Last updated: 30 September 2026
This policy explains how Kerala Business Forum ("KBF", "we") handles personal information when you use the KBF website (kbf.qa) and the KBF Qatar mobile app. KBF is a community of Kerala business people in Qatar. The app lets applicants apply for membership and lets members use their digital membership card, events, the member directory and the Privilege Club.
Information we collect
Your account: name, email address and password. Passwords are stored as secure hashes and we cannot read them.
Your membership application and profile:
- Personal details: photo, full name, gender, date of birth, blood group (optional) and native district.
- Contact details: email, mobile numbers in Qatar and India, residential addresses in Qatar and India.
- Business details: business name, designation, nature of business, number of companies, commercial registration (CR) number and copy, establishment card number and copy, date of incorporation.
- Identity documents: Qatar ID number, expiry date and copy; passport number, expiry date and copy.
- Who referred you: their name and contact number.
Membership records: membership number, plan, start and end dates, application status, renewal requests and payment status. Membership fees are paid to KBF directly; the app does not collect card or bank details.
Events: the events you register for and your attendance.
Your device (app only): a push notification token, the platform (Android or iOS) and the app version, so we can send you notifications. If you turn on Face ID, fingerprint or passcode lock, this is handled by your phone; we never receive your biometric data.
Messages you send us, for example through the contact form.
The app uses your camera and photo library only when you choose to add a profile photo or upload a document.
How we use it
- To review your application and manage your membership, renewals and records.
- To issue your digital membership card and let others verify it.
- To run events, the member directory and the Privilege Club.
- To send you service messages by email and app notification, such as application updates, renewal reminders, document expiry reminders and event updates. You can turn app notifications off at any time.
- To keep the service secure and meet our legal obligations in Qatar.
We do not sell your information, we do not show advertising, and the app contains no advertising or third-party analytics.
Who can see your information
- KBF administrators and committee members who manage membership.
- Other approved members can see your directory listing: name, photo, business name, designation and business contact details. Your identity documents, date of birth and home addresses are never shown in the directory.
- Anyone who scans the QR code on your card sees your name, photo, business name and whether your membership is valid.
- Service providers that run the service for us: our hosting provider, our email provider, and Google Firebase Cloud Messaging, which delivers app notifications and receives your device token and the notification text.
- Authorities, when the law requires it.
How we protect it
Information is sent over encrypted connections (HTTPS). Uploaded documents are stored as private files that only you and KBF administrators can open. The app keeps its sign-in key in your phone's secure storage (Keychain on iPhone, Keystore on Android).
How long we keep it
We keep your information while you are an applicant or member, and afterwards only as long as needed for KBF's records and legal obligations. When you delete your account we remove or anonymise your personal information, except records we must keep by law.
Your choices
- View and update your profile in the app or on the website. Some changes are reviewed by KBF before they apply.
- Turn app notifications on or off in the app (More → Push notifications) or in your phone's settings.
- Delete your account in the app (More → Delete account) or by following these steps.
- Ask us for a copy of your information, or to correct it, by contacting us.
Children
KBF membership, the website and the app are for adults aged 18 and over.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy. The date at the top shows when it last changed, and we will tell members about important changes.
Contact us
Kerala Business Forum
Email: info@kbf.qa