Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how BaroStay handles information when you use our website, WhatsApp stay and paying guest (PG) discovery service, booking requests, support, and related services. References to “we,” “us,” and “our” mean BaroStay.

BaroStay helps customers discover stays and request bookings with PG or property operators. We use information relevant to these interactions to provide the service and help process your requests.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use BaroStay, we may collect:

• Your WhatsApp or mobile number and your WhatsApp profile or display name when supplied by WhatsApp.
• Messages and commands you send, such as “Hi” or “Menu,” and information supplied during booking or support conversations.
• Your gender or PG preference when voluntarily provided, and your preferred location or area.
• Your selected property and room, bed count, and requested check-in and check-out dates.
• Booking identifiers, booking status, and cancellation requests or related information.
• Support requests, human handoff information, ratings, and optional reviews or feedback.
• Payment-related claims and verification status needed to check offline payments.
• Technical and security logs reasonably necessary to operate, troubleshoot, and protect the service.

Please do not send unnecessary sensitive information over WhatsApp or email. Do not share passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), full payment card or financial account details, or other sensitive credentials.

3. How we use information

We use information as reasonably necessary to:

• Help you discover stays and respond to your location, room, and booking preferences.
• Process booking requests, communicate operator acceptance or rejection, and manage booking status.
• Share appropriate booking information with the selected PG or property operator so they can process and fulfill your request.
• Communicate with you, handle cancellation and support requests, and arrange human assistance.
• Check offline payment information and help resolve booking or payment questions.
• Prevent duplicate requests, unauthorized activity, fraud, and misuse.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and improve the service using relevant feedback and operational information.
• Maintain records for safety, dispute resolution, and legitimate business or legal purposes.

4. WhatsApp and Meta

BaroStay uses the WhatsApp Business Platform and Meta services to send and receive WhatsApp messages. These messages pass through WhatsApp and Meta infrastructure as part of delivery and service operation.

WhatsApp and Meta also process information under their own applicable terms and privacy policies. BaroStay does not control their independent processing. You can read the WhatsApp Privacy Policy and WhatsApp Terms of Service for information about their services.

5. Sharing of information

We may share information where reasonably necessary with:

• The relevant PG or property operator, including contact and booking details needed to assess, confirm, and fulfill a booking request or handle a related issue.
• Service providers that support our hosting, databases, messaging, automation, and other operational infrastructure.
• Authorities when disclosure is legally required.
• Professional advisers where appropriate for legal, accounting, or dispute-related matters.

We do not disclose customer data merely for unrelated advertising purposes. Exact property or operator contact information may be provided when appropriate for a confirmed booking.

6. Payments

The current booking flow uses Pay at PG or offline payment arrangements. A WhatsApp message saying that you have paid does not, by itself, verify payment or mark a booking as paid.

Appropriate PG or BaroStay personnel may manually verify relevant payment information and update its status. Please share only information necessary for that verification, without sending card details, passwords, or OTPs.

7. Data retention

We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for service operation, bookings, support, safety, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, accounting or legal obligations, and other legitimate business purposes.

Retention varies by record type and circumstances. Some records may need to be retained after a deletion request to meet legal requirements or legitimate operational needs. Where those reasons no longer apply, information may be deleted or otherwise handled in accordance with applicable law.

8. Data security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information handled by BaroStay. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

If you believe your information has been misused in connection with BaroStay, please contact us using the details below.

9. Your choices and rights

You may request access to your personal information, correction of inaccurate information, deletion, or information about how we handle your data. Requests are subject to applicable law, appropriate ownership verification, and legitimate retention obligations.

Email support@barostay.com to make a request. For deletion, follow our data deletion instructions. Please provide only the information necessary to identify your request.

You can also ask us to stop WhatsApp communications or use WhatsApp’s own blocking and privacy controls. Choosing not to provide information needed for a booking or support request may limit our ability to process it.

10. Children

BaroStay is not intentionally designed to collect personal information from children without appropriate parent or guardian involvement or authorization. If you believe a child has provided information without appropriate involvement or authorization, contact us so we can assess and address the situation in accordance with applicable law.

11. Third-party services

Our service uses WhatsApp and Meta and may rely on hosting, database, automation, and other operational providers. Links to external services and interactions with property operators may also be subject to those parties’ own terms and privacy practices.

This policy describes BaroStay’s handling of information. For information independently held by a third party, please consult that party’s applicable privacy policy and data-control mechanisms.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as our service or applicable requirements change. Updates will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. We will provide any additional notice required by applicable law.

13. Contact

Data deletion instructions · Contact and support