Privacy Policy for Vendors

Last Updated: May 2026

Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Metu Mart ("we", "our", "us") collects, uses, discloses, and protects information of our Merchant/Vendor partners ("you", "your", "Vendor") when using the Metu Mart Vendor mobile application, vendor portal, and associated business services.

By registering as a Vendor and using our application, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

To enable online store management, order fulfillment, payment payouts, and platform security, we collect specific details when you register and use the Vendor App:

1. Personal & Business Profile Information

• Contact Details: Owner's full name, active mobile number, and email address.
• Business Information: Shop or restaurant name, physical storefront address, pincode, and contact number.
• Store Location (Geospatial Data): Precise GPS coordinates of your storefront or kitchen. This is critical for mapping nearby customers and routing delivery partners accurately.

2. Legal & Regulatory Verification (KYC)

To comply with Indian tax and trade laws (e.g., FSSAI, GST, Income Tax), we collect verification documents:

• FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) license copy and number (mandatory for food/meat sellers).
• PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card details.
• GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) details (where applicable).
• Government-issued identity cards (e.g., Aadhar Card) or business establishment certificates.

3. Bank Account & Settlement Details

• Bank Account Number, Account Holder Name, Bank Name, and IFSC Code. This data is strictly used to process daily/weekly payouts for completed orders and earnings settlements.

4. Product & Catalog Data

• Product names, descriptions, inventory status, pricing details, and category listings.
• Product Images: Photos of products, menus, and shop banners uploaded to build your digital store.

Permissions & Device Access We Request

The Vendor App requests access to certain device features to operate efficiently:

• Camera Access: To allow you to take and upload real-time photos of products, menu items, or your storefront banner directly from the app, as well as upload verification documents during signup.
• Photo Library/Storage Access: To select and upload existing product photos, invoices, and business licenses from your gallery.
• Location Services (GPS): To pinpoint the exact location of your storefront during registration to establish your delivery radius and connect you with nearby delivery partners.
• Push Notifications: To send you instant audio and visual alerts when new orders are placed, when a delivery partner is assigned, or when an order is cancelled.

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following commercial and operational purposes:

• Onboarding & Verification: Reviewing and approving vendor applications, verifying bank accounts, and validating licenses (e.g., FSSAI).
• Order Management: Notifying you of new orders, updating cooking/preparation status, and coordinating pickups.
• Financial Settlement: Calculating commission charges, order totals, and executing direct bank transfers for your sales.
• Logistics Optimization: Calculating distance between your shop, delivery partners, and customers for efficient routing.
• Merchant Dashboard: Showing you sales analytics, earnings, order history, and rating reviews in the app.
• Communications: Contacting you regarding critical app updates, payment settlements, and support inquiries.

Data Sharing and Disclosures

We do not sell vendor details to marketing companies. We share information only with trusted third parties necessary for operation:

• Customers: Your shop name, logo, address, rating, and product catalog are visible to customers on the Metu Mart Customer App for ordering.
• Delivery Partners: Store name, contact number, and pickup address are shared with assigned delivery agents to facilitate order collection.
• Payout Partners & Banks: Bank details are securely shared with our financial and payment processing gateways to execute daily settlements.
• SMS & Notification Services: Used to send OTP authentications and transactional updates.
• Legal Authorities: If required by law, we may disclose your information to comply with tax audits, court orders, or government investigations.

Data Security

We secure your data using premium technical measures:

• All communications between the app and the backend are encrypted using SSL (HTTPS).
• Authorized connections are restricted using secure, signed JSON Web Tokens (JWT).
• Document uploads (such as licenses) are stored in secure cloud servers with strict access controls.

Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain your business profile and transaction records as long as your vendor account is active or as required by law for auditing and tax purposes. If you wish to terminate your partnership and request data deletion, you can contact our support team at the email below. Some transactional data (like invoices and sales records) must be retained for legal compliance.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When we make updates, the revised date at the top will be updated, and significant changes will be notified directly inside the Vendor App.

Contact Us

For any privacy concerns, data deletion requests, or questions regarding your information, contact our grievance team:

• Email: metumart8@gmail.com
• Phone: +91 8977358383
• Address: Gudurupadu, Khammam District, Telangana, India 507003