Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to make trading safer and simpler:

Account Information

When you create an account, we may collect:

• Name: For your profile display
• Email address: For account notifications
• WhatsApp number: Verified for security and communication (never shared publicly)
• Password: Encrypted and securely stored
• District or general location: Your area for local trading

Identity Verification (KYC)

To help build a safer marketplace, some users may be asked to complete identity verification (Know Your Customer - KYC). Depending on the verification level, we may collect:

• National ID
• Passport
• Driver's Licence
• Selfie or identity verification photo
• Other documents required for verification

Listings

When you create a listing, we collect:

• Photos of items you're selling
• Descriptions of your items
• Prices and categories
• Location where the item is available

Automatically Collected

• Browser type and version
• Device type (phone, tablet, computer)
• IP address
• Cookies and tracking data
• Analytics on how you use the platform
• Crash reports to help us improve

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used for one purpose: making MalondaPlace work better for you.

• ✅ Create your account and manage your profile
• ✅ Verify your identity through WhatsApp and KYC
• ✅ Prevent fraud and detect fake accounts
• ✅ Improve search and recommend relevant listings
• ✅ Contact you about important account updates
• ✅ Improve platform performance and user experience
• ✅ Meet legal obligations in Malawi

We NEVER sell your data to third parties. Your information stays within MalondaPlace and trusted partners who help us operate the platform.

3. Verification & Trust

Trust is the foundation of MalondaPlace. Here's how we verify users and build a safer marketplace:

• WhatsApp Verification: Every seller verifies their WhatsApp number
• KYC Verification: Identity verification for added trust and security
• Verified Badge: Users who complete KYC receive a verified badge
• Fraud Prevention: Active monitoring to detect and remove fake accounts

4. Information Sharing

We share information only when necessary:

• With other users: Your name, verified badge, and listing details (photos, description, price, general location)
• With trusted partners: Only those helping us operate the platform (WhatsApp Business API, hosting services, verification partners)
• Legal reasons: Only if required by Malawian law or to protect users

What's Public vs. Private

Your WhatsApp number stays private. Buyers contact you through our click-to-WhatsApp feature without seeing your number.

5. Cookies

We use cookies to improve your experience on MalondaPlace:

• Keep you logged in so you don't have to re-enter credentials
• Remember preferences like your search filters
• Improve performance and load times
• Measure traffic and understand how users interact with the platform
• Detect abuse and prevent fraud

You can control cookie settings in your browser. However, disabling cookies may affect some platform features.

6. Security

We protect your information with industry-standard security measures:

• ✅ Encryption: All data encrypted with HTTPS
• ✅ Secure passwords: Hashed and salted
• ✅ Access controls: Limited access to personal data
• ✅ Server monitoring: 24/7 security monitoring
• ✅ Security updates: Regular patches and updates
• ✅ Fraud detection: Active monitoring for suspicious activity

While no platform is 100% secure, we take every reasonable measure to protect your data.

7. Data Retention

We keep information only as long as needed:

• Active accounts: While you're using MalondaPlace
• Inactive accounts: Deleted after 24 months
• Deleted accounts: All data removed within 30 days
• Listings: Removed when sold or deleted
• Verification documents: Retained only for legal compliance, fraud prevention, and marketplace safety

8. Your Rights

As a MalondaPlace user, you have these rights:

• Access: Request a copy of your data
• Correction: Update or correct your information
• Deletion: Delete your account anytime
• Export: Get your listing data in a portable format
• Withdraw consent: Where applicable, withdraw consent for data processing
• Document deletion: Request deletion of verification documents where legally permitted

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@malondaplace.com. We'll respond within 30 days.

9. Third Parties

We work with trusted partners to operate MalondaPlace:

• Google Analytics: To understand platform usage
• WhatsApp Business API: For communication
• Cloud hosting: To store and serve data securely
• Email providers: For account notifications

These partners are carefully selected and only access data necessary for their specific role.

10. Children's Privacy

MalondaPlace is intended for users aged 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover that a user is under 18, we will delete their account and all associated data.

11. Policy Updates

We'll tell you about important changes:

• Updates posted here with new "Last Updated" date
• Major changes sent via WhatsApp or email
• Using MalondaPlace means accepting updates

12. Contact Us

Questions? Contact our Lilongwe team:

• Email: support@malondaplace.com
• WhatsApp: 24/7 support
• Address: Lilongwe, Malawi

We respond to all privacy questions within 48 hours.