Effective Date: [Date] |
Last Updated: [Date]
1. About FreshConnect
FreshConnect is a local fresh produce marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of fish, livestock, eggs, milk, vegetables, coconut, and other fresh produce in India. The platform enables direct transactions between local sellers and nearby buyers without intermediaries.
2. Information We Collect
From Sellers:
- Mobile phone number (collected at registration for identity verification via OTP)
- Selling location (GPS coordinates)
- Listing details (produce type, quantity, photos)
- Device information (for security purposes)
From Buyers:
- Location (GPS coordinates, used only to show nearby listings)
- Notification preferences (category subscriptions)
Automatically Collected:
- Device type and operating system
- App usage data
- Firebase Analytics data (anonymous)
3. How We Use Your Information
- To verify seller identity via SMS OTP
- To display seller listings to nearby buyers
- To send push notifications for new listings in subscribed categories
- To resolve disputes and investigate reported issues
- To improve app performance and user experience
- To prevent fraud and abuse
4. Information We Do NOT Collect
- Payment information (all transactions happen directly between buyer and seller)
- Bank account or financial details
- National ID or government documents
- Email addresses
5. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. Your phone number is visible to buyers only for the purpose of contacting you about your listing. We share data with:
- Firebase (Google) — for authentication, database, storage, and notifications
- Law enforcement — only when required by law
6. Location Data
- Seller location is stored and displayed to nearby buyers to show listing proximity
- Buyer location is used only on-device to filter nearby listings and is never stored on our servers
- Location access can be revoked at any time through your device settings
7. Photos
- Photos uploaded by sellers are stored securely on Firebase Storage
- Photos can only be taken via camera — gallery uploads are not permitted
- Photos are visible to all buyers viewing the listing
- Photos are deleted when a listing expires or is deleted
8. Push Notifications
- Notifications are sent only for categories you explicitly subscribe to
- You can change or disable notification preferences at any time within the app
- We use Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for notifications
9. Data Retention
- Active listings are retained until they expire or are deleted by the seller
- Expired listings are automatically removed after the grace period
- Seller account data is retained while the account is active
- Reports and flagged content are retained for review purposes
- You can request deletion of your data by contacting us
10. User Responsibilities
By using FreshConnect, you agree to:
- Provide accurate information when registering and listing
- Only list produce you genuinely have available for sale
- Use a valid phone number that buyers can reach you on
- Not post offensive, misleading, or fraudulent listings
- Not use the platform for any illegal activity
- Conduct all transactions honestly and in good faith
- Not harass or abuse other users
11. Seller Obligations
- Listings must accurately represent the produce being sold
- Photos must show the actual produce being listed
- Sellers must be reachable on the listed phone number during the listing period
- Sellers must honour enquiries made during the listing's active period
- FreshConnect reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban sellers who violate these terms
12. Buyer Responsibilities
- Buyers must verify produce quality in person before completing any transaction
- FreshConnect is not responsible for the quality, quantity, or freshness of any listed produce
- All transactions are directly between buyer and seller — FreshConnect is not a party to any transaction
13. Disclaimers
- FreshConnect is a listing platform only — we do not handle payments, delivery, or quality assurance
- We do not guarantee the availability, quality, or price of any listed produce
- We are not responsible for any disputes arising between buyers and sellers
- Prices and availability are set solely by sellers
14. Account Suspension
FreshConnect reserves the right to suspend or permanently disable accounts that:
- Post false or misleading listings
- Upload inappropriate or offensive content
- Harass or abuse other users
- Receive multiple verified complaints
- Violate any of these terms
15. Children's Privacy
FreshConnect is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors.
16. Security
We implement industry-standard security measures including:
- Firebase Authentication for seller identity verification
- Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS)
- Secure cloud storage via Google Firebase
- Regular security reviews
17. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. Significant changes will be notified via push notification.
18. Contact Us
For privacy concerns, data deletion requests, or any other queries:
19. Governing Law
This agreement is governed by the applicable laws of the country in which the user resides. For users in India, disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts in Kerala, India. For users outside India, disputes shall be resolved in accordance with the laws of their respective country of residence.