Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to AfroConnect ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

By accessing or using AfroConnect, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please do not access the platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, user type (entrepreneur, investor, professional, company)
• Profile Information: Bio, location, website, social media links, professional experience, company details
• Type-Specific Information:
  • Entrepreneurs: Startup details, funding goals, pitch decks
  • Investors: Investment criteria, portfolio, ticket sizes
  • Professionals: Skills, rates, certifications, availability
  • Companies: Hiring needs, company size, culture
• Photos: Profile pictures and cover photos you upload
• Communications: Messages, opportunities posted, match requests

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on platform
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address
• Cookies: Session data, preferences, authentication tokens

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Provide personalized matching and recommendations
• Enable communication between users
• Display your profile to other users based on their search criteria
• Send important notifications about your account and matches
• Improve our platform and develop new features
• Ensure security and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Public Profile Information

Your profile information (name, bio, professional details, type-specific information) is visible to other authenticated users on the platform to facilitate networking and matching.

4.2 Private Information

We do NOT share your email address, phone number, or direct contact information publicly. These are only visible to you and are protected by our security policies.

4.3 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the platform (hosting, database, authentication). These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental request, or to protect our rights and safety.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• Encryption: All data transmission uses HTTPS/TLS encryption
• Authentication: Secure password hashing and session management
• Access Control: Row-level security policies restrict data access
• Storage: Data stored in secure, SOC 2 compliant infrastructure (Supabase)

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access: View all your personal data we have stored
• Edit: Update your profile information at any time
• Delete: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Export: Download a copy of your data
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
• Control Visibility: Manage what information is shown on your profile

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@afroconnect.io or use the settings in your account dashboard.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., preventing fraud, resolving disputes).

8. International Data Transfers

AfroConnect is designed for users worldwide. Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

9. Children's Privacy

AfroConnect is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

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