Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 2026 · Public Market is a product of Mpabaisi Technologies

At Public Market, operated by Mpabaisi Technologies, we are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your information when you use our platform — whether as a buyer, a shop owner, or a visitor.

By using Public Market you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

Account information — When you register, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and password (stored as a secure hash).
Shop information — If you register a shop, we collect your business name, description, location (building, floor, shop number), contact details, logo, and product listings including images and videos.
Order information — When you place an order, we collect the products ordered, delivery address, delivery method, and payment-related data.
Payment data — Payments are processed by Pesapal. We do not store your card or mobile money details directly. We receive a transaction reference and status from Pesapal.
Social activity — We record likes, views, shares, comments, and replies you make on products, videos, and shops.
Messages — We store messages exchanged between buyers and sellers on the platform.
Device and usage data — We collect your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and interaction patterns to improve the platform.
Cookies — We use cookies and localStorage to keep you logged in and remember your preferences.

2. How We Use Your Information

To create and manage your account.
To process orders, coordinate delivery, and generate receipts.
To connect buyers and sellers through the messaging system.
To send notifications about orders, replies, likes, and platform activity.
To display relevant products, shops, and videos on the platform.
To detect fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Service.
To improve and personalise the platform based on usage patterns.
To comply with legal obligations applicable in Uganda and across East Africa.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We share information only in the following circumstances:

Between buyers and sellers — When you place an order, the relevant shop owner and their staff see your name, contact details, and order details to fulfil the order.
Payment processor — We share necessary order details with Pesapal to initiate and confirm payments.
Delivery staff — If you select Public Market Delivery, delivery staff can see your name, delivery address, and order details.
Legal compliance — We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or a government authority in Uganda or any applicable jurisdiction.
Business transfers — In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of Mpabaisi Technologies, your data may be transferred to the successor entity, with notice given to you.

4. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. Order records and receipts are retained for a minimum of five (5) years for accounting and legal compliance purposes. You may request deletion of your account and personal data at any time (see Section 6); however, certain records may be retained where required by law.

5. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure. These include encrypted HTTPS connections, hashed passwords, and restricted access controls for staff. However, no system is completely secure; we encourage you to use a strong password and to contact us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access — Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction — Update or correct inaccurate information via your account profile or by contacting us.
Deletion — Request deletion of your account and personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.
Objection — Object to certain uses of your data, such as marketing communications.
Portability — Request an export of your data in a common format.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@publicmarket.com or through the in-app messaging system.

7. Children's Privacy

Public Market is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

8. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of any external site you visit.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you via email or an in-app notification. Continued use of Public Market after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact:

Company: Mpabaisi Technologies
Product: Public Market
Email: privacy@publicmarket.com
Location: Kampala, Uganda