Privacy Policy

Effective Date: [To be inserted on publication] | Last Reviewed: 1 July 2026

This document has been prepared with reference to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and general Indian consumer protection principles as understood at the time of drafting. It is provided to assist HappinessCue's operations and has been prepared by an AI system, not a licensed advocate. It should be reviewed and formally approved by a qualified Indian lawyer before public launch, and periodically thereafter as law and platform features evolve.

1. Who We Are

HappinessCue is operated by CareerBricks Learning Solutions ("CareerBricks", "we", "us", or "our"), a business operating the HappinessCue platform, which connects individuals seeking guidance ("Clients") with independent subject-matter experts ("Experts") across career, academic, emotional wellness, and holistic development areas.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect through the HappinessCue website and platform, why we collect it, how we use and protect it, and the rights available to you under applicable Indian law, principally the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (together, "DPDP Law"), and the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder.

2. Personal Data We Collect

2.1 Information you give us directly

Account information: name, email address, mobile number, password (stored in encrypted/hashed form, never in plain text), city, state, preferred language(s).
Client profile information: date of birth, gender, timezone, areas of interest, communication and notification preferences.
Expert profile and verification information: professional bio, tagline, category and subjects of expertise, qualifications, certifications, years of experience, session pricing, government-issued ID proof, professional certificates, and a profile photograph, submitted for verification purposes during registration.
Booking and session information: session bookings, scheduled times, session type (video/audio), cancellations, reschedules, and — where applicable — session notes prepared by an Expert following a completed session.
Reviews and ratings: feedback and star ratings submitted by Clients about Experts, and private conduct ratings submitted by Experts about Clients (see Section 5 below regarding the private nature of the latter).
Communications: any correspondence you send us, including support tickets, grievances, and messages to our team.
Payment-related information: once payment processing is enabled on the platform, transaction and billing information will be processed through a licensed third-party payment gateway; HappinessCue does not store full card or bank account credentials on its own servers.

2.2 Information collected automatically

Technical and log data: IP address, browser type, device information, and platform usage logs, collected for security, fraud-prevention, and service-improvement purposes.
Session participation logs: for live sessions conducted through the platform, we record join time, leave time, and session duration for each participant, for the purposes of session verification, dispute resolution, and service quality.

2.3 Age Verification and Guardian Consent

[Interim language — pending final legal review]

HappinessCue requires users to meet a minimum age to register directly. Where a prospective user is below this age, an account may instead be created and managed by a parent or legal guardian on the minor's behalf. In such cases, the platform may request the guardian to confirm their consent and, where required, to submit identity or consent documentation for administrative review. Access is granted only after this review is complete. HappinessCue may also apply a maximum age threshold for registration, at its discretion. These thresholds and requirements may be updated by HappinessCue from time to time.

3. Why We Collect and Use Your Data

We process personal data only for specific, stated purposes, consistent with the DPDP Law's requirement that data collection be limited to what is necessary for a clearly identified purpose:

To create and manage your account, and to verify Expert applicants before they are approved to appear on the platform.
To enable booking, scheduling, and delivery of sessions between Clients and Experts.
To send essential service communications: booking confirmations, reminders, verification codes (by email and SMS), and account-related notices.
To operate the reviews and ratings system, which supports trust and accountability between Clients and Experts.
To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Use.
To comply with applicable law, including responding to lawful requests from government or law enforcement authorities.
With your separate, specific consent, to send optional marketing or promotional communications, and to power personalised expert recommendations — this use is optional and you may withdraw consent for it at any time without affecting your ability to use core platform features.

4. How We Share Your Data

We do not sell your personal data. We share personal data only in the following circumstances:

With the other party to a booking — for example, an Expert receives the Client's name and relevant booking details necessary to conduct the session, and vice versa.
With service providers who process data on our behalf and under contract, including our SMS gateway provider (for OTP and notification delivery), our email service provider, and — once enabled — our payment gateway provider. These providers are contractually restricted from using your data for any purpose other than providing services to HappinessCue.
With government or regulatory authorities, where required by applicable law or a valid legal process.
In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, subject to the acquiring entity honouring the commitments in this Privacy Policy.

5. Special Note on Expert Ratings of Clients

As part of our trust and quality framework, Experts are asked to privately rate certain aspects of a Client's conduct following a completed session (for example, punctuality and preparedness). These private ratings are never shown to the Client, to other Experts, or to any third party. They are used internally by HappinessCue for account-integrity and quality-assurance purposes only.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Policy, or as required by applicable law. Consistent with the DPDP Rules, 2025, we retain associated processing logs for a minimum of one year from the date of processing, for security and audit purposes. Where you request deletion of your account (see our Account Deletion & Data Retention Policy), we will erase or anonymise your personal data within the timelines described there, except where retention is required by law or to resolve an open dispute, complaint, or legal claim.

7. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law and its phased implementation, you have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
Withdraw consent for any processing that is based on consent, at any time, as easily as you gave it.
Request erasure of your personal data, subject to the exceptions described in Section 6.
Nominate another individual to exercise your rights on your behalf in the event of your death or incapacity, once this mechanism is operationalised under the DPDP Rules.
Lodge a grievance with us (see Section 9) and, if unsatisfied with our response, approach the Data Protection Board of India.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect your personal data, including encrypted password storage, access controls, and secure infrastructure. No online platform can guarantee absolute security; we commit to notifying affected users and the relevant authorities of any personal data breach in accordance with applicable law.

9. Grievance Officer

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and the DPDP Law, the Grievance Officer for HappinessCue is:

Mr. Manish Agrawal
Email: admin@careerbricks.com
Phone: +91 98103 14613

We will acknowledge grievances within 24 hours of receipt and endeavour to resolve them within the timelines prescribed by applicable law.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or in applicable law. Material changes will be notified to registered users through the platform or by email. Continued use of HappinessCue after such notice constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

11. Contact Us

For general privacy queries, write to support@happinesscue.com. For formal grievances, contact our Grievance Officer using the details in Section 9.

For privacy-related requests, concerns, complaints, or data-related queries: support@happinesscue.com. For formal grievances, contact our Grievance Officer: Mr. Manish Agrawal, admin@careerbricks.com, +91 98103 14613.