Privacy Policy

Shoplace is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our website at shoplace.co.ke and related services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

Information you provide to us:

• Full name, email address, and phone number when you create an account
• County and constituency for location-based services
• Shop details including shop name, description, category, and address
• Product and service listings you create
• Profile photos and product images you upload

Information collected automatically:

• Device type and browser information
• Pages you visit and features you use on Shoplace
• IP address and general location data
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your Shoplace account
• Display your shop, products, and services to buyers
• Connect buyers and sellers across Kenya
• Send important account notifications and updates
• Improve our platform and user experience
• Prevent fraud and ensure platform safety
• Comply with legal obligations
• Display relevant advertisements through Google AdSense

3. Information We Share

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Publicly visible information: Your shop name, products, services, county, and contact details you provide are visible to other Shoplace users
• Service providers: We use Supabase for data storage and Google services for authentication and advertising
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users
• Business transfer: In the event of a merger or acquisition, your information may be transferred

4. Google AdSense and Advertising

Shoplace uses Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google may use cookies and similar technologies to show you relevant ads based on your browsing history and interests. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting adssettings.google.com.

Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visits to Shoplace and other websites on the internet.

5. Cookies

We use cookies to keep you logged in, remember your preferences, and improve your experience. We also use Google Analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our site. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect some features of Shoplace.

6. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. Your account is protected by a password, and we use industry-standard encryption for data transmission. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your account and personal data
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@shoplace.co.ke.

9. Children's Privacy

Shoplace is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

10. Third-Party Links

Shoplace may contain links to external websites including seller social media pages and WhatsApp. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on our website or sending an email to your registered address. Your continued use of Shoplace after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us: