Privacy Policy

1. Who operates Zimbiznet

Zimbiznet is operated by Shawaai Partners, of Executive Chambers, 106c First Floor, Corner First Street and Silundika Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe. For privacy questions or requests, email support@zimbiznet.com.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use Zimbiznet, we may collect:

• account details, such as your name, email address and authentication information;
• profile and listing information, including business names, descriptions, addresses, locations, opening hours and categories;
• business and event content submitted for review or publication;
• contact details, such as telephone numbers, email addresses, websites, WhatsApp details and social links;
• uploaded images and videos, including related file information;
• communications you send to us, including support and moderation messages;
• technical and device information, such as IP address, browser type, device type, request logs and security events; and
• your marketing preference.

Please do not submit personal information that is not needed for your account, listing or event.

3. Information made public

Zimbiznet is a public business directory. Business profiles, event listings, contact details and uploaded media submitted for publication may be visible to anyone, including people who are not signed in. Only submit information you are authorised and comfortable to publish.

4. How and why we use information

We use personal information to:

• create and manage accounts;
• operate the directory and display approved business and event content;
• review, moderate and administer listings and events;
• respond to support requests and communications;
• protect accounts, maintain security and prevent fraud, spam and misuse;
• send essential service messages about accounts, listings, events or changes to the service; and
• send optional Zimbiznet news and marketing emails only where consent has been given and such messages are introduced.

5. Our lawful bases

Zim data protection law requires a lawful reason for using personal information. The reasons we may rely on are:

• Contract: to create your account and provide the directory features you ask us to provide.
• Legal obligations: where we need to keep records or respond to a lawful request.
• Legitimate interests: to operate, improve and secure the directory, review submissions, support users and prevent misuse, where those interests are not overridden by your rights.
• Consent: for optional marketing. You may withdraw this consent at any time.

6. Service providers and sharing

We may share information with service providers only where needed to run Zimbiznet. These may include Vercel for website hosting, Supabase for database, authentication and file storage, Cloudinary for media processing or storage where video features are used, Mapbox for maps where enabled, and Resend for essential transactional email where configured. Providers may receive technical information needed to deliver their services.

We may also disclose information where required by law, to protect legal rights or safety, or in connection with a genuine reorganisation or transfer of the service. We do not sell personal information.

7. International transfers

Some service providers may process information outside of Zimbabwe. Where this happens, we will take reasonable steps to use an appropriate lawful transfer mechanism, such as an adequacy regulation or approved contractual safeguards, as applicable. The exact arrangements depend on the provider and processing involved.

8. How long we keep information

Account data is generally kept while an account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards. Public listings and events may remain available until they are removed, expire, or the relevant account or listing is deleted. We may retain limited legal, moderation, security, backup or fraud-prevention records for longer where reasonably needed. Retention periods depend on the type of information and why it is held.

9. Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to access your personal information, correct it, ask for deletion, restrict its use, object to its use, and receive certain information in a portable format. You may withdraw marketing consent at any time without affecting earlier lawful processing.

To exercise a right, contact support@zimbiznet.com. We may need to confirm your identity. You may also complain to the Zim Information Commissioner's Office.

10. Security

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures intended to protect personal information. No website, transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

11. Children

Zimbiznet is not intended for people under 18. We do not knowingly offer accounts to children. A suitable age-appropriate process and updated notices would be needed before this changes.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as Zimbiznet changes or legal requirements develop. The revised version will be published here with an updated effective date. Significant changes may also be communicated through the service where appropriate.