Privacy Policy

Account Information

When you create an account on Maathai, we collect:

• Phone Number: Required for account verification and authentication
• Name: Your display name (can be a nickname or real name)
• Profile Information: Optional information such as location, farming experience, and profile photo
• Language Preference: Your preferred language for app interface and communications

Consultation Data

When you use our expert consultation services, we collect:

• Messages: Your conversations with agricultural experts
• Photos: Images you share for plant disease identification or crop analysis
• Consultation History: Records of your consultations, including expert ratings and feedback
• Crop Information: Details about your crops, fields, and farming activities (optional)

AI Scanner Data

When you use our AI-powered plant disease scanner:

• Plant Photos: Images you capture for disease and pest identification
• Scan Results: AI analysis results and recommendations
• Location Data: Optional location information to provide region-specific advice (only if you grant permission)

Expert Information

If you register as an agricultural expert, we collect:

• Professional Credentials: Certifications, qualifications, and experience
• Verification Documents: Documents submitted for expert verification
• Specialization Areas: Your areas of expertise (crops, livestock, soil science, etc.)
• Payment Information: Bank account or payment details for receiving consultation fees (processed securely through third-party payment providers)

Usage Data

We collect anonymous usage data to improve our services:

• App features you use most frequently
• Device information (type, operating system, version)
• App performance metrics and crash reports
• General location data (country/region level, not precise location)

With Agricultural Experts

When you start a consultation, we share relevant information with the selected expert:

• Your messages and questions
• Photos you share for analysis
• Basic profile information (name, location if provided)
• Crop and field information you choose to share

Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our platform:

• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing (e.g., Paystack, M-Pesa)
• Cloud Storage: Secure cloud storage for photos and consultation data
• Analytics Services: Anonymous usage analytics to improve our services
• Communication Services: SMS and push notification services

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or to:

• Comply with legal obligations or court orders
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Prevent fraud or abuse
• Respond to government requests

What We Don't Share

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. Your data is used solely to provide and improve our agricultural services.

Access Your Data

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you. You can view and download your data through the app settings.

Update Your Information

You can update your profile information, preferences, and settings at any time through the app.

Delete Your Account

You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time. We will delete your data within 30 days of your request, except where we're required to retain it for legal purposes.

Opt-Out

You can opt-out of non-essential communications and data collection through your app settings. However, some data collection is necessary for the app to function properly.

Data Portability

You can export your consultation history and data in a machine-readable format upon request.

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 30 days after account deletion
• Consultation Records: Retained for 2 years to allow you to reference past consultations
• Expert Verification Data: Retained while you maintain expert status and for legal compliance purposes
• Payment Records: Retained as required by financial regulations (typically 7 years)
• Usage Analytics: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained indefinitely

Maathai is designed for users aged 13 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will delete that information.

For users between 13 and 18, we recommend parental supervision when using our expert consultation services.

Maathai operates primarily in Africa, with servers located in secure data centers. If you're using Maathai from outside Africa, your data may be transferred to and stored in our servers. By using our services, you consent to this transfer.

We comply with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR principles where applicable, to protect your personal information regardless of where you're located.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes:

• We will notify you through the app or via email
• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• We will provide a summary of significant changes

Your continued use of Maathai after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.