Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Qowa ("Qowa", "we", "us") operates the cross-border trade platform at qowa.trade, including related web apps, APIs, and optional WhatsApp utility messaging. This policy explains what personal data we process and why.

Privacy questions: privacy@qowa.trade.

2. Data we collect

• Account data — name, email, password (hashed), role (buyer, seller, broker, etc.), company details, country, and optional profile fields you provide.
• Trade & compliance data — product listings, HS codes, corridors, deal-room messages, escrow milestones, documents you upload, and related audit logs needed to run trades.
• WhatsApp — phone number in E.164 form, opt-in status and timestamp, inbound keywords (e.g. JOIN, SELL, STOP), and delivery logs for utility templates. We only send WhatsApp messages if you opt in.
• Security & device data — MFA settings, trusted-device cookies (if you choose them), IP and approximate request metadata for abuse prevention, and wallet step-up / passkey metadata where enabled.
• Usage data — product analytics such as pages viewed and feature clicks, used to operate and improve the service.

3. How we use data

• Create and secure your account, including email or WhatsApp verification paths.
• Provide marketplace, compliance, deal-room, escrow, and wallet features.
• Send utility WhatsApp alerts you opted into (e.g. milestone ready, funds released, dispute opened, strong match). We do not move escrow or wallet money actions into WhatsApp.
• Prevent fraud, enforce terms, and meet legal or regulatory requests.
• Improve product reliability and documentation — never invent counterparties.

4. WhatsApp messaging

WhatsApp alerts are optional. You can enable them in Settings with an international phone number. Reply STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE in WhatsApp to clear opt-in immediately, or turn alerts off in Settings. Free-form session replies follow Meta's customer-care window rules; proactive alerts use Meta-approved templates only.

Message content and phone numbers are processed via Meta's WhatsApp Cloud API under Meta's terms. Do not send sensitive payment credentials over WhatsApp.

5. Sharing

We do not sell personal data. We share data only when needed to:

• Operate infrastructure (hosting, email delivery, Redis, databases).
• Deliver WhatsApp templates through Meta.
• Fulfil a trade you participate in (e.g. counterparty sees deal-room and escrow status relevant to that deal).
• Comply with law, protect rights, or respond to lawful requests.

6. Retention & security

We keep account and trade records for as long as your account is active and as required for audit, dispute, and legal obligations. You may request account deletion in Settings (subject to open deal or compliance holds). We use industry-standard controls (encryption in transit, hashed passwords, access controls). No method of transmission is 100% secure.

7. Your choices

• Update profile and WhatsApp preferences in Settings.
• Opt out of WhatsApp alerts via STOP or Settings.
• Request access, correction, or deletion via privacy@qowa.trade.
• Revoke trusted devices and manage MFA in Settings.

Depending on your location, you may have additional rights under applicable privacy laws. Contact us to exercise them.

8. Children

Qowa is a B2B trade platform and is not directed at children under 16 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect data from children.

9. Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above will change when we do. Continued use of Qowa after an update means you accept the revised policy.

10. Contact

Qowa · qowa.trade
Privacy: privacy@qowa.trade