Privacy Policy
Last updated: December 12, 2025
Welcome to Biashara Connect. 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 multi-vendor e-commerce platform.
By using Biashara Connect, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our platform.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
- Register for an account (name, email address, phone number)
- Make a purchase (billing and shipping addresses, payment information)
- Register as a vendor (business information, tax identification)
- Contact customer support
- Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications
1.2 Device and Usage Information
We automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our platform, including IP address, browser type, operating system, access times, pages viewed, and the page you visited before navigating to our platform.
1.3 Camera and Gallery Access
Our platform may request access to your device's camera and photo gallery for the following purposes:
- Vendors: To upload product images, business documentation, and inventory photos
- Customers: To upload profile pictures, product reviews with photos, and customer support inquiries
- Returns/Disputes: To document product issues or damages
Important: Camera and gallery access is optional and only requested when you initiate an action that requires image upload. You can deny these permissions and still use most features of our platform. Images are only uploaded when you explicitly choose to do so.
1.4 Transaction Information
We collect information about your transactions on our platform, including purchase history, vendor sales data, payment methods, and order details.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To create and manage your account
- To process transactions and send transaction notifications
- To facilitate communication between buyers and vendors
- To provide customer support and respond to inquiries
- To improve our platform and develop new features
- To send marketing communications (with your consent)
- To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
- To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
- To analyze usage patterns and optimize user experience
3. How We Share Your Information
3.1 With Vendors
When you make a purchase, we share necessary information (name, shipping address, contact details) with the relevant vendor to fulfill your order.
3.2 With Service Providers
We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including payment processing, shipping, data analysis, email delivery, and hosting services.
3.3 For Legal Reasons
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.
3.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
4. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Access controls and authentication mechanisms
- Secure payment processing through PCI-DSS compliant providers
- Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
5. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
- Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
- Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
- Restriction: Request restriction of processing your information
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing communications
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact section below.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our platform and store certain information. Cookies are files with small amounts of data that are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device.
You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our platform.
7. Third-Party Links
Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any information.
8. Children's Privacy
Our platform is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.
9. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Biashara Connect
Email: privacy@biasharaconnect.com
Phone: +254 XXX XXX XXX
Address: [Your Business Address]
13. Additional Information for Vendors
As a multi-vendor platform, vendors have additional responsibilities:
- Vendors are independent data controllers for customer information they collect through their stores
- Vendors must comply with applicable data protection laws
- Vendors are responsible for maintaining the security of their account credentials
- Vendors must not misuse customer information for unauthorized purposes
- Vendors should maintain their own privacy policies for their customers