Who We Are
AISTIV Private Limited builds and operates NearConnect — a proximity-based mobile application using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to help adults discover and connect with other NearConnect users who are physically nearby, for personal and professional purposes.
NearConnect is a purely digital service. We do not sell or ship physical goods. The app is available on Android (Google Play Store) and iOS (Apple App Store). Premium features are unlocked via in-app subscription.
What We Offer
- Personal Networking — Discover nearby people for social connections
- Professional Networking — Exchange professional profiles with people near you in real time
- Mutual-Consent Matching — Contact details are shared only when both users mutually like each other
- BLE Proximity Detection — No GPS tracking; discovery uses Bluetooth Low Energy only
- In-App Messaging — Communicate with matched users within the app
- Premium Subscriptions — Optional paid plans with enhanced features
Privacy Policy
Version 1.0 · Effective Date: May 29, 2025
AISTIV Private Limited ("we", "us", "our") operates the NearConnect app. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal data. It complies with India's DPDP Act 2023, EU GDPR, UK GDPR, and applicable US state privacy laws.
DPO / Grievance Officer: legal@nearconnect.app · Privacy: privacy@nearconnect.app
Information We Collect
Profile information you provide: Full name, city of residence, profession, designation, company name, personal and work email, Instagram handle, LinkedIn URL, phone number, profile photo (optional), and connection mode preference.
Automatically collected: Device identifiers, app usage data, IP address (for region/security), subscription and transaction records, push notification tokens.
Bluetooth (BLE) data: In Active Mode, your device broadcasts an anonymous BLE signal detectable by nearby users. In Passive Mode, you scan without broadcasting. BLE data is processed transiently on-device and is never stored on our servers. We do not collect GPS location data.
Mutual match data: Personal match shares your name, Instagram handle, and personal email. Professional match shares name, company, designation, LinkedIn URL, official email, and phone number — only when both users mutually like each other. Once shared, NearConnect cannot retrieve this data.
We do not collect: biometric data, sexual orientation, political views, religion, or other special-category data. We do not serve advertisements. We do not sell personal data.
How We Use Your Data
- Account creation, management, and authentication
- Operating the BLE proximity discovery feature
- Facilitating mutual profile matching and contact sharing
- Enabling in-app messaging between matched users
- Processing subscription payments and managing Premium access
- Sending notifications about matches, messages, and updates
- Platform safety, fraud detection, and abuse prevention
- Improving app features through anonymous usage analytics
- Complying with applicable legal obligations
- Responding to support queries and grievances
Legal Basis for Processing
EEA / UK (GDPR): Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) for BLE broadcasting and optional fields; Contract Performance (Art. 6(1)(b)) for core services; Legitimate Interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) for security and analytics; Legal Obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)) where required by law.
India (DPDP Act 2023): Data is collected only with your free, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent. You may withdraw consent at any time via Profile › Settings.
Data Retention
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Profile & account data | Deleted within 30 days of account deletion |
| In-app chat messages | Deleted immediately upon account deletion |
| Transaction / billing records | 7 years (financial & tax compliance) |
| Trust & Safety records | 3 years (abuse prevention) |
| Anonymised analytics | Indefinitely (cannot be linked to any individual) |
| Legal hold data | Duration of active legal proceedings |
Data Security
- TLS/SSL encryption for all data in transit
- Encryption of sensitive fields at rest
- Role-based access controls and audit logging
- Regular penetration testing and security reviews
- Vulnerability disclosure: security@nearconnect.app
Your Rights
India (DPDP Act): Right to access, correct, and erase personal data. Withdraw consent at any time. Grievances acknowledged within 48 hours, resolved within 30 days.
EEA / UK (GDPR): Right to access (Art. 15), rectification (Art. 16), erasure (Art. 17), restriction (Art. 18), portability (Art. 20), and to object (Art. 21). Right to lodge complaints with your national supervisory authority.
California (CCPA/CPRA): Right to know, delete, correct, opt out of sale/sharing (we do not sell data), and non-discrimination.
Contact: privacy@nearconnect.app — response within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA).
International Data Transfers
For transfers from the EEA/UK we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and UK International Data Transfer Agreements (IDTAs). For India cross-border transfers, we comply with the DPDP Act 2023.
Children's Privacy
NearConnect is strictly for users aged 18 and above. Suspected minor accounts are immediately terminated. Report to: safety@nearconnect.app
Changes to This Policy
Material changes are notified via in-app notification and/or email at least 14 days before they take effect.
Shipping & Return Policy
Effective Date: May 29, 2025
Products Sold
- NearConnect Premium — Monthly Subscription
- NearConnect Premium — Annual Subscription
- Any future in-app digital feature packs or add-ons
Digital Delivery
Upon successful payment, your Premium subscription is activated immediately and automatically within the NearConnect app. No physical delivery is involved. If Premium is not activated after payment, contact: support@nearconnect.app — resolved within 48 hours.
