This policy explains how Tech Plaza (“Tech Plaza”, “we”, “us”) handles personal information when you use the Tech Plaza mobile app and the website at techplaza.app (together, the “Service”). By using the Service you agree to this policy. If you don’t agree, please don’t use the Service.
Summary
- You can browse shops and products without an account.
- We collect only what we need to run the marketplace: your account details, what shops list, and the chats you start.
- Shop owners give us a CNIC number and CNIC image so we can verify them. These are stored privately and seen only by the shop owner and our admin team.
- Other users can’t see your email address or phone number.
- We don’t sell your data and we don’t show ads.
- You can delete your account at any time in the app (Settings → Delete account). See Delete your account.
Information we collect
Information you give us
| Who | What we collect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone with an account | Name, email address, password (stored as a secure hash by our authentication provider), optional profile photo | To create and secure your account and show your name in chats |
| Customers | Favourites, shops you follow, star ratings you give | To provide these features |
| Shop owners | Phone number, CNIC number, CNIC image | To verify your identity and make sure one person runs one active shop |
| Shop owners | Shop name, plaza, address, description, logo, phone number, product listings and photos | To publish your shop to customers |
| Anyone who chats | Messages you send and receive, and the product each chat is about | To deliver messages between customers and shops |
| Anyone who reports or blocks | Who you blocked; the reports you send (reason, your description, what you reported) | To keep blocked people from contacting you and to review reports |
Information collected automatically
- Push notification token. If you allow notifications, your phone gives us a token so we can send you alerts, for example when a shop replies. You can turn notifications off in the app’s settings or your phone’s settings.
- Basic technical data. Our hosting providers keep standard logs (such as IP address, device type and time of request) to keep the Service secure and working.
The app asks for access to your photos or camera only when you choose to add a profile photo, shop logo, product photo or CNIC image. We don’t access your location, contacts or microphone.
Signing in with Google
If you choose “Continue with Google”, Google shares your name, email address and profile photo with us. We don’t receive your Google password. Google’s use of your data is covered by Google’s privacy policy.
How we use your information
We use your information to:
- create and manage your account and keep it secure;
- show shops and products to customers, and let customers contact shops;
- verify shop owners and review shops and products before they go live;
- send notifications you’ve allowed, and important messages about your account;
- keep the Service safe, including detecting fake ratings, spam and fraud, and reviewing reports;
- respond to your questions and support requests;
- meet our legal obligations.
We don’t use your information for advertising and we don’t sell it. We never ask for bank account or card details.
What other people can see
- Customers see shop information that owners publish: shop name, logo, plaza, address, description, products, prices, rating and follower count.
- Shops see the name and profile photo of customers who message them, and the messages in that chat.
- Follower lists are private. Shops, and everyone else, see only how many people follow a shop, not who.
- Ratings are shown as an average and a count, not linked to your name.
- Email addresses, phone numbers of customers, and CNIC details are never shown to other users.
- Reports are private. The person you report isn’t told who reported them. When you report someone from a chat, a copy of the last 30 messages of that chat is attached so our team can review it.
- Blocks are private. The person you block isn’t notified; they only see that they can’t message you.
Who we share information with
We share information only with service providers that help us run Tech Plaza, and only as much as they need:
- Supabase, which hosts our database, file storage and sign-in system;
- Google Firebase Cloud Messaging, which delivers push notifications;
- Google, if you choose to sign in with Google;
- Our website host, which serves techplaza.app.
These providers process data on our behalf and may store it outside Pakistan. We may also share information if the law requires it, to protect the rights and safety of our users or the public, or as part of a merger or sale of the business, in which case this policy will continue to apply.
How we protect your information
- All traffic between the app and our servers is encrypted (HTTPS).
- Database rules control exactly who can read and change each piece of data, so users can only reach their own private information.
- CNIC images are kept in private storage. They can be opened only by the shop owner who uploaded them and our admin team, through short-lived links.
- Only a small number of authorised admins can review shops and products.
No system is perfectly secure, but we work to protect your information and will tell you if a breach affects you, where the law requires it.
How long we keep information
We keep your information while your account is open. When you delete your account in the app, your account, profile, shop, products, photos, CNIC documents, favourites, follows, ratings, blocks and chats (including the messages in them) are deleted straight away. If you ask by email instead, we do it within 30 days. We keep only:
- information we must keep to resolve disputes, prevent fraud or follow the law;
- reports you sent about other users: the report stays with our team, but it’s no longer linked to you.
Your choices and rights
You can:
- see and update your name, photo and shop details in the app;
- turn off push notifications at any time;
- ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
- ask us to correct information that is wrong;
- block anyone you chat with, and report users, shops or products;
- delete your shop (shop owners) or your whole account in the app’s Settings. See Delete your account.
To make a request, email us from the address linked to your account. We reply within 30 days.
Children
Tech Plaza is not meant for children under 13, and we don’t knowingly collect their information. Shop owners must be at least 18. If you think a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as Tech Plaza changes. We’ll change the “Last updated” date at the top, and if a change is significant we’ll tell you in the app or by email before it takes effect.
Contact us
Tech Plaza, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Email: support@techplaza.app