PRIVACY
POLICY
PRIVACY POLICY
OTM BETASHO
Website: www.otmbetasho.com
Last Updated: February 17, 2026
1.
INTRODUCTION
OTM
BETASHO (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “the
Platform”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the
security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we
collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our
website otmbetasho.com or use our services.
Data Controller: The company
operating OTM BETASHO, based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, is the
data controller responsible for your personal information.
By
using the Platform, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.
If you do not agree with any part of this Privacy Policy, you must not use our
Platform.
2.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
We
collect information you provide directly to us, information automatically
collected when you use the Platform, and information from third parties.
2.1 Information from Service Seekers
·
Contact
Information: Phone number (when you contact a
Service Provider through the Platform, including via masked calls or SMS).
·
Usage Data: Search queries (e.g., “electrician in Gombe,”
“plumber near me”), pages visited, time spent on the Platform, and
referral URLs.
·
Reviews and
Ratings: Any reviews, ratings, or comments
you post about Service Providers.
·
Communications: Records of inquiries or messages sent through the Platform’s
contact systems.
2.2 Information from Service Providers
·
Identity
Information: Full name, profile photo, national
identification number (for verification purposes only).
·
Contact
Information: Primary mobile phone number,
WhatsApp number (optional).
·
Professional
Information: Trade category and sub-skills,
years of experience, portfolio photos (minimum 3), pricing indications
(fixed/hourly/free quote), availability information, and service areas.
·
Location
Information: Commune, neighborhood, operating
radius.
·
Verification Data: National ID documents submitted for Level 2 and Level 3
verification.
·
Communications: Records of inquiries and responses sent through the Platform.
2.3 Information Collected Automatically
·
Device
Information: IP address, browser type,
operating system, device type.
·
Log Data: Pages accessed, access times, referring website addresses.
·
Cookies and
Similar Technologies: As described in Section 8.
3.
HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We
use the information we collect for various purposes, including:
3.1 Platform Functionality
·
To provide, operate, and maintain the
Platform;
·
To facilitate connections between
Service Seekers and Service Providers;
·
To enable masked phone calls, WhatsApp
communications, and inquiry forms;
·
To display provider profiles,
portfolios, and availability to Service Seekers.
3.2 Verification and Security
·
To verify identity (Level 2 and Level 3
verification processes);
·
To prevent fraud, unauthorized access,
and other prohibited activities;
·
To enforce our Terms and Conditions;
·
To protect the security and integrity of
the Platform.
IMPORTANT: National ID documents submitted
for verification are used SOLELY for identity confirmation. These documents are
stored securely and are deleted or permanently redacted from our active systems
once the verification process is complete, except as required for legal
compliance or fraud prevention.
3.3 Communication
·
To send service-related notifications
(e.g., inquiry alerts, review prompts via SMS);
·
To respond to your inquiries and
requests;
·
To communicate with you about your
account or profile.
3.4 Improvement and Analytics
·
To understand how users interact with
the Platform;
·
To analyze usage patterns and trends;
·
To improve and optimize the Platform’s
features and user experience;
·
To develop new features and services.
3.5 Display and Calculation Features
·
To calculate and display response time
indicators;
·
To show availability status
(“Available Today” toggle);
·
To generate and display ratings and
reviews.
4.
DATA SHARING AND DISCLOSURE
4.1 Information Visible to Other Users
·
Service Provider
Profiles: The following information is
publicly visible on the Platform: your name, profile photo, trade category,
years of experience, portfolio photos, pricing indications, service areas,
availability, response time, and reviews/ratings.
·
Service Seeker
Reviews: Reviews you post are publicly
visible and linked to your anonymous user ID (not your phone number).
4.2 Contact Information
·
Phone numbers are MASKED initially to
protect privacy. When a Service Seeker initiates contact, a temporary, masked
number is used.
·
Direct contact information is only
revealed when a User initiates a call or WhatsApp message through the
Platform’s systems.
4.3 Third-Party Service Providers
We may share information with trusted third parties who assist us in operating
the Platform, conducting our business, or servicing you, provided they agree to
keep this information confidential. These may include:
·
Web hosting and cloud storage providers;
·
Analytics providers;
·
SMS and communication service providers;
·
Mobile money payment processors.
