Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Kuzana Accelerator Limited ("Kuzana", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects personal data when you use Kuzana Connect ("the Platform"). We are committed to handling your data in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2019 of Kenya.

By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. Who We Are (Data Controller)

Kuzana Connect is operated by Kuzana Accelerator Limited, Spring Valley Rd, Nairobi, Kenya. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act, 2019, we are the data controller of the personal data described here.

Contact for data matters: info@kuzana.co

3. What Data We Collect

Information you provide:

• Your name
• Your WhatsApp number (used for registration and verification)
• Your email address
• Profile information: your role or title, business name, location, industry, what you offer, what you are looking for, a short intro, links, and a profile photo
• Your contact preferences (which channels other members may use to reach you)

Information collected automatically:

• Basic technical data necessary to operate the service (for example, session and security information)
• Search queries you make on the Platform (stored without linking them to your identity)

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data (such as health, religious, or political information). Please do not include such information in your profile.

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data to:

• Create and manage your account and member profile;
• Verify your identity via a one-time code sent to your WhatsApp number;
• Make your profile discoverable to other members according to your contact preferences;
• Enable members to find and connect with one another;
• Operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Platform;
• Communicate with you about your account, the service, or the community;
• Comply with legal obligations.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the basis of:

• Your consent, which you give by registering and setting up your profile;
• Performance of our service to you as a member;
• Our legitimate interests in operating and securing the Platform;
• Legal obligations where applicable.

You may withdraw consent at any time by deleting your account, though this may prevent you from using the Platform.

6. What Other Members Can See

6.1. Your profile, including your name, role, business, location, industry, offerings, what you are looking for, intro, links, and photo, is visible to other members of the Platform.

6.2. Your WhatsApp number and email are only shared according to your contact preferences. If you disable a channel, that contact detail is not shown to other members. Your links are treated as public professional information and are always visible.

6.3. Please only include information in your profile that you are comfortable making visible to other members.

7. How We Share Data

We do not sell your personal data. We share it only as follows:

• With other members, as described in Section 6;
• With service providers who help us operate the Platform (for example, hosting, cloud storage, and the WhatsApp messaging provider used to send verification codes). These providers process data on our behalf under appropriate obligations;
• Where required by law, or to protect our rights, safety, or property, or those of others;
• In connection with a business transfer (such as a merger or acquisition), subject to this policy.

8. Data Storage and Security

8.1. Your data is stored on secured servers. Profile photos are stored using a cloud storage provider.

8.2. Some of our service providers may process or store data outside Kenya. Where this occurs, we take steps intended to ensure appropriate protection consistent with applicable law.

8.3. We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including encryption of connections and access controls. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Data Retention

9.1. We retain your personal data while your account is active.

9.2. When you delete your account, your profile is removed from discovery. We may retain certain data for a limited period where necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, or enforce our agreements, after which it is deleted or anonymised.

9.3. Search queries are stored without identifying information and may be retained in aggregate to improve the service.

10. Your Rights

Under the Data Protection Act, 2019, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you;
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data (you can edit most of this directly in your profile);
• Delete your data (you can delete your account at any time);
• Object to or restrict certain processing;
• Data portability, where applicable;
• Withdraw consent at any time;
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@kuzana.co. We will respond within the timeframes required by law.

11. Children

The Platform is not intended for anyone under 18, and we do not knowingly collect data from children. If we learn that we have, we will delete it.

12. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Platform uses cookies and similar technologies that are strictly necessary for it to function, for example, to keep you logged in and to protect your session. These are essential and cannot be turned off without affecting core features like signing in.

We may also use privacy-friendly analytics to understand how the Platform is used and to improve it. We do not use cookies for advertising, and we do not sell your data.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings, though disabling essential cookies may prevent you from logging in.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a revised "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, notify you.

14. Contact

For any questions about this policy or your personal data: info@kuzana.co, Kuzana Accelerator Limited, Spring Valley Rd, Nairobi, Kenya.