1. Who We Are (Data Controller)

Halalknot is the data controller for the personal data processed through this website.

Business: Halalknot (sole trader)

Registered in: Ireland

Email: support@halalknot.com

Supervisory Authority: Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC)

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, you can contact us using the details above.

2. Who Can Use Halalknot

Halalknot is intended for adults aged 18 and over only. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If we become aware that an account belongs to someone under 18, we will delete it.

3. Personal Data We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal data when you create an account or use the Service:

3.1 Account & Profile Information

• Name
• Age / date of birth
• Gender
• Religion
• Ethnicity
• Marital status and other matrimonial preferences
• Profile information selected from dropdown fields

Religion and ethnicity are treated as special category data under GDPR and are processed only with your explicit consent for the purpose of matchmaking.

3.2 Profile Photo

• You may upload one profile photo
• You control whether your photo is visible or hidden to other users
• A blurred version of the photo may be generated for display purposes

3.3 Contact Information

• Email address
• Phone number

Your email address is not visible to other users unless: You send an interest, and the other user accepts that interest. Once both users mutually accept, both email addresses become visible to each other.

3.4 Verification Data (Selfie Verification)

To protect against fraud, impersonation, and misuse of the Service, selfie verification is mandatory.

We use a third-party identity verification provider (the "Verification Provider") to carry out selfie-based identity verification.

When you create an account, you may be asked to submit a live selfie image. The Verification Provider may use facial recognition technology to generate a unique biometric identifier based on facial geometry to compare your selfie with your profile photo.

Important points:

• Halalknot does not receive or store biometric identifiers
• The biometric identifier is generated and held only by the Verification Provider
• It is deleted by the Verification Provider once verification is completed
• Halalknot only receives the verification result and may have access to the selfie image for security and review purposes
• We do not use, disclose, or retain biometric information for any commercial purpose

If a selfie is identified as fraudulent (for example, an image of another person), it may be shared with the Verification Provider to improve fraud prevention systems. In such cases, the Verification Provider may retain the image for up to two (2) years, after which it is deleted.

The Verification Provider processes this data strictly on our behalf and in accordance with contractual and GDPR obligations.

3.5 Technical & Usage Data

• IP address
• Device and browser information
• Log-in timestamps
• Approximate location derived from IP address

3.6 Cookies and Analytics

We use:

• Essential cookies (login, security)
• Analytics cookies (e.g. Google Analytics, Vercel Analytics)

These help us operate and improve the Service. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

4. Data We Do NOT Collect

We do not collect or process the following categories of data:

• Political opinions
• Philosophical beliefs
• Health or medical data
• Sexual orientation or sex life data

5. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data to:

• Provide and operate the Halalknot matrimonial service
• Create and manage your account
• Enable sending and receiving interests
• Reveal contact details upon mutual acceptance
• Verify identity and prevent fraud
• Process subscriptions and payments
• Maintain platform security and integrity
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

Members cannot send direct messages. Communication is limited to sending and accepting interests.

6. Payments

Paid features are offered via two-month subscriptions.

Payments are processed securely by Stripe. Halalknot does not store your full payment card details. Transaction records and invoices are maintained via the Stripe dashboard.

Stripe processes your data in accordance with its own privacy policy.

7. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data.

We may share data with:

• Other users (only upon mutual interest acceptance)
• Service providers (hosting, verification, analytics, payments)
• Legal authorities where required by law

All third parties are contractually required to protect your data and comply with GDPR.

8. Manual Review and Moderation

For safety and quality purposes:

• Profile photos may be manually reviewed by administrators
• Verification selfies are handled by the Verification Provider
• Private communications are not reviewed, as direct messaging is not available

9. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as reasonably necessary.

Factors considered include:

• Nature and sensitivity of the data
• Risk of harm from unauthorised use
• Legal and regulatory requirements

Account Deletion

• You may delete your account at any time using the dashboard
• After account closure, personal data is deleted or anonymised after two (2) years
• We may retain anonymised transactional records and complaint records

In limited circumstances, we may retain data longer where required for:

• Legal claims or disputes
• Fraud or regulatory investigations
• Protection of users or third parties

10. International Data Transfers

Some service providers may process data outside the EU. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses are used.

11. Your GDPR Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate data
• Delete your data
• Restrict or object to processing
• Withdraw consent
• Request data portability
• Lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission

Requests can be made by contacting support@halalknot.com.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated via the website.

13. Contact

For privacy-related questions:

Email: support@halalknot.com