1. Scope of this Policy
This Policy applies to Users and Vendors who access or use the Soko ya Hood platform, including the website, applications and related services.
It covers both personal information relating to identifiable individuals and business information processed through the Platform, including information collected by Soko ya Hood Agents during onboarding.
2. Definitions
Personal Information: Information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, identification documents and location data.
Business Information: Information relating to a Vendor's business, including name, category, products, services, location, branding and contact details.
Agent: An individual formally authorized by Soko ya Hood Limited to onboard and support Vendors within an assigned Marketplace Area.
Onboarding: The process through which an Agent registers a Vendor's business on the Platform.
Processing: Any operation carried out on information, including collection, storage, use, disclosure, transmission or deletion.
Data Subject: The individual to whom personal information relates.
Data Controller: Soko ya Hood Limited, which determines the purposes and means of processing information collected through the Platform.
3. Information We Collect
Vendor onboarding information
- Owner or representative name, phone number, email and WhatsApp number.
- Business name, trading name, registration details, category, products, services, location, operating hours and branding.
- Verification documents such as identification, registration certificate or trading licence where required.
- Product images, shop photographs and promotional materials provided for upload.
Information from Users
- Support enquiries, feedback, reviews and other communications.
- Limited account information where optional customer account features are used.
Information collected automatically
- IP address, browser type, device identifiers and usage patterns.
- Approximate or precise location where enabled for local discovery.
- Cookies and similar technologies.
4. How We Use Your Information
- To onboard businesses and create Digital Business Identities and Store Accounts.
- To enable local discovery, search and matching between customers and businesses.
- To facilitate communication through approved business contact channels.
- To verify businesses and reduce fraud or misuse.
- To enable Agents to provide local onboarding and support.
- To administer subscription billing and payment status for Vendors.
- To provide customer support.
- To improve, personalize and troubleshoot the Platform.
- To maintain Platform security and integrity.
- To meet legal and regulatory obligations.
- To generate aggregated and anonymized analytics.
- To communicate service notices, updates or promotions subject to communication preferences.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Depending on the context, Soko ya Hood may rely on:
- Consent — where clear and informed consent has been provided.
- Contractual necessity — where processing is necessary to provide requested services.
- Legal obligation — where processing is required by Kenyan law.
- Legitimate interests — including fraud prevention and Platform security, provided those interests do not override fundamental rights.
6. Information That May Be Publicly Displayed
Approved business information may be displayed to help customers discover and engage with a business, including:
- Business name, trading name, logo, category and description.
- Products, services, images, prices where applicable and promotions.
- Physical address, map location and neighbourhood.
- Approved phone number, WhatsApp number, email, website and social media links.
- Operating hours, ratings and reviews.
7. Information That Remains Confidential
- National identification or passport numbers.
- Business registration documents and licence copies.
- Internal verification records and Agent administrative notes.
- Authentication credentials and security information.
- Subscription payment status and billing history.
- Documents submitted solely for verification.
9. Data Storage and Security
We use reasonable administrative, organizational and technical safeguards designed to protect information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, loss or destruction.
These safeguards may include role-based access controls, Agent confidentiality obligations, secure systems, monitoring and backup procedures. No method of digital transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
10. Data Retention
Information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to operate Store Accounts and Digital Business Identities, provide services, maintain business and financial records, meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, and protect Platform security.
Where a Store Account is deactivated, associated information may be deleted or anonymized subject to any continuing legal retention obligation.
11. Your Rights
Under the Data Protection Act, 2019, you may have the right to:
- Be informed about how your personal information is used.
- Access personal information held about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion, subject to legal exceptions.
- Object to or restrict certain processing.
- Withdraw consent without affecting processing already lawfully carried out.
- Request a portable copy of your information where applicable.
- Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), Kenya.
13. Children's Privacy
The Platform is not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate parental or guardian consent.
14. Changes to this Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in Platform practices or applicable law. Material changes will be communicated through the Platform.
15. Complaints and Regulatory Contact
If you have concerns about how your information has been handled, including concerns involving an Agent, you may contact Soko ya Hood directly. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), Kenya.
16. Contact Us
Soko ya Hood Limited
Technology Partner: Radicha Ltd
Platform: Soko ya Hood
Website: www.hoodsoko.co.ke
Email: info@hoodsoko.co.ke
Phone: +254 705 371 205