No Physical Shipping
- No physical shipment of any product
- No shipping charges
- Access is instant upon payment confirmation
- No physical return process
Subscription Cancellation
- Google Play: Play Store → Subscriptions → NearConnect → Cancel
- Apple App Store: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → NearConnect → Cancel
- Direct / Web payments: Email support@nearconnect.app with your registered email
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. Auto-renewal is disabled upon cancellation.
Refund Policy
Effective Date: May 29, 2025 · Applies to all NearConnect Premium subscription purchases
Because our products are digital services delivered instantly, all subscription purchases are generally non-refundable once the subscription period has commenced and Premium features have been made available.
When Refunds Are Considered
- Duplicate charge — Charged more than once for the same period due to a technical error
- Unauthorised transaction — A charge was made without your authorisation, subject to verification
- Technical failure — Premium features were inaccessible for a substantial portion of your paid period, reported within 7 days, and we were unable to resolve it
- Mandatory statutory rights — Where applicable law provides cooling-off or mandatory refund rights
Refund Process by Platform
| Platform | How to Request | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Store | Request via play.google.com/store/account | Per Google Play policy |
| Apple App Store | Request via reportaproblem.apple.com | Per Apple App Store policy |
| Direct / Web (PayU) | Email support@nearconnect.app with order ID, registered email, reason, and evidence | Decision in 7 business days; credit in 5–10 days if approved |
Non-Refundable Situations
- Change of mind after the subscription period has commenced
- Failure to cancel before the auto-renewal date
- Dissatisfaction with match quality or frequency
- Account suspension due to violation of our Terms
- Requests made more than 30 days after the date of charge
Consumer Rights
India: Your rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 are fully preserved. You may approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for unresolved complaints.
EU / UK: All mandatory statutory rights in your jurisdiction are honoured.
How to Request a Refund (Direct / PayU)
- Email support@nearconnect.app — Subject: "Refund Request – [Your Registered Email]"
- Include: registered email, transaction ID, charge date and amount, reason, and supporting evidence
- Our team reviews and responds within 7 business days
- Approved refunds are credited to the original payment method within 5–10 business days
Terms & Conditions
Version 1.0 · Effective Date: May 29, 2025
By accessing or using the NearConnect app operated by AISTIV Private Limited, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.
1. About NearConnect
NearConnect is a proximity-based connection platform using BLE technology to help consenting adults discover other nearby users for personal and/or professional purposes. NearConnect acts solely as a neutral technological intermediary — not a matchmaking service, dating agency, or employment agency.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age to use NearConnect. By using the app, you represent you are 18 or older, have full legal capacity to enter a binding contract, and will comply with all applicable laws.
3. Account Registration
You are solely responsible for the accuracy and truthfulness of all information in your profile. NearConnect does not verify user-provided information. Impersonation and fictitious profiles are strictly prohibited. Each user may maintain only one active account.
4. Bluetooth (BLE) Technology
By enabling Bluetooth and using Active Mode, you grant permission to broadcast an anonymous proximity signal detectable by nearby NearConnect users within approximately 10–30 metres. You may switch to Passive Mode at any time. BLE signal data is never stored on our servers.
5. Connection Modes
Personal Match shares: name, Instagram handle, and personal email. Professional Match shares: name, company, designation, LinkedIn URL, official email, and phone number — only on mutual like. Once shared, NearConnect cannot retrieve this data.
6. Platform Disclaimer & Intermediary Role
India: Intermediary under Section 2(1)(w) IT Act 2000. Liability limited under Section 79.
United States: Immunity under Section 230, Communications Decency Act. Complies with FOSTA-SESTA.
European Union: Operates under the Digital Services Act (EU) 2022/2065 and EU e-Commerce Directive.
7. Prohibited Conduct
- Providing false, misleading, or fraudulent profile information
- Impersonating any person or creating fictitious profiles
- Using the app for any unlawful purpose
- Harassing, stalking, threatening, or abusing any user
- Sending spam or unsolicited commercial messages to matched users
- Sharing or selling matched users' contact information to third parties
- Facilitating sexual exploitation, trafficking, fraud, or financial scams
- Using bots or scrapers to collect data from the app
- Creating profiles for persons under 18 years of age
8. Premium Subscriptions
Optional Premium subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Purchase does not guarantee any particular number or quality of matches.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, NearConnect and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the app or from any interaction with another user. Where liability cannot be excluded, total aggregate liability shall not exceed the greater of amounts paid in the preceding 12 months or INR 1,000 / USD 12.
10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
Governed by the laws of India. Disputes first attempted informally (30-day notice to legal@nearconnect.app). Unresolved disputes: exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
US users: Binding individual arbitration under AAA Consumer Rules. Class actions waived.
EU/UK users: Mandatory consumer protection rights preserved. ODR: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
11. Changes to These Terms
Material changes notified at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use constitutes acceptance.
Contact Us
Reach the appropriate team for queries, grievances, or support.
Governing Law: Laws of the Republic of India · Jurisdiction: Bengaluru, Karnataka