Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Agora Connect is a local business discovery platform for Nigeria. It helps people find businesses by category and location, and helps business owners present themselves through structured, verified listings.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, contact us at: info@agoraconnect.ng

2. Information we collect

a. Account information

When you register for an account (for example, as a business owner on the dashboard), we collect:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Password (stored in hashed form; we never store or see your plain password)

b. Business listing information

When you submit a business, we collect the details needed to build your listing, such as:

• Business name, tagline, and description
• Category and city or location
• Business phone number and WhatsApp number
• Business email and website
• Social media links (such as Instagram)
• Logo and gallery photos you upload
• Opening hours

Most of this information is intended for public display on your listing once approved. See section 5 below.

c. Comments and reports

If you leave a comment on a business listing, we collect the name you provide and the text of your comment. Both are displayed publicly with the listing after moderation. If you report a listing, we collect the reason, any details you provide, and your name if you include it.

d. Contact and support messages

When you contact us through a form or by email, we collect your name, email address, and the contents of your message so we can respond.

e. Information collected automatically

When you use our websites, we may collect certain technical information automatically, such as:

• IP address
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referral sources
• General usage and performance data

3. Cookies and sessions

We use cookies that are necessary for the platform to work. When you log in to an Agora Connect service, we set session cookies that keep you signed in securely. These cookies are httpOnly (not readable by scripts in your browser) and are scoped to the specific Agora Connect service you signed in to. Each service (directory, dashboard, admin) uses its own separate login session.

We do not use advertising cookies. If we introduce analytics cookies in the future, we will update this Policy first.

4. How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

• Create and manage accounts, and keep logins secure
• Review, publish, and manage business listings
• Display approved listings, comments, and related content publicly
• Moderate comments and investigate reports
• Notify business owners about the status of their submissions
• Respond to inquiries and support requests
• Improve site performance and security
• Prevent misuse, spam, and fraud
• Maintain the quality and trustworthiness of the directory
• Comply with legal obligations

5. Information that appears publicly

Agora Connect is a public directory. Once a listing is approved, the business information submitted for display (business name, category, location, description, contact details, social links, logo, and photos) is visible to anyone. Comments, together with the name provided by the commenter, are also public after moderation.

Your account password and personal account details are never displayed publicly. Reports are not public; they go to our moderation team.

6. When we may share information

We do not sell personal information.

We may share information only where necessary, including:

• With service providers who help us run the platform, such as hosting, image storage, and email delivery providers
• With professional advisers where required
• Where disclosure is required by law or legal authority
• Where needed to protect our rights and platform integrity
• In connection with a business transfer or restructuring

7. Security

We take reasonable technical measures to protect your information. Passwords are stored using industry-standard hashing, login sessions use secure cookies, connections are encrypted in transit, and access to administrative tools is restricted to authorized team members. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to keep risks low and will act quickly if an issue is found.

8. Data retention

We keep account information while your account is active, and listing information while the listing is published or under review. If you request removal of your account or listing, we delete or anonymize the related personal information within a reasonable period, except where we need to keep it to meet legal obligations or resolve disputes.

9. Your choices and rights

Depending on applicable law, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, you may request to:

• Access personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion where appropriate
• Object to or limit certain processing
• Withdraw consent where applicable

To make a request, contact us at info@agoraconnect.ng. We may need to verify your identity or business ownership before acting on a request.

10. Children

Agora Connect accounts and business listings are intended for adults aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will remove it.

11. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the platform grows. When we make material changes, we will update the date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify account holders. Continued use of Agora Connect after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.

12. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at: info@agoraconnect.ng