Privacy Policy for Uzakitu.com
Effective Date: January 27, 2026
At Uzakitu, we respect the privacy of our SMEs (Sellers) and their customers. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our platform. Uzakitu is a registered business operating under the laws of the Republic of Kenya.
1. Information We Collect
To provide our e-commerce infrastructure, we collect information in two categories:
A. SME (User) Information:
- Account Details: Name, business name, email address, phone number, and physical business location.
- Financial Information: Bank account details provided by the SME to facilitate payment settlements.
- Product Data: Images, descriptions, and pricing of products uploaded to the platform.
B. End-Customer Information:
When a customer makes a purchase, the platform collects their name, shipping address, and contact details.
Note: This data is collected solely to facilitate the transaction between the customer and the SME.
2. How We Use Information
We use the collected data to:
- Provide, operate, and maintain the Uzakitu platform.
- Process subscription payments for the Premium tier.
- Generate business analytics for SMEs to track their own performance.
- Send administrative emails, such as payment reminders for Premium accounts.
3. Data Ownership and Access (The "Privacy First" Clause)
- Customer Data Privacy: All data generated by an end-customer during a purchase is available only to the SME from which they bought. Uzakitu does not access this data for marketing purposes.
- No Data Selling: Uzakitu does not sell, rent, or trade SME or customer data to any third party.
- SME Content: All product information and branding remain the intellectual property of the SME.
4. Payment Processing and Security
- Bank Connections: Banking information is used strictly for connecting your Uzakitu store to your bank account for payouts.
- Security: We implement industry-standard encryption to protect your financial and personal data. While we strive for 100% security, no digital transmission is perfectly exempt from risk; we encourage SMEs to use strong, unique passwords.
5. Data Retention and Deactivation
- Premium Accounts: In the event of non-payment for a Premium subscription, we will send email reminders. If payment is not made within one month, the account will be deactivated.
- Data Preservation: Deactivation does not mean deletion. We will store your data (products, analytics, and customer history) securely so that it is fully available once the account is reactivated.
- Account Deletion: If you wish to permanently delete your account and all associated data, you may request this via email.
6. Disclosure of Data
We may only disclose your information if:
- Required by Kenyan law or a valid legal process (e.g., a court order).
- Necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Uzakitu, our users, or the public.
7. Your Rights under the Kenya Data Protection Act
Under the Data Protection Act (2019), you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Request the correction of inaccurate data.
- Object to the processing of your data.
- Request the deletion of your data (subject to legal or contractual obligations).
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. SMEs will be notified of significant changes via the email address associated with their account.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please reach out to us:
Email: hello@uzakitu.com