1. Introduction & Scope
Provara ('we', 'our', or 'us') is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data. This comprehensive Privacy Policy explains how we collect, process, store, share, and protect information about our users ('you', 'Customer', 'Provider') when you access or use the Provara mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the 'Platform'). By creating an account or using the Platform, you expressly consent to the data practices described in this document.
2. Information We Collect
To operate our marketplace and ensure safety, we collect several categories of information:
• Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Your full legal name, email address, phone number, date of birth, and profile photographs.
• KYC & Verification Data (Providers Only): To maintain platform safety, Providers must submit government-issued identification (National ID, NIN, Passport, Driver's License) and professional certifications during the onboarding process. This data is reviewed manually by our Trust & Safety team.
• Financial & Escrow Data: We collect Provide details (Bank Name, Account Number) from Providers for payout routing. For Customers, payment card details are processed directly by our secure third-party payment gateway (Paystack). Provara DOES NOT store your full credit card numbers on our servers.
• Real-Time Location Data: We collect precise and approximate geolocation data from your device. For Customers, this is used to show nearby Providers. For Providers, background location tracking is utilized ONLY during an active 'On The Way' or 'In Progress' booking to allow the Customer to track arrival.
• Device & Usage Data: We automatically collect IP addresses, device types, operating systems, crash reports, and usage metrics (such as clicks, reel views, and search history) to optimize platform performance.
3. How We Use Your Information
We process your personal data for the following essential business purposes:
• To facilitate and manage bookings between Customers and independent Providers.
• To process secure escrow payments, calculate platform fees, and disburse earnings.
• To verify identities and perform background/KYC checks to prevent fraud, impersonation, or illicit activities.
• To investigate and resolve disputes, including reviewing in-app chat logs and booking histories.
• To send transactional notifications (e.g., booking confirmations, arrival alerts, refund statuses) via email, SMS, and Push Notifications.
• To personalize your experience, such as recommending relevant services or local professionals.
4. Legal Basis for Processing (NDPR & GDPR Compliance)
We process your personal data under the following legal bases: (a) Contractual Necessity: to fulfill our Terms of Use and facilitate bookings; (b) Legal Obligation: to comply with financial regulations, tax reporting, and anti-money laundering (AML) laws; (c) Legitimate Interest: to improve our platform security and optimize user experience; and (d) Consent: for marketing communications and precise location tracking, which you may revoke at any time.
5. How We Share Your Information
PROVARA STRICTLY DOES NOT SELL YOUR PERSONAL DATA TO THIRD PARTIES FOR ADVERTISING. We only share data under these strict circumstances:
• Between Users: When a booking is confirmed, we share the Customer's name, general location, and required service details with the Provider. The Customer receives the Provider's name, profile photo, and real-time location. PRIVATE PHONE NUMBERS ARE NEVER EXPOSED; all communication must occur via our secure in-app chat.
• With Service Providers: We share limited data with trusted third-party vendors (e.g., Paystack for payments, AWS for cloud storage, Expo for push notifications) who are bound by strict data processing agreements.
• Law Enforcement & Safety: We will disclose your data if legally required by a court order, subpoena, or government request, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to prevent physical harm, financial fraud, or illegal acts.
6. Data Retention Policies
We retain your personal data only for as long as your account is active or as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Transactional records, escrow histories, and KYC verification documents may be retained for up to seven (7) years to comply with federal financial regulations, tax audits, and dispute resolution mandates, even if your account is closed.
7. Security Measures
We implement robust, industry-standard security measures, including AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.2+ for data in transit, and strict role-based access controls for our administration team. Despite our rigorous protocols, no system is entirely impenetrable. You acknowledge that you provide personal information at your own risk.
8. Your Privacy Rights & Controls
Depending on your jurisdiction, you possess specific rights regarding your data:
• Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You may update or correct inaccurate data via your Profile Settings.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You may revoke location permissions or opt out of marketing emails.
To exercise these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer at provarasupport@gmail.com.
9. Account Deletion & Data Erasure
You have the right to request the complete deletion of your account. You can execute this directly within the App by navigating to Profile > Support & Safety > Delete Account. Upon requesting deletion, your profile will be immediately deactivated and removed from public view. However, please note that certain financial transaction logs and KYC records will be securely archived (not actively processed) for legal compliance purposes as mandated by financial authorities. This action is permanent and irreversible.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or our data handling practices, please contact our Legal & Privacy Team at:
Email: provarasupport@gmail.com
Attention: Data Protection Officer
