Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 17, 2026
This Privacy Policy is issued by Yaltopia Software Technology PLC ("Yaltopia," "Yaltopia Homes," "we," "us," or "our"), a private limited company organized under the laws of Ethiopia and the owner and operator of the Yaltopia Homes platform. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with applicable Ethiopian law, including the Personal Data Protection Proclamation, and act as the data controller for the personal data described in this Policy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why, how long we keep it, who we share it with, and what rights you have over it. By using Yaltopia Homes, you agree to the collection and use of information as described here.
We do not knowingly collect more identity/financial data than is necessary for the stated purpose, and verification documents are stored separately from general account data with restricted access.
Information We Collect
- Account data: name, email, phone number, password (hashed), profile photo
- Verification data: government-issued ID, agent license documentation, proof of property ownership — collected only from users applying to be Verified Agents or Property Owners, and used solely for verification purposes
- Listing & transaction data: properties listed, saved favorites, appointment/booking history, payment records for any platform fees
- Communications: messages sent through the Platform, support inquiries, call/chat records with our support team
- Technical data: device information, IP address, browser type, app version, crash logs, for security and analytics
- Location data: only when you actively use location-based search features, and only with your permission
- Cookies & similar technologies: see the Cookies section below
How We Use Your Information
- To provide core services: account creation, search, listings, bookings, messaging
- To verify the identity of agents and property owners before granting a "Verified" badge
- To process any platform fees and send transaction-related communications
- To notify you about properties matching your saved preferences (you can opt out — see Marketing Preferences below)
- To respond to support inquiries and enforce our Terms of Service
- To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, fake listings, and other abuse
- To comply with legal obligations, including responding to lawful requests from Ethiopian authorities
- To improve the Platform through aggregated, anonymized usage analysis
Information Sharing
- We share limited information with property owners/agents when you request a viewing or booking (e.g., your name and contact details).
- We use vetted third-party service providers for hosting, database infrastructure, payment processing, analytics, and customer communications (e.g., email/SMS delivery). These providers are contractually bound to use your data only to provide services to us.
- Verification documents (ID, ownership proof) are shared only with the internal verification team and are never shared with other users or the public.
- We may disclose information where required by Ethiopian law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Yaltopia, our users, or the public.
- If Yaltopia is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy's protections continuing to apply.
- We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
Data Retention
- Account data is retained for as long as your account is active, and for a limited period after closure (up to 12 months) to handle disputes, legal claims, or re-activation requests, unless earlier deletion is required by law or requested by you (see Account Deletion below).
- Verification documents are retained only as long as necessary to maintain your verified status, and are securely deleted within 90 days of account closure or badge revocation, whichever is earlier, unless a longer period is legally required.
- Transaction and payment records are retained as required by Ethiopian tax and financial regulations (typically several years).
- Support communications are retained for up to 24 months for quality and dispute-resolution purposes.
Data Security & Breach Notification
- We use industry-standard encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security reviews to protect your data.
- Verification documents are stored with restricted, logged access limited to authorized verification staff.
- No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
- In the event of a data breach that poses a real risk of harm to you, we will notify affected users and, where required, the relevant Ethiopian authority, without undue delay and in line with applicable legal timelines.
Legal Basis & Your Consent
Where required by law, we process your personal data on the basis of: your consent (e.g., for marketing, location access), performance of a contract (e.g., account services), our legitimate interests (e.g., fraud prevention, service improvement), or compliance with a legal obligation. You may withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis for processing, without affecting processing already carried out.
International Data Transfers
Some of our service providers (e.g., cloud hosting, database, or analytics providers) may store or process data outside Ethiopia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure those providers maintain a comparable standard of data protection, including through contractual safeguards.
Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@yaltopia.com. We will respond within 30 days.
Marketing Preferences
You can opt out of promotional emails and notifications at any time via your Account Settings or the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email. You will still receive essential transactional and security communications (e.g., booking confirmations, security alerts).
Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you logged in, remember preferences, and understand how the Platform is used. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings; disabling some cookies may affect Platform functionality. See our Cookie Policy at /cookies for details.
Account Deletion
You can delete your account and associated personal data at any time from Account Settings in the app, or via our dedicated account deletion page. Some data may be retained after deletion as described in the Data Retention section above or where required by law (e.g., financial records, active disputes).
Delete your accountChildren's Privacy
Our service is intended for users 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn we have inadvertently collected such data, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe a child has provided us data should contact privacy@yaltopia.com immediately.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be notified via email or in-app notice, and the "Last updated" date will reflect the most recent revision. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.
Contact Us
Yaltopia Homes is a product of Yaltopia Software Technology PLC, registered in Ethiopia (registration number, TIN, and registered office address to be added here once available).
For any privacy questions, requests, or complaints: