Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 25, 2026
Last Updated: March 25, 2026

At AfrikChat, operated by Afrikwave LLC, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data with transparency and care. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your information when you use our platform at https://afrikchat.com (the "Site").

By using AfrikChat, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: When you register, we collect your name, username, email address, password, and optionally your profile photo, location, date of birth, and biographical information.
• Profile Information: Information you add to your profile, such as work history, education, interests, and links to other social profiles.
• User Content: Posts, photos, videos, blogs, forum threads, comments, messages, and any other content you create or share on AfrikChat.
• Marketplace and Transaction Data: If you buy or sell through our marketplace, we collect transaction details, payment information (processed securely through our payment partners), shipping addresses, and communication with other users.
• Communications: When you contact our support team or communicate with other users through AfrikChat's messaging features.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Log Data: IP addresses, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and timestamps when you access AfrikChat.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.
• Usage Data: How you interact with the platform, including features used, content viewed, search queries, and engagement patterns.
• Location Data: If you grant permission, we may collect your approximate or precise location to provide location-based features.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to maintain your session, remember your preferences, and analyze platform usage. See Section 6 for more details.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

If you choose to connect a third-party account (such as Google or Facebook) to AfrikChat, we may receive information from that service as permitted by their privacy settings and terms. We may also receive information from our business partners and service providers in connection with platform operations.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the AfrikChat platform and its features.
• Create and manage your account and authenticate your identity.
• Personalize your experience, including your news feed and content recommendations.
• Process marketplace transactions, payments, and crowdfunding activities.
• Send you notifications about activity on your account, platform updates, and (where you have opted in) marketing communications.
• Respond to your support requests and communicate with you about your account.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security incidents, and technical issues.
• Analyze usage patterns to improve the platform and develop new features.
• Comply with applicable legal obligations.

3. How We Share Your Information

3.1 With Other Users

Your profile information, posts, and other content you share publicly on AfrikChat are visible to other users according to your privacy settings. Private messages are visible only to the intended recipients.

3.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating AfrikChat, including cloud hosting providers, payment processors (such as Stripe and PayPal), email delivery services, analytics providers, and customer support tools. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

3.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to: comply with applicable law or legal process; protect the rights, property, or safety of AfrikChat, our users, or the public; or detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues.

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice on the Site before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.

3.6 We Do Not Sell Your Data

AfrikChat does not sell your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes (such as resolving disputes or complying with legal obligations).

5. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data (subject to legal retention obligations).
• Portability: Request that we provide your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing.
• Restriction: Request that we restrict the processing of your data in certain circumstances.
• Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@afrikchat.com. We will respond within 30 days. For users in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

AfrikChat uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us recognize you, maintain your session, remember your preferences, and understand how you use our platform.

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the platform to function. These cannot be disabled.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences (such as language and theme).
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with AfrikChat to improve performance.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements (only where you have consented).

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL), secure password hashing, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. International Data Transfers

AfrikChat serves a global community, including users across Africa, Europe, North America, and beyond. Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) for international data transfers.

9. Children's Privacy

AfrikChat is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under this age. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@afrikchat.com.

10. GDPR and CCPA Compliance

10.1 For Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom

If you are located in the EEA or UK, our processing of your personal data is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or UK GDPR. Our legal bases for processing include: performance of a contract (providing our services), legitimate interests (improving the platform, preventing fraud), compliance with legal obligations, and consent (where explicitly obtained). You have the rights described in Section 5 above.

10.2 For California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides you with specific rights regarding your personal information. You have the right to know what personal information we collect, disclose, or sell; the right to delete your personal information; and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights. As noted in Section 3.6, we do not sell personal information. To submit a CCPA request, contact us at privacy@afrikchat.com.

11. Third-Party Links

AfrikChat may contain links to third-party websites and services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through AfrikChat.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy on the Site and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of AfrikChat after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: privacy@afrikchat.com
• Support: https://afrikchat.com/contact
• Operator: Afrikwave LLC