Identity and verification policy

Who must verify

Every account verifies a unique mobile number for marketplace participation. Every adult traveler and each disclosed co-host or service participant must use their own linked account and obtain approved government-ID status before booking approval. The primary host must pass required checks before listing publication.

Current manual process

Authorized administrators manually review supported government photo-ID evidence and record approved, changes-required or rejected status. Supported categories may include passport, driving licence, voter ID and another specifically accepted government photo ID. Documents open only through administrator-scoped, non-cached routes.

Aadhaar

Do not upload an unmasked Aadhaar number or ordinary photocopy. Village Miles does not currently operate Aadhaar authentication or claim registered Offline Verification Seeking Entity status. A future Aadhaar option must use a lawful, consent-based UIDAI method designed to avoid collecting or storing the full Aadhaar number.

Property and residency

Property or residency evidence may include an appropriate utility bill, ownership record, lawful rental/permission agreement or another credible local document. These checks remain deferred in the current MVP and must not be displayed as approved unless actually reviewed. Identity approval alone does not prove authority to offer a property.

Privacy and disclosure

Other users see verification status and disclosed role—not phone number, email, document image, selfie or document number. The pilot accepts passport, driving licence, voter ID, or masked Aadhaar through a short-lived account-bound capture session and one guided selfie. Full Aadhaar is not accepted. Evidence is available only through an administrator-authorized, audited, non-cached review route. Final post-decision evidence retention and deletion timing must be set before external identity testing. A booking shows the named Host and selected Co-hosts for that stay. A Host may have no more than two Co-hosts.

Limits and appeals

Verification can detect some inconsistencies but cannot guarantee identity, character, ownership, legal authority or safety. Village Miles may request a clearer document, suspend status after credible evidence, or reject suspected fraud. A general appeal and privacy-request channel must be operational before public launch.