Privacy Policy for CerealSoko

Effective Date: May 06, 2025

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our Services, especially for farmers, traders, and customers, including those using simple phones ("kabambe") or smartphones.

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: When you sign up for our app, website, or in-store services, we may collect:
  • Your name, phone number, email address (if provided), and physical address (e.g., village or county).
  • For farmers or traders: Farm or business details, such as crop types, quantities, or market preferences.
• Transaction Information: When you buy or sell through our stores, app, or website, we collect:
  • Details of products bought or sold (e.g., crops, inputs, or goods).
  • Payment details (e.g., mobile money like M-Pesa, bank cards, or cash), processed securely via trusted partners.
  • Delivery or pickup details, such as market or store locations.
• Loyalty or Rewards Program: If you join our rewards program, we collect your name, phone number, and purchase/sale history to offer discounts or benefits.
• Feedback and Support: When you contact us (e.g., via SMS, WhatsApp, phone, or in-store), we collect your contact details and communication records to assist you.
• User Content: If you share reviews, photos, or feedback about products, markets, or our Services, we collect that content.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device and Usage Data: When you use our app or website, we collect:
  • Basic device information (e.g., phone type, operating system, or network provider).
  • Usage details (e.g., products viewed, time spent on the app, or features used).
  • For simple phones, we may collect data via SMS or USSD interactions (e.g., menu selections).
• Location Data: With your permission, our app may collect your approximate location (e.g., county or market area) to:
  • Connect you to nearby buyers, sellers, or stores.
  • Offer location-based services, like market price updates or store locators.
  • You can disable location sharing in your phone settings or opt out via SMS/USSD.
• Cookies and Tracking: Our website uses cookies to track activity (e.g., items viewed). If you use a simple phone, we do not use cookies but may track SMS/USSD interactions. You can manage cookie preferences on our website.
• In-Store Technologies: In our stores or market hubs, we may use:
  • Security cameras to ensure safety (images are not linked to personal data unless required by law).
  • Wi-Fi or beacon technology to track anonymized foot traffic and improve store operations.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Mobile Money Providers: We may receive transaction details from platforms like M-Pesa or Airtel Money to confirm payments.
• Cooperatives or Partners: If you are part of a farmers’ cooperative or trade group, we may receive your name, phone number, or farm details from them.
• Analytics Providers: We work with partners (e.g., Google Analytics) to collect anonymized data about app or website usage.
• Marketing Partners: We may receive aggregated data from advertising platforms to send you relevant offers.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to make our Services simple, trusted, and accessible, especially for farmers and traders in Kenya and East Africa. We use it to:

• Facilitate Transactions: Process your purchases, sales, or deliveries, and manage payments via mobile money, cards, or cash.
• Connect Markets: Help farmers and traders find buyers, sellers, or markets for crops, inputs, or goods.
• Personalize Services: Offer tailored recommendations, such as crop prices, farming tips, or discounts, based on your activity or location.
• Communicate with You: Send updates, confirmations, or support via SMS, WhatsApp, email, or phone. For simple phone users, we prioritize SMS or USSD.
• Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns to make our app, website, and stores better, including for users with basic phones.
• Marketing and Offers: Send you promotions or market updates (e.g., via SMS or app notifications) with your consent. You can opt out at any time.
• Ensure Security: Protect our Services, detect fraud, and keep our stores and markets safe.
• Comply with Laws: Meet legal requirements under Kenyan and East African regulations.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We only share it in the following cases:

• Service Providers: We share data with trusted partners who help us run our Services, such as:
  • Mobile money providers (e.g., Safaricom for M-Pesa).
  • Delivery companies or logistics providers.
  • Cloud storage or IT providers.
  • These partners are required to protect your data and comply with data protection laws.
• Cooperatives or Market Partners: If you are part of a farmers’ group or market network, we may share your details to coordinate sales or deliveries.
• Analytics and Marketing Partners: We share anonymized data to understand trends or send relevant ads (e.g., via Google or local SMS platforms).
• Business Transfers: If we merge or sell parts of our business, your data may be transferred. We will inform you of such changes.
• Legal Requirements: We may share data to comply with Kenyan laws, respond to court orders, or protect our rights, customers, or the public.
• With Your Consent: We may share your data for other purposes if you agree (e.g., sharing your farm details with a buyer).

4. Your Choices and Rights

We respect your control over your data. You can:

• Update Your Information: Edit your account details via the app, website, or by contacting us (SMS, call, or in-store).
• Opt Out of Marketing: Stop receiving promotional SMS, emails, or notifications by:
  • Replying “STOP” to SMS messages.
  • Disabling notifications in the app.
  • Contacting us at cerealsoko@gmail.com.
• Disable Location Data: Turn off location sharing in your phone settings or opt out via SMS/USSD.
• Manage Cookies: Adjust cookie settings on our website (not applicable for simple phone users).
• Exercise Your Data Rights: Under Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019, you have the right to:
  • Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
  • Correct: Fix inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Delete: Ask us to delete your data (unless we need it for legal reasons, e.g., tax records).
  • Restrict: Limit how we use your data in certain cases.
  • Object: Stop us from using your data for marketing or profiling.
  • Portability: Request your data in a usable format.
• To exercise these rights, contact us at cerealsoko@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days, as required by Kenyan law.
• Simple Phone Users: If you use a kabambe, you can request data access or deletion via SMS or by visiting our stores. We are working to make this process seamless for you.

5. Data Security

We take strong measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption: We use secure encryption (e.g., SSL/TLS) for data sent through our app and website.
• Secure Payments: Mobile money and card payments are processed by trusted, secure partners (e.g., Safaricom, Visa). We do not store your payment details.
• Access Controls: Only authorized staff can access your data, and they are trained to keep it confidential.
• Simple Phone Security: For SMS or USSD users, we limit data collection and use secure channels to protect your information.

No system is 100% secure, but we work hard to keep your data safe. If you suspect a security issue, contact us immediately at cerealsoko@gmail.com.

6. Data Retention

We keep your data only as long as needed for the purposes in this Privacy Policy or as required by Kenyan law:

• Account data is kept while your account is active and for up to 1 year after closure, unless you request deletion.
• Transaction data is retained for 7 years to comply with tax and accounting laws.
• Marketing preferences are kept until you opt out.

When we no longer need your data, we delete or anonymize it securely.

7. International Data Transfers

If you use our Services in Kenya or East Africa, your data is primarily stored and processed in Kenya. However, some of our service providers (e.g., cloud or analytics providers) may be located outside East Africa (e.g., in the EU or US). When we transfer data internationally, we:

• Ensure compliance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act and EAC guidelines.
• Use contracts or safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses) to protect your data.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not designed for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we discover a child’s data has been collected, we will delete it immediately. If you believe a child has shared their data, contact us at cerealsoko@gmail.com.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our app, website, or stores may link to third-party services (e.g., M-Pesa, WhatsApp, or partner websites). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before sharing data.

10. Feedback and Improving Our Services

We are committed to making our Services work for everyone, including farmers using simple phones. If you try our app or Services, please share your experience! Your feedback helps us improve. Contact us via:

• SMS/WhatsApp: +254707296921
• Email: cerealsoko@gmail.com
• In-Store: Visit any CerealSoko location.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect new features, legal requirements, or feedback. We will notify you of changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website and app.
• Sending an SMS or app notification (where possible).
• Announcing changes in our stores or via community partners.

The updated policy takes effect on the date specified.

12. Contact Us

Asante sana for joining us to improve market access and trust across Kenya and East Africa! 🌾📲