Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are and Scope

Aqd ("we", "us", "our") operates the Aqd matrimonial website and mobile applications and is the data controller responsible for your personal data. We are based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This Policy applies to all users of our website, apps, APIs, and related services (the "Services") and covers data processed in the course of providing them. We are committed to processing personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

2. Definitions

• Personal data — information that identifies or relates to an identifiable person.
• Sensitive data — data such as religious beliefs and practice, and photographs, which we process to provide matrimonial matching.
• Processing — any operation performed on personal data (collection, storage, use, sharing, deletion, etc.).
• Managed Profile — a profile a parent, sibling, or relative administers on behalf of an eligible candidate with their consent.

3. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of data:

• Identity & profile: name, gender, date of birth, marital status, height, profile photos.
• Contact: email address, phone number, region/location and home district.
• Sensitive matrimonial data: religion, religious practice and faith practices, dietary preferences, and lifestyle information you choose to share.
• Background & preferences: education, career, income range, family details, personality traits, assets, and partner preferences.
• Account & authentication: credentials, verification status, and login/authentication metadata.
• Communications: messages, message requests, and interaction metadata on the platform.
• Technical: IP address, device and app information, approximate location, and diagnostic logs.
• Trust & safety: verification, reports, and moderation-related information.

4. Lawful Basis and Purpose

We process personal data to:

• Provide account functionality and matchmaking services (performance of a contract).
• Enable profile discovery, interactions, and secure communication.
• Operate AI-assisted compatibility and trust features.
• Prevent fraud, abuse, policy violations, and security incidents (legitimate interests).
• Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.
• Improve product reliability, safety, and user experience.

Sensitive data (such as religious practice and photos) is processed on the basis of your explicit consent, given when you provide it for the purpose of matrimonial matching. You may withdraw consent at any time (Section 11), though doing so may limit or end your ability to use the Services.

5. Profile Visibility and Other Users

Aqd is inherently social: the profile information you provide is shown to other Users to enable matchmaking. You control aspects of visibility through in-app privacy settings. Please share only what you are comfortable making visible to potential matches, and remember that other Users may retain information you have shared with them (for example, in chats) outside our control.

6. AI and Automated Processing

We use AI and automated systems to rank compatibility, detect suspicious behaviour, and prioritise safer interactions. These systems are monitored and supplemented by human review where appropriate. Automated outcomes are not guaranteed and may be revised through moderation workflows. We do not make solely automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects on you without a means of human review.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

On our website we use cookies and similar technologies for authentication, session management, security, analytics, and feature optimisation. You may control cookie preferences through your browser, though disabling essential cookies may limit functionality. Our mobile apps use device storage and identifiers for equivalent purposes.

8. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share data with:

• Service providers / processors: hosting, cloud storage, messaging/SMS, push notifications, and analytics vendors, bound by confidentiality and security obligations and permitted to use data only on our instructions.
• Other Users, as part of matchmaking and the visibility settings described above.
• Trust and safety partners for fraud prevention and abuse control.
• Regulatory, law enforcement, or judicial authorities where required by law.
• Corporate successors in a merger, acquisition, or restructuring.

We do not sell your personal data.

9. International Processing

Some of our service providers may process data outside Bangladesh. Where this happens, we take reasonable contractual, technical, and organisational safeguards to maintain an equivalent standard of protection for your data.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to provide the Services and to meet legal, compliance, security, and dispute-resolution needs. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymise your personal data within a reasonable period, typically within 90 days, except where longer retention is required by law or to resolve disputes and enforce our agreements. Backups are purged on a rolling schedule.

11. Your Rights and Choices

Subject to applicable law, you may request to:

• Access your personal data and receive a copy.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Delete your data, subject to lawful retention requirements.
• Restrict or object to certain processing activities.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Deactivate or delete your account directly in the app's settings.

To exercise these rights, use the in-app controls or contact us (Section 14). We aim to respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

12. Security and Breach Notification

We employ layered technical and organisational controls, including encryption in transit, access governance, monitoring, and incident-response processes. No platform is absolutely secure, but we work continuously to reduce risk. In the event of a personal-data breach likely to affect you, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities without undue delay and in accordance with applicable law.

13. Children and Minors

Aqd is intended only for adults who are legally eligible to marry (18+). It is not directed at children. Accounts identified as belonging to minors or otherwise ineligible persons may be suspended or terminated, and associated data removed subject to legal obligations.

14. Contact and Data Protection Requests

For privacy requests, complaints, or data-protection inquiries, contact our Data Protection contact:
Aqd Privacy Office
Email: privacy@aqd.bd
Grievance: grievance@aqd.bd
Address: Dhaka, Bangladesh

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be notified through in-app notices, website publication, or email where appropriate. Continued use after updates take effect constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Policy.