YOUR DATA, YOUR RIGHTS
Last updated: June 2025 · Applies to all BAL.bd users
At BAL.bd, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our review platform — whether you are reading reviews, writing them, or managing a claimed business profile. We operate in accordance with Bangladesh's Digital Security Act, 2018 and applicable international privacy standards.
Information We Collect
Account Information
- Name and email address
- Phone number (optional)
- Profile picture and display name
- Username and public bio
Review & Platform Activity
- Reviews you write — ratings, text, pros/cons, and media uploads
- Votes you cast on other users' reviews (helpful / not helpful)
- Reports you submit on reviews
- Business claim submissions and verification documents
- Owner responses you post as a verified business owner
Technical Information
- IP address and device information
- Browser type and version
- Pages visited and search queries
- Approximate geographic location (city-level)
- Referral sources
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Display your reviews and profile on public subject pages
- Detect and filter spam and fake reviews using automated scoring
- Process and verify business ownership claims
- Enable review voting, reporting, and moderation workflows
- Send service-related communications (account alerts, claim decisions)
- Improve search relevance and subject discovery
- Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requests
Public vs. Private Information
BAL.bd is a public review platform. Visible to all visitors by default:
- Your display name, avatar, and reviews (unless posted anonymously)
- Your helpful vote count and reviewer history
- Business owner responses you post on reviews
When you choose "Post Anonymously", your identity is replaced with "Anonymous" in all public views and retained internally for moderation only.
Information Sharing
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share your data only in these limited cases:
- Service Providers — Hosting, database, and infrastructure providers under strict data processing agreements
- Legal Requirements — Court orders, law enforcement, or government authority under Bangladesh law
- Business Transfers — Merger or acquisition; users notified in advance
- With Your Consent — When you explicitly authorize a specific sharing action
Data Security
We implement standard security measures to protect your information:
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data in transit
- Encrypted storage for sensitive fields
- Role-based access controls — only admins access moderation data
- Automated spam scoring to protect review integrity
- Regular security reviews and incident response procedures
No system is entirely risk-free. While we take reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee absolute security over the internet.
Your Privacy Rights
You have the following rights over your personal information:
To exercise any right, contact bangladeshaamleague@gmail.com. We respond within 30 days.
Data Retention
Retention periods by data type:
After the applicable period, data is securely deleted or fully anonymized.
Children's Privacy
BAL.bd is not intended for users under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we discover a user under 16 has created an account, we delete the account and all associated data immediately.
If you believe a minor has submitted data to BAL.bd, contact bangladeshaamleague@gmail.com and we will act promptly.
Cookies & Tracking
BAL.bd uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep you logged in across sessions
- Remember your filter and sort preferences
- Measure platform performance and page load times
- Detect unusual activity patterns for spam prevention
We do not use cookies for advertising or cross-site tracking. You can disable cookies in your browser, though some features may not function correctly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Send an email notification for material changes
- Display a notice on the platform for significant updates
Continued use of BAL.bd after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Privacy Team Contact
Questions about this policy or your data? We respond within 30 days.
Bangladesh Compliance
BAL.bd operates in compliance with the Digital Security Act, 2018 and other applicable laws of Bangladesh. We maintain data processing records and cooperate with regulatory authorities as required by law.