Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Natura Springs Beverages values your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you visit or interact with our website, mobile applications, sales and trade portals, or otherwise engage with AKARA (collectively, the "Services").

By using our Services or providing us with personal information, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to personal data collected from:

• Visitors to our websites (including akarawater.com and subdomains)
• Individuals submitting trade enquiries, sample requests, or contact forms
• Customers (B2B/HORECA accounts) and prospective partners
• Users of any AKARA-hosted online services (newsletters, tasting sign-ups, job applications)

3. Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data necessary for the functions described below. Categories include:

a. Identity & Contact Information

• Full name, job title, company name (for trade contacts)
• Postal address, delivery address
• Email address, telephone number
• Billing information (invoices, GSTIN/Tax IDs for B2B)

b. Commercial & Transactional Data

• Order history, purchase quantities, invoicing and payment records
• Trade preferences and account credit / delivery terms

c. Technical Data

• IP address, device identifiers, browser type, referring URLs
• Usage data (pages visited, session time, clicks)

d. Marketing and Communications

• Newsletter opt-in status, communication preferences
• Responses to surveys, event registrations, tasting feedback

e. Sensitive Data

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data (health data, religious beliefs, etc.). If sensitive data is voluntarily provided, we will handle it only with explicit consent and in accordance with applicable law.

4. How We Collect Personal Data

We collect data:

• Directly from you (forms, emails, telephone)
• Automatically when you use our Services (cookies, analytics)
• From third parties where permitted (payment processors, logistics partners, CRM integrations, marketing platforms)
• From publicly available sources (company directories, professional networks) for trade outreach

5. Use of Personal Data — Purposes

We use personal data for legitimate business purposes including:

• Responding to trade enquiries, arranging tastings, processing orders and deliveries
• Managing accounts, invoicing, and collections
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations (tax, food safety, audit)
• Providing customer support and communications about product, events, recalls or compliance updates
• Operating and improving our Services, security and fraud prevention
• Marketing and promotional communications where consented to (you may opt out at any time)
• Analytics and aggregate reporting to improve products and services

6. Legal Basis

We rely on the following legal bases for processing:

• Performance of a contract (e.g., order processing, trade agreements)
• Compliance with legal obligations (tax, food safety)
• Legitimate interests (service improvement, fraud prevention, direct marketing to trade contacts)
• Consent (for marketing communications, where required)

7. Disclosure & Sharing

We may share personal data with:

• Service providers and processors (payment gateways, logistics, cloud hosting, CRM, analytics providers)
• Professional advisors (legal, accounting) when required for compliance or disputes
• Regulators and law enforcement, where required by law or to protect rights
• Distributors or partner organisations when required to fulfil orders (with appropriate safeguards)
• In the event of a corporate transaction (merger, sale), data may be transferred under confidentiality protections

We do not sell personal data to third parties.

8. International Transfers

Some processing or storage may occur outside India (e.g., cloud hosting or third-party services). When transferring personal data internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards and contractual protections to ensure continued data protection.

9. Data Retention

We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described and to comply with legal obligations (tax record retention, dispute resolution). Typical retention periods for different categories (orders, invoices, marketing consents) are documented internally and applied consistently.

10. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for essential site functionality, analytics, and (with consent) marketing. You may control cookie preferences via browser settings or our cookie banner. Disabling non-essential cookies may affect site functionality.

11. Security

We maintain technical and organisational measures designed to protect data against unauthorised access, loss, alteration, or destruction (access controls, encryption where applicable, secure data centres). No transmission method is 100% secure; absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

12. Your Rights & Choices

Subject to applicable law, you may:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction or update of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of personal data (where retention is not required by law)
• Object to or restrict processing under certain grounds
• Withdraw consent to marketing communications at any time
• Request portability of data in a machine-readable form (where applicable)

To exercise rights, contact: info@akarawater.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and as required by applicable law.

13. Children

Our Services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

14. Third-Party Links

Our Services may link to third-party sites. We are not responsible for third-party privacy practices. Review their policies before sharing personal data.

15. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect legal, operational or product changes. We will post updates with the revised effective date. For material changes, we will communicate via the website or email where appropriate.

16. Contact

For privacy queries, data requests or concerns:

info@akarawater.com