privacy interests against the public's interest in open justice and access to law. If your personal data appears in a public document on our site and you believe access should be limited, please email our Grievance Officer with the URL and a detailed reason for your request.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Under India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and other applicable laws, you have the right to:

  • Access and Correct: Request access to your personal data and ask us to correct any inaccuracies.
  • Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent for data processing at any time.
  • Deletion: Request the erasure of your personal data, subject to our legal obligations. Please note that for public judicial records, complete erasure may not be possible, but we will consider proportionate measures like de-indexing from search results.
  • Grievance Redressal: Lodge a complaint with our Grievance Officer regarding the processing of your data.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at the email provided below.

7. Data Security and Retention

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures, such as encryption and access controls, to protect your data. However, no method is 100% secure.

We retain your personal data for as long as needed to provide our Services and comply with legal obligations. Public legal documents may be retained indefinitely as part of the public record.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have, please contact us immediately.

9. Mobile Apps & Google Play Disclosure

Our mobile applications collect the data categories described above to enable core features (e.g., search, saved items), diagnostics, and security. We keep this Privacy Policy consistent with the Data safety section in our Google Play Store listing and will update both if our practices change.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by a new "Effective date". We will notify you of material changes via email or a notice on our Site.

11. Grievance Officer (In compliance with Indian Law)

For any complaints, inquiries, or to exercise your rights, please contact our Grievance Officer:

Email: [email protected]
Subject line must include: "Grievance – Privacy"
We aim to acknowledge grievances promptly and resolve them within the timeframes stipulated by law.

This policy is governed by the laws of India. For any questions, please contact us at [email protected].