Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Pezana Group Inc. ("Pezana", "we", "us", or "our") operates the Pezana personal finance mobile application (the "App"). We are committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with applicable Ethiopian law, including the Personal Data Protection Proclamation, the Electronic Transactions Proclamation No. 1148/2019, and the Computer Crime Proclamation No. 958/2016.

By downloading or using the Pezana App, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.

2. Data Controller

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Full name and profile information
• Email address and phone number (for account creation and authentication)
• Financial data: income records, expense transactions, budget targets, and spending categories
• Preferred language (English or Amharic)
• Profile photo (optional)

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device identifiers and device type
• App usage data and in-app behaviour
• Crash reports and error logs
• Push notification preferences
• Analytics data via Google Firebase Analytics

3.3 Information We Do Not Collect

We do not collect bank account numbers, credit card numbers, PINs, Telebirr credentials, or any banking authentication information. All financial data is manually entered by you for personal tracking only.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

• Contractual necessity — to provide the App and its features
• Legitimate interests — to improve services, detect fraud, and ensure security
• Consent — for push notifications and analytics
• Legal obligation — where required by Ethiopian law

5. How We Use Your Information

• Create and manage your Pezana account
• Provide transaction tracking, budget management, and spending analytics
• Send budget alert notifications (with your consent)
• Analyse App usage to improve features
• Detect and prevent fraud and unauthorised access
• Respond to customer support requests
• Comply with applicable Ethiopian laws

6. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely using Google Firebase. Security measures include:

• Encrypted data transmission via HTTPS/TLS
• Firebase Authentication for secure login via phone and email OTP
• Firestore Security Rules restricting access to authenticated users only
• Role-based access controls within our organisation

7. Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We share data only with:

• Service providers: Google Firebase (storage, authentication, analytics, notifications)
• Legal authorities: where required by Ethiopian law or court order
• Business transfers: in the event of a merger or acquisition
• With your explicit prior consent in all other cases

8. Your Rights

• Right of access — request a copy of your personal data
• Right to rectification — request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure — request deletion of your account and data
• Right to restriction — limit how we process your data
• Right to data portability — receive your data in a readable format
• Right to withdraw consent — at any time for consent-based processing

Contact us at info@pezana.co to exercise these rights. We respond within 30 days.

9. Data Retention

We retain your data while your account is active. Upon account deletion, your data is removed within 30 days, except where Ethiopian law requires longer retention.

10. Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for persons under 18. If you believe we have collected data from a minor, contact us at info@pezana.co immediately.

11. Push Notifications

With your consent, we send budget alerts and reminders. You can disable notifications at any time via your device settings without affecting core App functionality.

12. Third-Party Services

• Google Firebase — storage, authentication, analytics, and notifications. See Google's Privacy Policy
• Google Play Store & Apple App Store — app distribution

13. International Data Transfers

Your data may be stored on servers outside Ethiopia (including Google LLC servers). All transfers comply with applicable Ethiopian law under appropriate safeguards.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated via our website and in-app notification. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance.

15. Contact Us

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant Ethiopian data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated.