Privacy & Confidentiality Policy
Your data, your identity, and your business are protected with integrity
TAWDO ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of all users interacting with our ecosystem including the Marketplace (Commodities & Machinery), the Industrialization Program (TIP), Logistics & QA/QC Networks, and Financial/Payment Services.
This Privacy & Confidentiality Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data and business information in compliance with:
By using TAWDO, you consent to the practices described below.
1Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of data depending on your role:
1.1 Personal Information (PII)
- • Full name
- • Email address
- • Phone number
- • Official identification (passport, national ID)
- • Professional information (job title, LinkedIn)
1.2 Business Information
- • Company name, registration, tax ID
- • Beneficial ownership declarations
- • Licenses and compliance documents
- • Machinery specs, QA/QC reports
- • Product listings and trade documentation
1.3 Transactional Data
- • Orders, quotations, communication logs
- • Escrow, PAPSS, payment details
- • Logistics tracking and proof-of-delivery
1.4 Platform & Technical Data
- • IP address, device type, browser
- • Cookies, session IDs, auth logs
- • Usage analytics for improvement
1.5 Sensitive Trade Information (Strictly Confidential)
- • Commercial contracts
- • Pricing agreements
- • Buyer/Seller negotiations
- • Industrial feasibility models, financial projections (TIP)
2How We Use Your Information
We use your information strictly for legitimate business purposes:
2.1 To Operate the Platform
- • Verify identities (KYC/KYB / AML screening)
- • Enable trading, escrow, logistics, and QA/QC workflows
- • Support TIP financing and industrial project onboarding
2.2 To Enhance User Experience
- • Provide recommendations (buyers, machinery, logistics)
- • Improve platform performance and security
- • Provide multilingual and low-bandwidth access
2.3 To Comply with Legal Requirements
- • AML/CFT checks
- • Export/Import compliance
- • AfCFTA & AU trade documentation
2.4 To Prevent Fraud & Abuse
- • Monitor suspicious activity
- • Enforce platform rules
- • Secure communication channels
2.5 For Analytics & Reporting
- • Generate anonymized insights
- • Improve service offerings
- • Report aggregated trade trends (never identifying individuals)
3Data Sharing
We never sell your data.
We only share data when necessary, as follows:
3.1 Verified Partners
- • KYC/KYB or AML provider
- • Logistics providers
- • QA/QC & certification bodies
- • Financial institutions
- • OEMs or machinery suppliers
Always on a need-to-know basis.
3.2 Regulatory Authorities
Only when required by law:
- • AML/CFT investigations
- • Customs or border compliance
- • Court orders
3.3 Internal Providers
- • Cloud hosting
- • Payment processors
- • Cybersecurity partners
All bound by strict confidentiality agreements.
4Confidentiality Rules
TAWDO treats all commercial information as strictly confidential.
We do NOT allow:
- • Unauthorized sharing of buyer/seller identities
- • Off-platform negotiation or disintermediation
- • Disclosure of contract terms or pricing
- • Access to documents without consent
Every user must:
- • Protect sensitive trade information
- • Use platform communication tools only
- • Maintain confidentiality of TIP projects
- • Report any breach immediately
5Data Retention
We retain data only as long as necessary for:
- • Legal & regulatory compliance
- • Transactional records (OHADA/AfCFTA)
- • User account integrity
- • Historical documentation
Data is fully deleted or anonymized once retention periods expire.
6Data Security
Industry-leading security frameworks:
- • AES-256 encryption (data at rest)
- • TLS 1.3 encryption (data in transit)
- • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- • Zero-trust architecture
- • ISO/IEC 27001-aligned controls
7Your Rights
Depending on jurisdiction, you may request:
- • Access to your personal data
- • Correction or updates
- • Deletion ("right to be forgotten")
- • Restriction of processing
- • Data portability
- • Withdrawal of consent
All requests processed within 30 days.
8Cookies & Tracking
We use cookies for:
- • Authentication
- • Fraud prevention
- • Personalization
- • Analytics
You may disable cookies, but platform performance may be affected.
9International Data Transfers
Data may be processed in:
- • African regions (primary)
- • UAE (TAWDO coordination hub)
- • EU or other jurisdictions with adequate protection
All transfers comply with GDPR-equivalent safeguards.
11Policy Updates
TAWDO may update this policy. Significant updates communicated via:
- • Platform banners
- • Dashboard notifications
10Contact & Complaints
For privacy inquiries:
For complaints about data misuse:
- • Secure contact form
- • Anonymous whistleblower channel
- • Escalation to data protection authorities
Your Trust is Our Priority
TAWDO is committed to building Africa's most trusted digital trade and industrialization ecosystem — where your data, your identity, and your business are protected with integrity.