Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

eMaskani ("we", "us", "our") operates a two-sided property marketplace connecting clients looking for homes with vetted property hunters (scouts/agents). We also provide landlord tools, RentShield tenant screening, and M-Pesa payment services. This policy explains how we handle personal data when you use admin.emaskani.com and related eMaskani platforms.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use eMaskani, we may collect:

• Account details — name, email, phone number, password (stored securely hashed), and account type (customer, hunter, agent, landlord, etc.).
• Profile information — hunter bio, rates, hunt areas, ID verification documents, property listings, photos, and reviews.
• Hunt request data — area, unit type, budgets, availability dates, and bids you submit or receive.
• Payment data — M-Pesa phone numbers, transaction references, and payment status. We do not store your M-Pesa PIN.
• RentShield data — tenant names, phone numbers, default amounts, and search queries submitted through RentShield Index.
• Landlord / property data — property addresses, tenant records, billing, water readings, and SMS logs where you use our management dashboard.
• Usage data — pages visited, device/browser type, IP address, and cookies needed to keep you signed in and improve the service.

3. How we use your information

We use personal data to:

• Create and manage your account and authenticate you.
• Match clients with hunters — including showing hunt requests, bids, and contact details after a bid is accepted.
• Process M-Pesa payments for hunts, RentShield, subscriptions, and other platform fees.
• Send SMS and email notifications about bids, bookings, billing, and account activity.
• Verify hunter identities and moderate listings, reviews, and RentShield submissions.
• Operate property management features for landlords and agents (rent, invoices, receipts, reports).
• Improve security, prevent fraud, and comply with Kenyan law.

4. When we share information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information:

• Between marketplace users — when you accept a hunter's bid (or a hunter's bid is accepted), relevant contact details are shared so the hunt can proceed. Hunter profiles and ratings are visible to other users as part of the marketplace.
• With service providers — such as SMS gateways, email delivery, M-Pesa/payment processors, and cloud hosting, only as needed to run the platform.
• For legal reasons — if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of eMaskani, our users, or the public.
• With your consent — in any other situation where you explicitly agree.

5. M-Pesa and payments

Payments on eMaskani are processed through M-Pesa STK push or related payment integrations. We receive confirmation of payment status and the phone number used. Payment processing is subject to Safaricom's terms and your mobile money provider's policies. Keep your M-Pesa PIN private — eMaskani will never ask for it.

6. RentShield Index

RentShield submissions and search results involve tenant personal data. Listings are visible to authorised searchers who pay for a search. Full records may be accessed by eMaskani administrators for moderation and dispute handling. RentShield is an information service — see our RentShield terms for limitations on accuracy and liability.

7. Data retention

We keep account and transaction records for as long as your account is active and as needed for legal, tax, and dispute-resolution purposes. Hunt requests, bids, and reviews may be retained to support ratings history and platform integrity. You may request deletion of your account subject to legal and contractual obligations (e.g. outstanding payments or active hunts).

8. Your rights

Under applicable Kenyan data protection law, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate information in your profile.
• Request deletion of your data where legally permitted.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Withdraw consent where processing is consent-based.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

9. Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect data in transit and at rest, including HTTPS, access controls, and secure password hashing. No online service is 100% secure — please use a strong password and report suspicious activity immediately.

10. Cookies

We use essential cookies and similar technologies to maintain your session, remember preferences, and analyse how the site is used. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling essential cookies may prevent you from signing in.

11. Children

eMaskani is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a minor has registered, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

12. Offline activity

eMaskani facilitates online matching between clients and hunters. We are not responsible for offline house viewings, payments, lease agreements, or disputes that occur outside the platform. Always verify properties and people independently before committing money or signing documents.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of eMaskani after changes means you accept the updated policy.

14. Contact us

For privacy questions, data access requests, or complaints, contact eMaskani support through your account dashboard or the contact channels listed on our website. You may also reach our developer at hubnyx.com.