Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

• Account information — your name, email address, phone number, password, and profile photo when you register or update your profile.
• Listing information — details, photos, pricing, category, and location you provide when creating a listing.
• Offers, orders & messages — offers you make or receive, order and transaction details, and messages exchanged with other users through the Platform.
• Location information — the location of items you list, and pickup, delivery, or transport addresses you provide.
• Device & usage information — device type, operating system, app version, IP address, and general usage and crash data that helps us keep the Platform reliable.
• Support communications — information you share with us when you contact our support team or report an issue.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage your account and provide the core features of the Platform.
• Display your listings and connect you with other buyers and sellers.
• Facilitate offers, transactions, and communication between users.
• Send you notifications about offers, messages, orders, and account activity (you can manage these in Notification Settings).
• Maintain the safety, security, and integrity of the Platform, including detecting and preventing fraud and abuse.
• Respond to support requests and improve our services.
• Comply with applicable laws and enforce our Terms of Use.

3. How We Share Information

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

• With other users — when you make or accept an offer, certain details (such as your name, profile photo, listing location, and contact or delivery details) are shared with the other party so the transaction can be completed. What you choose to share directly with another user during a deal is your responsibility.
• With service providers — companies that help us run the Platform, such as cloud hosting and database providers, mapping and location services, push notification providers, and (where applicable) payment and transport partners. These providers may only use your information to perform services for us.
• For legal reasons — where required to comply with the law, respond to a valid legal request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of yalla, our users, or the public.
• Business transfers — if yalla is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Platform to you. We may also retain and use information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and maintain accurate records of completed transactions.

If you delete your account, we will remove or anonymise your personal information within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (for example, fraud prevention or dispute resolution).

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard technical and organisational measures — including encryption in transit and access controls — to help protect your information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Request that we correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal and legitimate business retention needs.
• Object to, or ask us to restrict, certain processing of your information.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, without affecting prior lawful processing.

7. Cookies & Similar Technologies

When you use the yalla website, we may use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the Platform is used. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though some features may not work correctly if cookies are disabled.

8. Children's Privacy

yalla is open to users of all ages. We are mindful when handling the personal information of younger users and collect only what is needed to provide the Platform. If a parent or guardian would like a child's information removed, they can contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

9. Third-Party Links & Services

Listings, messages, or maps may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information to them.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the Platform or by other reasonable means. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was last revised.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, or if you wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact us at privacy@yallasa.co.za.