4.4 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to
valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government
agency).
4.5 Business Transfers
If OTM BETASHO is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of
assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We
will notify you of any such change in ownership or control.
4.6 No Sale of Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for
their marketing purposes.
5.
DATA SECURITY
5.1 Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to
protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration,
disclosure, or destruction. These include:
·
Secure servers and encrypted data
transmission;
·
Encryption of sensitive data (such as
national ID numbers) both in transit and at rest;
·
Strict access controls limiting which
personnel can access personal data;
·
Regular security assessments and
updates.
5.2 Sensitive Data Handling
National identification documents and numbers receive the highest level of
protection:
·
Access is restricted to authorized
verification personnel only;
·
Documents are stored in encrypted
format;
·
As stated in Section 3.2, these
documents are deleted or permanently redacted once verification is complete.
5.3 No Guarantee of Absolute Security
While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the
Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute
security, and you use the Platform at your own risk.
6.
DATA RETENTION
We
retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the
purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is
required or permitted by law.
6.1 Account Information
·
Active Accounts: Information is retained while your account is active and for a
reasonable period thereafter to allow for account reactivation.
·
Deleted Accounts: Upon account deletion, profile information is removed from public
view. We may retain certain information in our backup systems for a limited
period and as required for legal compliance.
6.2 Verification Documents
·
ID documents are retained only for the
duration of the verification process and are deleted or permanently redacted
within a reasonable time (not exceeding 30 days) after verification is
complete, unless required for fraud investigation or legal purposes.
6.3 Usage Data
·
Logs and analytics data may be
anonymized and retained for longer periods for statistical and improvement
purposes.
7.
YOUR RIGHTS
As
a user of OTM BETASHO, you have certain rights regarding your personal
information:
7.1 Access and Correction
You may access and update your profile information at any time by logging into
your account. For information not accessible through your account, you may
contact us to request access.
7.2 Deletion (“Right to be Forgotten”)
You may request deletion of your account and associated personal information by
contacting us. Please note:
·
Some information may be retained as
required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention).
·
Reviews you have posted may remain
visible but will be anonymized or disassociated from your account.
7.3 Objection and Restriction
You may object to certain processing of your information or request that we
restrict processing where applicable.
7.4 Data Portability
You may request a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly
used format.
7.5 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at koma@otmbetasho.com.
We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance
with applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before processing your
request.
8.
COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
8.1 What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a
website. They help the website remember your preferences and understand how you
interact with the site.
8.2 Types of Cookies We Use
·
Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Platform to function properly (e.g., maintaining
your session, remembering login status).
·
Functional
Cookies: Remember your preferences and
settings to enhance your experience.
·
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our Platform, which
pages are visited most, and what improvements we can make.
8.3 Managing Cookies
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. However,
disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality and performance of the
Platform.
9.
CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
The
OTM BETASHO Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do
not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you
become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please
contact us immediately. If we discover that we have collected personal
information from a child without verification of parental consent, we will take
steps to delete that information.
10.
INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
Our
Platform may be hosted on servers located outside the Democratic Republic of
Congo. If you access our Platform from the DRC or any other region with laws
governing data collection and use, you acknowledge and consent to the transfer
of your information to countries outside your jurisdiction, including countries
that may have different data protection laws.
When
we transfer data internationally, we take steps to ensure that your information
receives an adequate level of protection, either through contractual agreements
or other recognized mechanisms.
11.
CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We
may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our
practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. When we make material
changes:
·
We will post the updated Privacy Policy
on this page with a new “Last Updated” date;
·
We will notify you through a prominent
notice on the Platform;
·
For significant changes, we may also
send a notification to the contact information associated with your account (if
available).
We
encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about
how we are protecting your information.
12.
CONTACT US
If
you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our
data practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer at:
OTM BETASHO
Avenue Wagenia No. 1, Immeuble le BAOBAB, Quartier Gare, Commune de la Gombe,
Kinshasa, DRC
Email: koma@otmbetasho.com
Phone: +243981577770
For verification-related inquiries: koma@otmbetasho.com
