Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Ethio Business (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates an online business directory that helps people find companies, products and services across Ethiopia, and helps businesses publish their listings.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and the choices you have. By using the website, creating an account, or submitting a listing, you agree to this policy.

2. Information we collect

We may collect:

• Account details: name, email address, and password when you register.
• Business listing details: company name, descriptions, categories, logos, contact numbers, emails, website, address, city, region, and social links that you or an administrator publish.
• Usage data: pages viewed, search terms, device type, browser, approximate location derived from IP address, and similar technical logs needed to run and protect the service.
• Communications: messages you send us about support, advertising, or listing claims.
• Payment and plan information: the subscription plan you choose and related billing status. Card numbers are processed by our payment provider, not stored in full on our servers.

3. How we use information

We use information to:

• Provide, host, and improve the directory.
• Publish and display business listings you submit.
• Create and manage your account, plans, and listing limits.
• Respond to enquiries and verify or moderate listings.
• Measure how the site is used so we can fix problems and improve search.
• Show advertising, including Google AdSense, where ads are enabled.
• Detect abuse, spam, fraud, and security incidents.
• Comply with Ethiopian law and respond to lawful requests.

4. Business listings are public

Information you add to a business profile — such as name, phone, email, address, and website — is intended to be public. Anyone can view it, and search engines may index it. Do not publish private data you do not want shown publicly (for example, home addresses or personal ID numbers).

5. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary to keep you signed in, remember preferences, and keep the site secure. We may also use cookies for analytics and advertising (including cookies set by Google AdSense). You can control cookies in your browser; blocking some cookies may affect how the site works.

6. Advertising

Pages on the public site may display ads served by Google AdSense or similar partners. Those partners may use cookies or device identifiers to show ads based on your visits to this and other sites. Google’s own policies explain how they use data for ads. You can manage ad personalisation through Google’s ad settings.

7. When we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it with:

• Service providers who host the site, send email, process payments, or provide analytics — only as needed to operate Ethio Business.
• Advertising partners such as Google, as described above.
• Professional advisers or authorities when required by law, to protect our rights, or to investigate abuse.
• A buyer or successor if we transfer or reorganise the business, with appropriate safeguards.

Public listing content is visible to anyone and may be copied or indexed by third parties. We are not responsible for how others use information that is already public on a listing.

8. Data retention

We keep account and listing data while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards if we need it for records, disputes, or legal duties. Server logs are kept only as long as needed for security and operations. You may ask us to close your account and remove or anonymise personal data that is not required to be kept.

9. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information. No online service is completely secure. Please use a strong password and keep your login details private.

10. Your choices and rights

Subject to Ethiopian law, you may:

• Access or update account and listing information from your dashboard.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate personal data.
• Ask us to delete personal data we do not still need.
• Object to certain processing, such as marketing emails (transactional mail about your account may still be sent).

To make a request, email us using the contact details below. We may need to verify that the request comes from you.

11. Children

Ethio Business is intended for businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe a child has given us data, contact us and we will delete it.

12. International processing

Our servers or vendors may process data outside Ethiopia. Where that happens, we take steps appropriate to the service so that your information remains protected.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. The “last updated” date on this page will change when we do. Continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised policy.

14. Contact

Questions about privacy can be sent to hello@merkato.app, or in writing to Ethio Business, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.