Privacy Policy

1. SCOPE & APPLICABILITY

This Privacy Policy explains how SOM AUTO MARKET ("we," "us," "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you visit somautomarket.com, use our mobile applications, register an account, list vehicles, make purchases, or interact with our services. This policy applies to all Users, visitors, dealers, and partners. It does not apply to third-party websites linked from our Platform, which operate under their own privacy practices.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

A. Information You Provide Directly

Account Data: Name, email, phone number, national ID, profile photo, password hash;
Listing Data: Vehicle VIN, photos, description, price, location, dealer license number;
Transaction Data: Payment method details (processed securely via ZAAD/eDahab/bank APIs), billing address, purchase history;
Communication Data: Messages between Users, support tickets, feedback submissions, survey responses;
Verification Data: Government-issued ID copies, business registration certificates, proof of address.

B. Information Collected Automatically

Device & Technical Data: IP address, browser type, OS, device model, screen resolution, language settings;
Usage Analytics: Pages viewed, search queries, click patterns, session duration, referral sources;
Location Data: Approximate geolocation derived from IP address or GPS (if enabled);
Cookies & Tracking: Session cookies, preference cookies, analytics cookies (see Section 6).

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We process your data solely for the following lawful purposes:

To provide, maintain, and improve the Platform's core functionality;
To verify User identities and prevent fraud, money laundering, and illicit activities;
To facilitate transactions, process payments, and deliver purchased services;
To communicate with you about listings, account updates, security alerts, and promotional offers (with opt-out);
To generate aggregated, anonymized market intelligence reports;
To comply with Somaliland legal obligations, tax requirements, and law enforcement requests;
To enforce our Terms & Conditions and protect the safety of our community.

            Our Commitment: We NEVER sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
        

Your information may be shared only in these limited circumstances:

Service Providers: Payment processors (ZAAD, eDahab), cloud hosting (AWS), email delivery (SendGrid), analytics (Google Analytics). All providers sign strict data processing agreements;
Legal Compliance: When required by Somaliland court order, subpoena, or regulatory authority;
Safety & Fraud Prevention: To investigate suspected illegal activity, protect Platform integrity, or prevent imminent harm;
Business Transfers: In connection with merger, acquisition, or asset sale (Users will receive 30 days' notice);
With Your Consent: For specific purposes explicitly disclosed and approved by you.

5. DATA RETENTION & SECURITY

Retention Periods

Active account data: Retained while account is active + 2 years after closure;
Transaction records: 7 years per Somaliland tax law;
Deleted accounts: Anonymized within 30 days, fully purged within 90 days;
Logs & analytics: Aggregated/anonymized after 12 months.

Security Measures: We implement industry-standard safeguards including AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit, regular penetration testing, role-based access controls, and employee security training. However, no electronic transmission is 100% secure. You are responsible for safeguarding your credentials.

6. COOKIES & TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

We use essential cookies for authentication and security, functional cookies for preferences, and analytics cookies to improve performance. Third-party advertising cookies are NOT used. You can manage cookie preferences via browser settings or our Cookie Settings panel. Disabling essential cookies may impair Platform functionality.

7. YOUR RIGHTS & CHOICES

Under Somaliland data protection principles, you have the right to:

Access your personal data and receive a portable copy;
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
Delete your account and associated data (subject to legal retention requirements);
Opt out of marketing communications at any time;
Lodge a complaint with the Somaliland Ministry of Information if you believe we've violated this policy.

To exercise these rights, contact privacy@somautomarket.com. We respond within 30 days.

8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

The Platform is not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors. If we discover underage data collection, it will be deleted immediately.

9. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS

Data is primarily stored in Somaliland. Limited transfers to service providers outside Somaliland occur only with adequate safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions).

10. POLICY UPDATES & CONTACT

Material changes will be notified via email and prominent website notice 30 days before effectiveness. For privacy concerns:

Data Protection Officer
SOM AUTO MARKET
Email: dpo@somautomarket.com
Address: Ilays Garage, Fagara, Burao, Somaliland

Table of Contents