Cookie & Local Storage Policy

1. What Cookies and Similar Technologies Are

Cookies are small text or data files saved onto your device or browser when you access a digital platform. In mobile applications like GOSHTGO, equivalent local data storage technologies are utilized:

• Web Cookies & LocalStorage: On our website, lightweight session identifiers and security tokens are stored locally within your web browser.
• Android SharedPreferences: Secure key-value storage allocated exclusively to the GOSHTGO app sandbox on your Android device (e.g., active delivery address selection, notification toggles).
• Encrypted Keystore Tokens: Encrypted Firebase Authentication session tokens that verify legitimate user identity so you do not need to request an SMS OTP on every app opening.
• Local Database Cache: Temporary SQLite and Room database storage keeping items in your shopping cart secure even if internet connectivity drops.

2. Essential Technologies Used by GOSHTGO

GOSHTGO strictly uses essential, first-party technologies that are necessary for core operations, security, and session management:

• User Authentication & Session Continuity: Maintains your verified login state across app sessions after Phone OTP or Google Sign-In.
• Shopping Cart Retention: Keeps your selected fresh chicken cuts, mutton, fish, or eggs safely stored in your cart while you browse categories.
• Fraud Prevention & App Security: Utilizes nonce verification, Google Play Integrity checks, and reCAPTCHA challenge tokens to prevent malicious bot activity and automated OTP abuse.
• Delivery Address Preference: Remembers your active delivery pin coordinates for real-time delivery radius and time estimates.

3. Analytics & Performance Technologies

We do NOT deploy intrusive advertising cookies or monetize user tracking data. We utilize only operational diagnostics:

• Crash & Health Monitoring: Firebase Crashlytics records anonymized error logs when unexpected exceptions occur, enabling our technical team to resolve issues rapidly.
• Delivery Latency Diagnostics: Monitors dispatch latency to local dark-store butchery hubs to ensure our 20-minute delivery promise is met.
• No Behavioral Ad-Tracking: We do not track your browsing activity across third-party websites or external platforms.

4. Third-Party SDKs and Integrated Services

GOSHTGO integrates reputable, industry-standard third-party SDKs to power core application services:

• Google Firebase Authentication: Manages secure SMS OTP phone verification, session refresh tokens, and Play Integrity checks.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): Stores device push notification tokens to deliver real-time order confirmation, preparation, and delivery alerts.
• Google Maps SDK: Caches map tiles and calculates delivery pin geocoding for your doorstep.
• Payment Gateways (UPI & Online): Authorized, RBI-compliant payment aggregators utilize secure, transient transaction tokens compliant with PCI-DSS standards.

5. How You Can Manage or Disable Cookies

You have complete control over local data storage and cookies through your device and browser settings:

• On Android App: Open device Settings > Apps > GOSHTGO > Storage & Cache. Tap Clear Cache to remove temporary cached assets without logging out, or tap Clear Storage to reset all local session data. You can also modify Location and Notification permissions under App Permissions.
• On Web Browsers: In Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, navigate to Privacy & Security settings to block third-party cookies or clear stored site data.

6. Effect of Disabling Essential Technologies

Because essential technologies are required for core platform functionality, clearing or disabling them will affect your user experience:

• Session Log Out: You will be immediately logged out and will need to request a fresh SMS OTP to sign back in.
• Cart Reset: Items in your active shopping cart will be cleared upon restarting the app.
• Preference Reset: Saved delivery address selections and notification toggles will revert to default settings.
• Live Tracking Interruption: Real-time rider and butcher preparation tracking updates may be temporarily disrupted.

7. Cookie Consent & Indian Privacy Regulations

GOSHTGO operates in strict compliance with applicable Indian data protection mandates:

• DPDP Act, 2023: Local storage and personal identifiers are processed strictly on the lawful grounds of consent and legitimate service fulfillment.
• IT Act, 2000 & SPDI Rules, 2011: Stringent reasonable security practices are enforced to safeguard stored authentication tokens against unauthorized access.
• Consent Notice: By installing the app, logging in, or browsing the GOSHTGO website, you consent to our use of essential storage and cookies as outlined in this policy.

8. Cookie & Storage Retention Periods

We retain local storage data only for as long as strictly necessary:

9. Policy Updates & Contact Details

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect technological advancements or regulatory requirements. Continued use of the platform after updates indicates your acceptance.