Summary:
At ETchat, we prioritize your privacy. We offer complete end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only you and the person you communicate with can access your messages. Rest assured that your communications are secure and cannot be viewed by any other individuals. Our privacy policy outlines how we collect and process your personal data, the types of data we handle, and the measures we take to protect your information. We are committed to transparency and providing you with control over your data. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at privacy@etchat.et.
Introduction
This privacy policy is designed to provide you with a clear understanding of how ETchat collects and processes your personal data when you use our app. We are deeply committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your information is handled in a responsible and secure manner. By explaining our data collection and processing practices, we aim to provide transparency and build trust with our users.
When you use ETchat, we may collect certain types of personal data from you. This can include information such as your name, username, profile picture, contact list, and any other data that you choose to share with us. We may also collect technical information about your device, such as your IP address, device type, operating system, and app version. This information is collected to ensure the proper functioning of the app, improve user experience, and enhance the security of our services.
Important Information and Contact Details
ETchat, operated by Sigma Edge, is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal data. As the data controller, we are responsible for determining the purposes and means of processing the information you provide to us through the ETchat app.
We understand that privacy concerns are important, and we want to assure you that we take your privacy seriously. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding your privacy or the way we handle your personal data, we encourage you to reach out to us.
You can contact us at privacy@etchat.et. Our dedicated privacy team will review and respond to your inquiries promptly. Whether you have a general privacy inquiry or specific concerns about your data, we are here to provide the necessary information and assistance.
Changes to the Privacy Policy
At ETchat, we understand the importance of keeping our privacy policy up to date to reflect changes in technology, regulations, and our services. As part of our commitment to transparency and ensuring your privacy, we regularly review and update our privacy policy.
By conducting regular reviews, we aim to incorporate any necessary modifications that may be required to address evolving privacy concerns or to align with any changes in applicable laws and regulations. These updates help us maintain the highest standards of privacy protection for our users.
We encourage you to periodically check our privacy policy to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect your personal data. It’s important to review the latest version of the policy as it will contain the most current information regarding our privacy practices.
Third-Party Links
While using ETchat, you may come across links or references to third-party websites or services that are beyond our control. These external websites or services operate independently from ETchat and have their own privacy policies and practices. We want to emphasize the importance of reviewing the privacy policies of these third-party websites before providing any personal data.
Types of Data We Process
To provide secure and encrypted calling, messaging, and other services, ETchat collects and processes various types of personal data:
- Identity Data: Mobile number, nickname, and optional profile picture.
- Contact Data: Mobile number to enable safe and encrypted conversations with your contacts using ETchat.
- Device Data: Mobile phone number, operating system, time zone settings, log files, and performance reports to ensure technical functionality.
- Content Data: Information stored on your device, such as friends’ lists, encrypted photos, videos, and other digital content shared with ETchat users.
- Profile Data: Usernames for account identification.
- Usage Data: Details of your app usage, including traffic data and communication activity, for billing and analytical purposes.
- Messages Data: End-to-end encrypted messages, including chats, calls, photos, videos, and voice messages, stored in our system for a maximum of 30 days.
- Calling Data: End-to-end encrypted call logs, including timestamps, without storing or recording conversations.
- Status Data: User’s online/offline status and recent app usage, automatically updated in our system.
- Location Data: Current location (with your explicit permission) for location-sharing features within the app.
Processing of Personal Data
We collect and process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: When you provide personal data voluntarily.
- Contractual Necessity: When processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with you.
- Legitimate Interests: When processing is necessary for our legitimate interests or those of third parties.
- Legal Obligations: When processing is required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.
We process your data to improve, customize, and optimize our services, understand usage patterns, provide customer support, prevent misuse, and market our services.
Data Sharing
ETchat may receive information about you from third parties, such as your friends using the app who share your phone number. Profile details made public by you or shared with third-party services integrated into ETchat may also be accessible by other users or service providers. We do not store your messages or communications, but if you choose to store them on third-party cloud storage, their privacy policies will apply.
We may share your data with our sister companies, in case of a merger, or organizational restructure. We ensure the protection of your personal data through binding corporate rules.
Communication with ETchat
Correspondence with ETchat, including feedback, bug reports, objectionable content reports, or conversations via the app or other means, are stored for recordkeeping and improvement purposes.
International Data Transfers:
As a global service, your data may be transferred to and processed in different countries, including countries outside Ethiopia. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your personal data when transferred internationally.
Data Security
ETchat employs appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. We use end-to-end encryption to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your communications.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy. ETchat retains messages for a maximum of 30 days. However, please note that once your data delivered to other/intended users or stored in their devices or cloud services, we no longer have control over its retention or deletion.
Your Rights
As an ETchat user, you have rights regarding your personal data. You can access, correct, update, and delete your personal information. You can also restrict or object to its processing or request its transferability. To exercise these rights or seek assistance, please contact us at privacy@etchat.et.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This privacy policy is governed by Ethiopian law, specifically within the jurisdiction of Ethiopia, and any disputes arising from it shall be resolved in Ethiopian courts.
For detailed information on our privacy practices, please refer to the complete privacy policy. If you have any further questions or concerns, please reach out to us at privacy@etchat.et