Privacy Policy

1. About RoomieBU

RoomieBU is a roommate and flatmate matching platform built exclusively for students of Bennett University. The platform connects verified students looking for hostel roommates or flatmates near campus. RoomieBU is a student-built project and is not officially operated by Bennett University.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly when using the platform:

2.1 Authentication Data

RoomieBU uses Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) for authentication. When you sign in with your Bennett University Microsoft account (@bennett.edu.in), we receive your name, email address, and profile picture from Microsoft. We do not receive or store your Microsoft account password.

2.2 Profile Information

During onboarding and profile setup, you may provide:

• Phone number
• Gender and date of birth
• Course and academic year at Bennett University
• Lifestyle preferences — smoking, vaping, drinking habits, sleep schedule, cleanliness level, study environment preference, and guest preferences
• Languages spoken
• A short bio (about me)
• Other habits you choose to share

2.3 Listing Information

When you create a roommate listing, we store:

• Listing title and description
• Accommodation type (hostel, flat, or flexible)
• Move-in date and budget range
• Location preference
• Number of roommates required and spots filled
• Gender preference and lifestyle preferences for the listing

2.4 Interaction Data

We record your interactions on the platform, including:

• Interest requests you send and receive
• Matches created when an interest is accepted
• Listings you save
• Reports you file against users or listings
• Notification records

2.5 Information We Do Not Collect

RoomieBU does not collect IP addresses, browser fingerprints, precise geolocation, or financial information. We do not use third-party tracking cookies or advertising networks.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used to:

• Verify your identity — only students with a valid @bennett.edu.in email can access the platform.
• Display your profile — so other students can understand your lifestyle preferences and compatibility.
• Calculate compatibility scores — based on lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking, sleep schedule, accommodation type, and gender preference to help you find suitable matches.
• Facilitate matching — when you express interest in a listing and the owner accepts, we share contact information between both parties.
• Send notifications — about interest requests, match updates, and platform activity.
• Moderate the platform — administrators review reported users and listings to maintain a safe environment.

4. Contact Information Sharing

Your phone number and email are only shared with another user when a mutual match is created — that is, when you express interest in a listing and the listing owner accepts your request (or vice versa). Contact information is never publicly visible on the platform.

5. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored in a PostgreSQL database hosted on Neon, a cloud database provider. The application is deployed on Vercel. All data transmission occurs over HTTPS. We use industry-standard security practices, but no method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We encourage you to keep your Microsoft account credentials safe.

6. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active on the platform. Listings may expire after 30 days of inactivity. If you delete your account, your profile data, listings, and match records will be permanently removed from our systems.

7. Your Rights and Account Deletion

You have the right to:

• Access your data — view all profile and listing information through your account.
• Update your data — edit your profile and listings at any time.
• Request account deletion — contact us at roomiebu@buconfess.in to request complete removal of your account and all associated data.
• Request data export — you may request a copy of all data we hold about you by emailing us.

8. Third-Party Services

RoomieBU uses the following third-party services:

• Microsoft Entra ID— for authentication. Microsoft's privacy policy applies to data processed through their sign-in service.
• Vercel — for application hosting.
• Neon — for database hosting.

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with advertisers or data brokers.

9. Children's Privacy

RoomieBU is intended for use by university students who are 17 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 17.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact us at:

roomiebu@buconfess.in