1. Introduction
The Homeo Healer ("we," "us," "our," or "Service"), operated by Dr. Farheen Akhtar (BHMS), is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our online homeopathic consultation services.
By using our services, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our services.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our services.
2.1 Information You Provide
When you book an appointment or use our services, we may collect:
- Personal Identification Information: Name, age, gender, email address, phone number, country code
- Location Information: State and city of residence
- Health Information: Health concerns, medical history, and other information you voluntarily provide during consultations
- Payment Information: Payment method details (processed securely through Razorpay - we do not store complete card information)
- Communication Records: Emails, messages, and other communications with us
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version
- Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, referral sources
- IP Address: Your Internet Protocol (IP) address
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Description |
|---|---|
| Service Delivery | To schedule, manage, and conduct consultations; send appointment confirmations and reminders |
| Communication | To respond to your inquiries, send appointment updates, meeting links, and important service notifications |
| Payment Processing | To process payments, manage billing, and handle refunds through Razorpay payment gateway |
| Medical Records | To maintain consultation records, treatment history, and provide continuity of care |
| Service Improvement | To analyze usage patterns, improve our services, and enhance user experience |
| Legal Compliance | To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes |
| Security | To protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security threats |
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers
We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our services:
- Payment Processors: Razorpay for payment processing (they handle payment data according to their privacy policy)
- Email Services: Email service providers for sending appointment confirmations and communications
- Video Conferencing: Google Meet for conducting consultations (subject to Google's privacy policy)
- Hosting Services: Cloud hosting providers for website and data storage
These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.
4.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or others
- Respond to legal processes or government requests
4.3 Medical Emergencies
In case of medical emergencies or situations where we believe there is a risk of harm, we may share relevant health information with emergency services or healthcare providers as necessary.
4.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:
- Encryption: Data transmission is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
- Secure Storage: Personal information is stored on secure servers with restricted access
- Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Regular Security Audits: We regularly review and update our security practices
- Payment Security: Payment information is processed through PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways (Razorpay)
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Provide our services to you
- Comply with legal obligations (medical records may need to be retained as per healthcare regulations)
- Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
- Maintain continuity of care for follow-up consultations
Medical consultation records may be retained for extended periods as required by healthcare regulations. When information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:
7.1 Access and Correction
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request a copy of your consultation records
7.2 Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to:
- Legal obligations requiring data retention (e.g., medical records)
- Ongoing service obligations
- Legitimate business interests
7.3 Data Portability
You may request a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format.
7.4 Opt-Out
You can opt-out of:
- Marketing communications (if any) by clicking unsubscribe links or contacting us
- Non-essential cookies through your browser settings
Note: You cannot opt-out of essential service communications (appointment confirmations, important updates).
7.5 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at akhtarfarheen99@gmail.com with:
- Your full name and email address
- Description of the right you wish to exercise
- Any relevant booking reference numbers
We will respond to your request within 30 days, subject to verification of your identity.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
- Improve website functionality and user experience
You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect website functionality.
9. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., Google Meet, payment gateways). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
10. Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age without parental or guardian consent. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.
11. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using our services, you consent to such transfers. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.
12. Healthcare Information (HIPAA/Medical Privacy)
Medical Privacy: Health information shared during consultations is treated with the highest level of confidentiality. We follow applicable healthcare privacy regulations and maintain strict confidentiality standards. Your health information is:
- Used only for providing consultation services
- Shared only with your explicit consent or as required by law
- Protected by additional security measures
- Retained in accordance with medical record retention requirements
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Compliance with Laws
This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with:
- Indian Information Technology Act, 2000 and Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU users
- Applicable healthcare privacy regulations
- Other relevant data protection laws
15. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
The Homeo Healer
Dr. Farheen Akhtar (BHMS)
Data Protection Officer / Privacy Contact:
Email: akhtarfarheen99@gmail.com
Website: www.thehomeohealer.com
Response Time: We aim to respond to privacy inquiries within 7-10 business days.
16. Grievance Redressal
If you have a complaint about how we handle your personal information, please contact us using the information above. We will investigate and respond to your complaint. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
17. Consent
By using our services, you consent to:
- The collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy
- The processing of your health information for consultation purposes
- The transfer of your information as described in this policy