Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Name, email address, phone number, and business address
• Company information including business registration details
• Financial information for payment processing
• Government-issued identification for verification purposes
• Profile photos and business documentation

1.2 Business Information

We collect information about your business activities including:

• Product listings, descriptions, and pricing
• Transaction history and order details
• Communication with other users on the platform
• Reviews, ratings, and feedback
• Trade preferences and business requirements

1.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information:

• IP address, browser type, and device information
• Usage data and platform interaction patterns
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• Location data (with your consent)
• Log files and error reports

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Platform Services

• Create and manage your account
• Facilitate trade transactions and communications
• Process payments and manage invoices
• Verify business credentials and prevent fraud
• Provide customer support and resolve disputes

2.2 Platform Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
• Develop new features and functionality
• Conduct research and analytics
• Ensure platform security and prevent abuse

2.3 Communication

• Send transaction notifications and updates
• Provide customer support responses
• Share platform news and feature updates
• Send marketing communications (with consent)

3. Information Sharing

3.1 With Other Users

We share certain information to facilitate trade:

• Business profile information and contact details
• Product listings and trade offers
• Reviews, ratings, and transaction history
• Communication necessary for completing transactions

3.2 With Service Providers

We work with trusted third parties who help us operate our platform:

• Payment processors and financial institutions
• Logistics and shipping partners
• Identity verification services
• Cloud hosting and data storage providers
• Customer support and communication tools

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal obligations and court orders
• Protect our rights and prevent fraud
• Ensure platform safety and security
• Cooperate with law enforcement investigations

4. Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

• End-to-end encryption for sensitive data transmission
• Secure data centers with 24/7 monitoring
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• Multi-factor authentication for account access
• Employee training on data protection practices
• Incident response procedures for security breaches

5. Your Rights and Choices

5.1 Access and Control

You have the right to:

• Access and review your personal information
• Update or correct inaccurate data
• Delete your account and associated data
• Export your data in a portable format
• Restrict certain uses of your information

5.2 Communication Preferences

• Opt out of marketing communications
• Choose notification preferences
• Control cookie settings
• Manage location sharing permissions

6. International Data Transfers

As a pan-African platform, we may transfer your data across borders within Africa and to other countries where our service providers operate. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:

• Adequacy decisions by relevant data protection authorities
• Standard contractual clauses with service providers
• Binding corporate rules for intra-group transfers
• Your explicit consent where required

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services and maintain your account
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Prevent fraud and ensure platform security

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes.

8. Children's Privacy

Our platform is designed for business use and is not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child, we will delete it promptly.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Sending email notifications to registered users
• Displaying prominent notices on our platform