Privacy Policy

Plate is a property marketplace operated from Ghana. This page explains what information we collect when you use the Plate app or website, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the controls you have over it. We've tried to write it in plain English — if anything here is unclear, message us at hello@ghplate.com.

Who we are

Plate is the trading name of the property marketplace service operated by Zaini Media. In this policy "Plate", "we", "us" and "our" refer to that service. Our contact address for privacy matters is hello@ghplate.com.

What we collect

We only collect what's needed to run a property marketplace and keep listers and buyers safe.

Information you give us

• Phone number — the unique key for your Plate account. Used to verify you with a one-time code at sign-in.
• Name — shown on your listings and to anyone you message on Plate.
• Email address (optional) — used for receipts and important account notices. We don't sell or rent it.
• WhatsApp number (optional, for listers) — so buyers can reach you on WhatsApp directly from a listing.
• Property information you post — photos, price, description, location, features. This is public.
• Inquiries and messages you send through Plate.
• Verification information (listers only, optional) — your Ghana Card number and a live selfie, submitted to obtain the Verified Lister badge. We use these solely to confirm you are a real person and to combat fraudulent listings. Verification submissions are reviewed by Plate staff and stored encrypted at rest.

Information collected automatically

• Device information — operating system, app version, and a randomly generated device identifier. Used to keep your session secure and diagnose crashes.
• Usage information — listings you view, searches you run, and which features you use. Used to improve Plate and to rank listings.
• Approximate location — only when you use map features and only with your permission. Plate does not track you in the background.

How we use your information

• To operate the Plate app and website (the service you signed up for).
• To verify your phone with a one-time code, and to verify listers' identities for the Verified badge.
• To connect buyers and listers when an inquiry or viewing is created. We share your name and phone number with the other party so they can respond.
• To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and other prohibited activity (see our Terms & Conditions).
• To improve our services, develop new features, and fix bugs.
• To communicate service-critical information (e.g., your verification was approved, your listing was reported).

Who we share it with

We do not sell your data. We share it only with:

• Other Plate users — when you inquire on a listing, the lister sees your name and phone number; when a buyer inquires on your listing, you see theirs. That's the entire point of the service.
• Verification service providers — we use Twilio and Termii to deliver one-time verification codes to your phone via SMS or WhatsApp. These providers process your phone number on our behalf and may not use it for any other purpose.
• Payment processors — when paid features are enabled (e.g., listing boost), payments are processed by Paystack. Paystack handles your payment details directly; we never see your card or mobile-money credentials.
• Hosting and infrastructure providers who store data on our behalf (servers, image hosting, error monitoring). They are contractually bound to use your data only to provide their service to us.
• Law enforcement when legally required by a valid order from a Ghanaian court or competent authority, or when we have a good-faith belief disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or fraud.

Where your data is stored

Plate's primary servers are operated in a data center outside of Ghana for performance and reliability. Where this involves transfer of personal data across borders, we rely on standard contractual protections with our hosting provider. Backups are encrypted at rest.

How long we keep it

• Account information — for as long as your account is active, plus up to 12 months after you delete your account, for fraud-prevention and dispute-resolution reasons. Listings you have delisted are kept for the same period.
• Verification submissions — Ghana Card number and selfie are retained for as long as your Verified badge is active plus 12 months. Rejected submissions are deleted within 30 days.
• OTP records — kept for 30 days for security audit purposes, then deleted.
• Inquiries and messages — kept while either party's account is active.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct information that is inaccurate. You can edit most of it directly in the Plate app under Profile.
• Delete your account and associated personal data. From the app: Profile → Sign out → Delete account. You can also email hello@ghplate.com and we will process the request within 14 days.
• Export a copy of your listings, inquiries, and profile in a machine-readable format. Email us to request this.
• Object to certain processing. If you live in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or another jurisdiction with a comparable data-protection regime, you have additional rights under that law and can exercise them by contacting us.

Children

Plate is intended for adults aged 18 and over. If you are under 18, please do not use Plate. If we learn we have collected personal information from someone under 18 we will delete it promptly.

Security

We protect your information with industry-standard technical and organisational measures, including HTTPS in transit, password hashing, encrypted storage of sensitive verification documents, and strict internal access controls. No system is perfectly secure — if we ever discover a breach affecting your account, we will notify you and the Ghana Data Protection Commission as required by law.

Cookies and similar technologies

The Plate website uses only essential cookies needed for the site to function (e.g., remembering you are logged in). We do not run advertising trackers or use behavioural-advertising cookies.

Changes to this policy

If we make a material change to this policy, we'll show you a notice in the app or website at least 14 days before the change takes effect. The "Effective" date at the top of this page always shows the date of the current version.

Contact us

Questions, complaints, or requests under this policy go to hello@ghplate.com. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Ghana Data Protection Commission at dataprotection.org.gh.