Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY FOR VALUEFINDERS
Effective Date: February 01, 2026
Last Updated: February 24, 2026

1. INTRODUCTION ValueFinders ("the Company," "we," "us," or "our") operates the ValueFinders mobile application and website (collectively, the "Platform"). We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users ("Users," "you," or "your"), including both service seekers ("Clients") and service providers ("Artisans"). This Privacy Policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal data. By accessing or using our Platform, you consent to the data practices described in this Policy.

2. DATA CONTROLLER For the purposes of applicable data protection laws, ValueFinders acts as the Data Controller. We determine the purposes and means of processing personal data collected through the Platform to facilitate professional connections.

3. CATEGORIES OF DATA COLLECTED To maintain a secure and functional marketplace, we collect the following categories of information:
* Personal Identification Information: Legal name, date of birth, gender, and government-issued identification (primarily for Artisan verification).
* Contact Information: Valid email address, verified mobile phone number, and physical or business address.
* Professional Data (Artisans): Trade certifications, skill sets, portfolio images, work history, and references.
* Geolocation Data: Real-time precise location via GPS (subject to device permissions) to facilitate proximity-based matching between Clients and Artisans.
* Financial Information: Bank account details for disbursements (Artisans) and encrypted billing information (Clients) processed via PCI-DSS compliant third-party gateways.
* Technical Data: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, and operating system logs.

4. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING We process your data under the following legal frameworks:
* Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our obligations in connecting Clients with Artisans.
* Consent: Where you have explicitly granted permission (e.g., marketing or GPS tracking).
* Legal Obligation: To comply with statutory requirements, tax laws, or law enforcement requests.
* Legitimate Interest: To detect fraud, ensure platform security, and improve our service offerings.

5. USE OF PERSONAL DATA The Company utilizes collected data for the following formal purposes:
* Service Facilitation: Verifying identities and facilitating the booking of technical services.
* Trust and Safety: Conducting background checks and maintaining a peer-review rating system.
* Communication: Sending transactional notifications, administrative alerts, and support responses.
* Monetization: Processing service fees, commissions, and tax documentation.
* Analytics: Monitoring platform performance and user behavior to optimize the User Experience (UX).

6. DATA SHARING AND DISCLOSURE ValueFinders does not engage in the sale of personal data. Disclosure is strictly limited to:
* Operational Necessity: Sharing a Client’s location with an Artisan once a job is accepted, and sharing an Artisan’s credentials with a Client.
* Third-Party Service Providers: Cloud infrastructure providers, payment processors, and automated KYC (Know Your Customer) verification services.
* Legal Compulsion: Compliance with court orders, subpoenas, or regulatory audits by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

7. DATA RETENTION AND SECURITY
* Retention: Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy or to comply with legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
* Security Measures: We employ robust technical and organizational measures, including End-to-End Encryption (E2EE), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and regular vulnerability assessments to safeguard against unauthorized access or data breaches.

8. USER RIGHTS AND CHOICES Under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and similar global frameworks, you possess the following rights:
* Right of Access: To request a copy of the personal data held by the Company.
* Right to Rectification: To update or correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
* Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): To request the deletion of account data, subject to legal retention requirements.
* Right to Object: To opt-out of automated decision-making and direct marketing.

9. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES Our Platform utilizes cookies to enhance session management and security. Users may configure their browser settings to refuse cookies; however, this may impair the functionality of certain Platform features.

10. AMENDMENTS TO THIS POLICY ValueFinders reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at its sole discretion. Users will be notified of material changes via the Platform interface or registered email. Continued use of the Platform following such modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

11. CONTACT AND GRIEVANCES For inquiries, data requests, or complaints regarding our privacy practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO): Legal Department – ValueFinders Email: legal@valuefinders.com Office Address: B17/18 Behind Arts and Culture Center, Opposite Conoil Area 10 Abuja, F.C.T