Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how DistressNow collects, uses, shares, stores, and otherwise processes personal information when you use our mobile applications, website, marketplace features, messaging tools, support channels, and related services.

By using DistressNow, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly, information generated through your use of the service, information from your device, and information we receive from third parties.

• account details such as your name, email address, phone number, password, and profile photo
• profile information, verification details, ratings, reviews, reports, and support history
• listing information such as titles, descriptions, prices, category data, uploaded images, and listing location
• communications, including messages, attachments, support requests, and transaction-related interactions
• usage data such as search queries, pages or screens viewed, taps, clicks, and feature activity
• device and network information such as IP address, device identifiers, app version, operating system, browser type, and diagnostic data
• location information, including approximate location and, where you grant permission and the feature requires it, precise location
• payment and transaction metadata from third-party payment or billing providers

3. How We Use Information

We use personal information to operate DistressNow, support transactions and messaging, improve our products, and protect users and the platform.

• create and manage accounts
• publish and deliver listings and search results
• enable chat, reviews, ratings, and support
• personalize content, recommendations, and local discovery features
• process fees, billing events, and transaction records
• detect fraud, abuse, scams, policy violations, and security incidents
• verify identity, eligibility, and account integrity
• send service notifications, transactional messages, and, where permitted, promotional communications
• comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms

4. What Information Is Visible to Others

Certain information is visible to other users as part of the marketplace experience, such as your public profile name, listings, listing images, ratings, reviews, and other information you choose to make public.

Messages and attachments are not publicly visible, but they may be processed by DistressNow to deliver the service, investigate reports, prevent fraud, and enforce our rules.

5. How We Share Information

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

• with service providers that support hosting, authentication, storage, analytics, notifications, customer support, maps, moderation, and communications
• with payment processors, app-store billing providers, and financial service partners when needed to process fees or resolve payment-related issues
• with identity verification, trust and safety, or fraud prevention partners where required
• with law enforcement, regulators, courts, or other authorities when required by law or when necessary to protect users, rights, or the platform
• in connection with a merger, financing, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or similar corporate transaction

6. Cookies, SDKs, and Similar Technologies

We and our service providers may use cookies, software development kits, local storage, and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, analyze usage, measure performance, and improve the service.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the service, maintain records, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, comply with legal obligations, and enforce our agreements.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of data, the feature involved, and whether the information is needed for trust, safety, payments, audits, or legal compliance.

8. Your Choices and Rights

You can update certain account information from within the service. You can manage permissions such as location, camera, photos, and notifications through your device settings.

You may opt out of promotional communications using the unsubscribe mechanism in the message or by adjusting available settings. You may request deletion of your account and personal information by contacting us or by using any in-app deletion tool we may provide, subject to lawful retention requirements.

9. Security

We use administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards intended to protect personal information. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Children's Privacy

DistressNow is not intended for children under 18, and we do not knowingly permit minors to register or transact on the platform. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child in violation of this policy, we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

11. International Transfers

Your information may be stored or processed in countries other than Nigeria by us or by our service providers. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards consistent with applicable law.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date and, where appropriate, provide additional notice before the updated policy applies.

13. Contact Us