Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you create a StoreLync account or use our services, we collect information you provide to us, including:

• Your full name and business name
• Email address and WhatsApp phone number
• Business address and store details
• Product listings, descriptions, prices, and images you upload
• Payment information for platform subscriptions (processed securely through PayNow Zimbabwe — we do not store card or EcoCash PIN details)
• Communications you send to us via email, WhatsApp, or our support channels

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you or your customers use StoreLync storefronts, we automatically collect:

• Device type, browser type, and operating system
• IP address and approximate location (country and city level)
• Pages visited, time spent, and actions taken on StoreLync storefronts
• Order data including items selected, quantities, and checkout behaviour
• WhatsApp message delivery and read status (via Meta WhatsApp Cloud API)

1.3 Information From Third Parties

We receive information from the following third-party services:

• Meta (Facebook/WhatsApp):When merchants connect their WhatsApp Business Account to StoreLync, we receive account credentials, phone number details, and message delivery status from Meta's WhatsApp Cloud API.
• PayNow Zimbabwe: When a merchant completes a subscription payment, PayNow sends us a payment confirmation including the transaction reference and amount paid.
• Google Analytics: If a merchant enables Google Analytics for their storefront, Google may collect visitor data on their store pages.

1.4 Customer Data Collected Through Merchant Storefronts

When a customer places an order on a merchant's StoreLync store, the following customer data is collected and stored on behalf of that merchant:

• Customer name and WhatsApp phone number
• Delivery address (including GPS location if shared)
• Order details, items, and total amount
• Payment method selected
• Any custom checkout fields the merchant has configured

This data belongs to the merchant. StoreLync acts as a data processor on the merchant's behalf. Merchants are responsible for how they handle their customers' data and must comply with applicable privacy laws in their country.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and operate the StoreLync platform — creating your store, processing orders, sending WhatsApp notifications, and managing your account
• Process subscription payments — verifying and activating your plan through PayNow Zimbabwe
• Send service communications — account welcome messages, trial reminders, payment confirmations, subscription expiry notices, and important platform updates via WhatsApp and email
• Provide customer support — responding to your questions and resolving issues
• Improve our platform — analysing how StoreLync is used to fix bugs, improve features, and develop new functionality
• Ensure security and prevent fraud — monitoring for suspicious activity, unauthorised access, and abuse of our platform
• Comply with legal obligations — responding to lawful requests from government authorities where required under Zimbabwean law

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We do not use your data for advertising purposes on other platforms.

3. WhatsApp and Meta Integration

StoreLync uses the Meta WhatsApp Cloud API to send and receive WhatsApp messages on behalf of merchants and StoreLync itself. By using StoreLync, you acknowledge and agree that:

• WhatsApp messages sent through StoreLync are transmitted via Meta's infrastructure and are subject to WhatsApp's Privacy Policy.
• StoreLync stores WhatsApp message delivery status (sent, delivered, read) for the purpose of tracking automated message performance
• Merchants who connect their own WhatsApp Business Account to StoreLync grant StoreLync permission to send and receive messages on their behalf through Meta's API
• Customers who receive WhatsApp messages from a StoreLync-powered store have implicitly consented to receive transactional messages by completing an order on that store

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We share information only in the following limited circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share data with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate StoreLync. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and may only use it to provide services to us:

• Supabase — database hosting and authentication
• Vercel — platform hosting and deployment
• Meta (WhatsApp Cloud API) — message delivery
• PayNow Zimbabwe — payment processing
• Resend — transactional email delivery
• OpenAI — AI-powered features (where enabled by merchant)

4.2 Merchant and Customer Relationship

Customer data collected through a merchant's StoreLync store is accessible to that merchant. StoreLync does not share one merchant's customer data with any other merchant or third party.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal request from Zimbabwean authorities or courts of competent jurisdiction.

4.4 Business Transfers

If Adlense Network is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or a prominent notice on our website before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as necessary to provide our services:

• Active account data — retained for the duration of your StoreLync account and for 2 years after account closure
• Order and transaction records — retained for 7 years for accounting and legal compliance purposes
• WhatsApp message logs — retained for 12 months, then automatically deleted
• Abandoned cart data — deleted after 30 days if no order is placed
• Support communications — retained for 2 years

You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us at the details below. Some data may be retained longer where required by law.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Correction: You can update your account information at any time through your dashboard, or request corrections to data we hold
• Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and personal data, subject to legal retention requirements
• Opt-out of marketing: You can opt out of marketing WhatsApp messages from StoreLync at any time by replying STOP to any message or contacting our support team
• Data portability: You can request an export of your store data including products, orders, and customer records in a standard format

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hi@storelync.com. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Cookies and Tracking

StoreLync uses cookies and similar technologies on its platform and merchant storefronts to:

• Keep you logged in to your merchant dashboard
• Remember items in a customer's cart during a shopping session
• Analyse storefront traffic and improve performance
• Load third-party tracking pixels (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel) if a merchant has enabled them in their store settings — these are governed by the respective platform's privacy policies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of StoreLync storefronts.

8. Security

We take the security of your data seriously. StoreLync implements the following measures to protect your information:

• All data is transmitted over HTTPS with TLS encryption
• Merchant access tokens for connected WhatsApp Business Accounts are stored encrypted at rest
• Payment processing is handled entirely by PayNow Zimbabwe — StoreLync does not store EcoCash numbers, PINs, or card details
• Access to production databases is restricted to authorised personnel only
• Regular security reviews are conducted on our platform infrastructure

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data using commercially reasonable means, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children's Privacy

StoreLync is a business platform intended for use by individuals aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18. If we become aware that a child under 18 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately. If you believe a child has provided us with their information, please contact us at hi@storelync.com.

10. International Data Transfers

StoreLync operates primarily in Zimbabwe and serves businesses across Africa. Your data may be processed and stored on servers located outside Zimbabwe, including in the United States and European Union, by our service providers (Supabase, Vercel, Meta). These providers maintain appropriate data protection safeguards. By using StoreLync, you consent to this transfer of data.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page
• Send a notification to all active merchants via WhatsApp and email at least 14 days before the changes take effect
• Display a notice in the merchant dashboard for 30 days after the change takes effect

Your continued use of StoreLync after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us