Privacy Policy
Aakhri update: July 2026
Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Talaash Gumshuda ("we", "us", "our"), available as a website (talaashgumshuda.com) and as an Android mobile application, collects, uses, shares and protects your information. Talaash Gumshuda is a community Lost & Found platform for Pakistan that helps report and find missing people, children, pets, documents, vehicles and other lost items. By using our app or website you agree to this Policy.
Information We Collect
We collect: (a) Account information you provide — name, email address and/or phone number when you register; (b) Report content — titles, descriptions, photos, category details and the contact number you choose to publish; (c) Location data — approximate and precise device location, used to power nearby-alert notifications and to tag where an item was lost or found; (d) Messages — the content of in-app chat messages you send to other users; (e) Device and advertising identifiers — including the Android Advertising ID, used to serve ads; (f) Technical/usage data — such as app interactions and basic diagnostic information needed to operate the service.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to: create and manage your account; publish the reports you submit; notify nearby users about new reports; enable in-app chat between users; show relevant advertisements; send you notifications about tips and updates on your reports; prevent misuse and keep the platform safe; and comply with legal obligations. We do not sell your personal information.
Publicly Visible Information
Reports you submit (including photos, description, city and the contact number you provide) are shown publicly so that the community can help. Please share only the information you are comfortable making public. Your exact home address is never required or published. You can edit or delete your reports at any time.
Location Data
Location is used only to provide app functionality — showing nearby reports and sending 50 km "nearby" alerts, and recording where an item was lost/found. We do not track your location in the background. You can deny or revoke the location permission in your device settings; some features (nearby alerts) will then be limited.
Advertising
Our app displays banner ads through Google AdMob. AdMob may use the device Advertising ID and related data to serve and measure ads in accordance with Google's policies. You can reset or limit ad personalisation from your device settings (Settings → Google → Ads). For more information see Google's Privacy Policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Third-Party Services
We use trusted third-party services that may process limited data on our behalf: Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (push notifications), Google AdMob (advertising), OpenStreetMap/Nominatim (free maps and geocoding), and a payment gateway (GoPayFast) to process optional membership payments on the website. Payment card details are handled by the payment provider and are not stored by us.
Sharing of Information
We do not sell or rent your personal data. We may share information: with the third-party service providers listed above strictly to operate the app; with law-enforcement or relevant authorities when required by law or to help resolve a genuine missing-person case (especially missing children); and to protect the rights, safety and security of our users and the public.
Data Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including encryption of data in transit (HTTPS). However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We keep your reports while they are active, until the case is resolved or you delete them. Resolved ("Found") reports may be kept as success stories unless you delete them. Account data is retained while your account is active.
Your Rights and Data Deletion
You may access, edit or delete your reports at any time from within the app. You may also request deletion of your entire account and associated personal data by contacting us at admin@talaashgumshuda.com (or via the Contact page at talaashgumshuda.com/contact). We will action verified deletion requests within a reasonable time, subject to any legal retention requirements.
Children's Privacy
Talaash Gumshuda is intended for users aged 18 and over and is not directed at children. Reports about missing children are posted by adults to help find them; we handle such reports with extra care and do not publish a child's sensitive personal details or exact address. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we will remove it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date. Continued use of the app or website after changes means you accept the updated Policy.
Contact Us
For any privacy questions or requests, contact us at: admin@talaashgumshuda.com — or visit talaashgumshuda.com/contact. Talaash Gumshuda, Pakistan.