Privacy Policy

Last updated 18 October 2026

What we collect

• An anonymous handle and recovery code, with no name or email unless you choose Google sign-in.
• Your stories, comments, listings, photos, videos and messages.
• Your M-Pesa number, only to take payment and send payouts.
• Survey answers (university, year, interests, how you heard about us).
• If you ask to be verified: your role, admission or staff number, front and back photos of your school ID, the number read from its barcode and, for class and hostel reps, your group link. Only admins see these, only to confirm who you are.
• If you verify as a student: your university email is used once to send you a code. We keep only a scrambled (keyed hash) fingerprint of it, not the address. An email delivery provider handles the message to deliver it.
• Reports, strikes and basic device and usage information to keep the service safe.

How we use it

To run the app, process payments, hold escrow, prevent fraud, enforce the rules and improve the service. Messages, posts and listings are checked automatically to catch contact sharing, scams and banned items, and admins may review flagged items.

Who sees it

Your handle is never shown on your stories. Other users never see your phone number. If you choose to share a number in Hearts, only that match sees it. We share data only with services that run the app, such as payments (M-Pesa and the payment gateway named in Payments, escrow and payouts), email delivery and hosting, or when the law requires it. Your student badge, if you choose it, shows only on your Market listings, never on the anonymous feed.

Fingerprint lock uses the security built into your phone. Your fingerprint never leaves your phone and we never receive it.

Keeping it

We keep data while your account is active and as long as needed for payments, disputes and legal duties, then delete or anonymise it.

Your rights

Under the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019 you may ask to see, correct or delete your data, or object to its use. You may also complain to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Write to support@comradeconnect.co.ke.

Age

Comrade Connect is for university and college students. Hearts is 18+ only.