Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how the practice of Dr. Ande Soumya, Consultant Psychiatrist ("we", "us"), operating this website drsoumyaande.com, collects, uses, stores and protects your personal data. We act as a Data Fiduciary under India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), and we handle mental-health information in line with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
1. Information we collect
- Appointment / contact requests: your name, phone number, email, preferred date/time and any message you choose to send, so we can schedule and confirm your consultation.
- Self-assessment tools & mood check-ins: these run entirely in your own browser. Your answers are not transmitted to or stored on our server.
- Analytics: aggregated, non-identifying usage data via Google Analytics / Google Tag Manager (e.g. pages viewed, device type) to improve the website. You can block this using your browser or cookie settings.
2. Why we use your data (purpose & consent)
We process your personal data only for the specific purpose for which you provide it — primarily to arrange and deliver clinical care — and only with your consent. We keep clinical-care consent separate from any marketing consent. We will not repurpose data you gave us for one reason (for example, an appointment request) for a different reason (for example, promotional messages) without your explicit, separate opt-in.
3. Confidentiality of mental-health information
All consultations and clinical records are strictly confidential and are protected under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. We do not publish patient names, photographs, testimonials or any information that could identify a patient, and we do not release any patient information to third parties or media without your written consent.
4. Sharing and disclosure
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal data. We may share limited information only where strictly necessary (for example, with a service provider that helps operate the website, or where required by law). Any such provider is required to protect your data and use it only for the agreed purpose.
5. Data retention
We keep personal data only for as long as needed for the purpose it was collected, or as required by applicable medical-records and legal obligations, after which it is securely deleted or anonymised.
6. Your rights
Under the DPDP Act you have the right to:
- access a summary of the personal data we hold about you;
- request correction, completion or updating of inaccurate data;
- request erasure of your data where it is no longer required;
- withdraw consent at any time;
- raise a grievance about how your data is handled.
7. Children's data
For anyone under 18, we require verifiable consent from a parent or lawful guardian before collecting or processing personal data.
8. Cookies
We use only essential cookies and privacy-respecting analytics. You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings; blocking analytics cookies will not affect your ability to use the site.
9. Grievance & contact
For any privacy request or grievance — access, correction, erasure, or withdrawal of consent — please contact:
Dr. Ande Soumya
Sukoon Psychiatry Centre, Lane No 6, Road No. 12, NBT Nagar, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad — 500034
Phone: +91 844 838 1810
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above reflects the latest version.