Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Information We Collect
- 3. How We Use Your Information
- 4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
- 5. Data Security
- 6. Your Rights and Choices
- 7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
- 8. Third-Party Services
- 9. Data Retention
- 10. International Data Transfers
- 11. Children's Privacy
- 12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
- 13. Contact Information
1. Introduction
Welcome to TradeZone GH! TradeZone GH is the smarter way to buy, sell, and connect with people across Ghana. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and related services.
By using TradeZone GH, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information You Provide
When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:
- Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, and password
- Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, location (city/region in Ghana)
- Listing Information: Product details, descriptions, photos, pricing, and location
- Communication Data: Messages sent through our chat system
- Verification Data: Information used to verify your identity for safer transactions
- Support Information: Details provided when you contact customer support
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
We automatically collect certain information when you use our app:
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
- Usage Data: App usage patterns, features accessed, time spent on different sections
- Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address (with your permission)
- Analytics Data: View counts, interaction metrics for your listings
- Log Information: Access times, pages viewed, app crashes, and system activity
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from:
- Social media platforms (if you connect your accounts)
- Payment processors (for transaction verification)
- Identity verification services
- Analytics and advertising partners
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to provide, maintain, and improve our services:
3.1 Core Services
- Create and manage your account
- Enable listing creation and management
- Facilitate communication between buyers and sellers
- Process and display search results
- Show trending items and personalized recommendations
- Provide real-time notifications and updates
3.2 Safety and Security
- Verify user identities for safer transactions
- Detect and prevent fraud, spam, and abuse
- Monitor for suspicious activity
- Resolve disputes between users
- Comply with legal obligations
3.3 Improvement and Analytics
- Analyze app usage to improve user experience
- Develop new features and services
- Provide analytics for your listings
- Conduct research and development
- Optimize app performance
3.4 Communication
- Send important service announcements
- Provide customer support
- Send promotional content (with your consent)
- Notify about account activity and security
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
4.1 With Other Users
Certain information is visible to other users as part of our marketplace functionality:
- Profile information (name, photo, location, ratings)
- Listing details and photos
- Messages sent through our chat system
- User ratings and reviews
4.2 Service Providers
We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:
- Cloud storage and hosting providers
- Analytics and performance monitoring services
- Customer support platforms
- Payment processing services
- Identity verification services
- Push notification services
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law or to:
- Comply with legal processes or government requests
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Protect the rights, property, or safety of our users
- Investigate fraud or security issues
- Enforce our Terms of Service
4.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control.
5. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:
5.1 Technical Safeguards
- End-to-end encryption for sensitive communications
- Secure data transmission using SSL/TLS protocols
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Secure cloud storage with access controls
- Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
5.2 Operational Safeguards
- Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
- Employee training on data protection and privacy
- Regular backup and disaster recovery procedures
- Incident response procedures for data breaches
- Third-party security certifications and compliance
6. Your Rights and Choices
You have several rights regarding your personal information:
6.1 Access and Control
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Update: Modify your profile and account information at any time
- Delete: Request deletion of your account and associated data
- Export: Download your data in a portable format
- Restrict: Limit how we process your information
6.2 Communication Preferences
- Opt out of promotional emails and notifications
- Control push notification settings
- Manage SMS and marketing communications
- Set chat and messaging preferences
6.3 Privacy Settings
- Control who can see your profile information
- Manage listing visibility and search preferences
- Set location sharing preferences
- Configure analytics and tracking options
8. Third-Party Services
Our app may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to these external services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our app.
8.1 Common Third-Party Integrations
- Social media platforms for account creation and sharing
- Payment processors for secure transactions
- Map services for location features
- Analytics services for app improvement
- Customer support platforms
9. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:
- Account Information: Retained while your account is active
- Listing Data: Kept for analytics and historical purposes (anonymized after deletion)
- Communication Records: Stored for dispute resolution and safety purposes
- Transaction History: Maintained for legal and accounting requirements
- Support Tickets: Kept for service improvement and follow-up
When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than Ghana, including countries that may have different data protection laws. When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data.
10.1 Safeguards for International Transfers
- Standard contractual clauses approved by data protection authorities
- Adequacy decisions by relevant data protection authorities
- Certification schemes and codes of conduct
- Additional security measures for sensitive data
11. Children's Privacy
If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information as quickly as possible. If you believe that we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
11.1 Teen Users (13-17)
Users between 13 and 17 years old may use our service with parental consent. We recommend that parents monitor their teen's use of our platform and help them understand online safety practices.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Notify you through the app or by email for significant changes
- Provide a summary of key changes when appropriate
- Give you the opportunity to review changes before they take effect
Your continued use of TradeZone GH after any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of such changes.
13. Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns you may have. We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days and work with you to address any issues.