Last Updated: January 05, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Dost ("we," "our," or "us"). We are a multi-service platform operating in Pakistan, committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how VOH Technologies (SMC-Private) Limited collects, uses, shares, and protects your information across our ecosystem, which includes:

• Dost (User App): For customers ordering food, groceries, pharmacy, rides, and services.
• Dost Captain (Driver App): For drivers and delivery riders.
• Dost Partner (Vendor App): For shop owners, restaurants, and service providers.
• Dost Website: Our official website and portals.

By using our apps or services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. This policy is drafted in accordance with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) and the Constitution of Pakistan.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide our services efficiently. The type of data depends on which App you use:

A. For Users (Dost App)

• Identity Data: Name, Phone Number, Email Address (via Google/Facebook/Mobile Sign-up).
• Transaction Data: Order history (Food, Grocery, Pharmacy), delivery addresses, and payment details.
• Location Data: Precise location (GPS) to enable delivery tracking, ride-hailing pickup, and "near me" services.
• Health Data: If you upload prescriptions for Pharmacy orders, we handle this as sensitive data solely for order fulfillment.

B. For Captains/Drivers (Dost Captain App)

• Identity & Verification: CNIC, Driving License, Vehicle Registration Book, and Photo.
• Background Location (Crucial): We collect location data even when the app is closed or not in use to enable efficient ride dispatching, tracking for safety, and calculating distance-based earnings.
• Status: Online/Offline status and trip history.

C. For Partners/Vendors (Dost Partner App)

• Business Data: Shop Name, Registration Documents, Tax ID (NTN), and Menu/Inventory details.
• Financial Data: Bank account details for weekly payouts.

3. How We Use Your Data

We use your data for the following specific purposes:

1. Service Delivery: To connect Users with Captains and Partners (e.g., dispatching a taxi, delivering a parcel).
2. Safety & Security: To verify drivers (background checks) and track rides in real-time for passenger safety.
3. Communication: To send order updates, OTPs for verification, and promotional offers.
4. Legal Compliance: To comply with Pakistani laws, including retaining transaction logs for investigation under PECA 2016.
5. Customer Support: To resolve disputes between Users, Captains, and Partners.

4. Location Data Policy (Specific Disclosure)

For Dost Users: We collect your location only while the app is in use to find nearby shops, restaurants, or taxis.

For Dost Captains (Drivers):

IMPORTANT: The Dost Captain app collects location data from your device in the background (when the app is closed) to:

• Alert you to nearby ride/delivery requests.
• Allow customers to track their delivery/ride in real-time.
• Calculate fair fares based on actual distance traveled.

You can disable this in your device settings, but it will prevent you from receiving ride requests.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal data. We only share it in the following strict circumstances:

• Cross-App Sharing:
  • User to Captain: When a User books a ride, the Captain receives the User's pickup location and name.
  • User to Partner: When a User orders food, the Partner receives the order details and delivery address.
• Third-Party Services: We share data with trusted partners for:
  • Maps: Google Maps API for navigation.
  • SMS/OTP: Telecom operators for verifying mobile numbers.
  • Cloud Storage: Secure servers to store your profile.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose data to law enforcement agencies (FIA, Police) if required by a valid court order or under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.

6. Your Rights (User Control)

In accordance with global best practices and emerging data protection standards in Pakistan, you have the right to:

• Access/Update: You can edit your name, email, and address directly in the app settings.
• Delete Account: You can request account deletion via the App Settings > Account > Delete Account.
  • Note: We may retain certain transaction records for a period required by law (financial auditing) even after deletion.
• Permissions: You can revoke access to Camera, Location, or Contacts at any time via your phone settings.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encryption during transit (HTTPS) and secure storage. However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet is 100% safe.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we discover such data, we will delete it immediately.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Data Protection Officer:

• Company Name: VOH Technologies (SMC-Private) Limited
• Email: support@dost.pk (Replace with your actual email)
• Address: [Insert your Pakistan Office Address]

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our services or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes through an in-app notification.