Privacy Policy

Last updated: 12/16/2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Applications.co.zw ("we", "us", "our", or "the Platform"). This Privacy Policy explains how Applications.co.zw collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our digital application marketplace platform.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy applies to all users of Applications.co.zw, including visitors, registered users, and Developers.

By using Applications.co.zw, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our platform.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our platform. The types of information we collect include:

2.1 Information You Provide

When you use Applications.co.zw, you may provide us with:

  • Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, name (first name and last name), and optionally a profile picture or avatar
  • Authentication Information: If you register using third-party authentication services (such as Google or Facebook), we may receive your name, email address, and profile picture from those services
  • Developer Information: If you register as a Developer, we collect additional information including organization name, phone number, location (city and country), organization logo, company website, and company description
  • Application Information: If you are a Developer, we collect information about your applications including app name, description, category, operating system compatibility, pricing information, media files (icons, images, screenshots), and download files or links
  • Communication Information: When you contact us for support or inquiries, we collect the information you provide in your communications, including your email address and the content of your messages
  • Reviews and Comments: If you post reviews, comments, or ratings on applications, we collect the content of those reviews and comments

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you use Applications.co.zw, we automatically collect certain information:

  • Device Information: We may collect information about your device, including device type, operating system, browser type and version, screen resolution, and device identifiers
  • Usage Information: We collect information about how you interact with our platform, including pages visited, features used, search queries, time spent on pages, click patterns, and navigation paths
  • Log Information: We automatically collect log information including IP address, access times, dates and times of your requests, referring website addresses, and error logs
  • Location Information: We may collect general location information based on your IP address or device settings, but we do not collect precise GPS location data
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activities and preferences

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties:

  • Authentication Providers: If you use Google or Facebook to authenticate, we receive information from those services as permitted by your privacy settings
  • Payment Providers: Payment processors such as Paynow may provide us with transaction information, but we do not receive your full payment card details
  • Analytics Services: Third-party analytics services may provide us with aggregated usage statistics and insights

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

3.1 Providing and Improving Our Services

  • To provide, maintain, and improve Applications.co.zw and its features
  • To process your registration and manage your account
  • To enable you to browse, search, and discover applications
  • To facilitate communication between users and Developers
  • To display application information, reviews, and ratings
  • To provide Developer tools and dashboards
  • To analyze usage patterns and improve user experience
  • To develop new features and functionality

3.2 Communication

  • To respond to your inquiries, support requests, and feedback
  • To send you important updates about our platform, your account, or your applications
  • To notify you about changes to our Terms, Privacy Policy, or platform features
  • To send you administrative messages and notifications
  • To facilitate communication between users and Developers regarding applications

3.3 Payment Processing

  • To process payments for application purchases (where applicable)
  • To facilitate transactions between users and Developers
  • To manage payment methods and billing information
  • To prevent fraud and ensure payment security
  • To comply with financial regulations and payment provider requirements

3.4 Security and Safety

  • To protect the security and integrity of Applications.co.zw
  • To detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security threats
  • To verify user identities and prevent unauthorized access
  • To investigate violations of our Terms or applicable laws
  • To enforce our policies and protect our rights

3.5 Legal Compliance

  • To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes in Zimbabwe
  • To respond to legal requests and court orders
  • To protect our rights, property, and safety, and that of our users
  • To enforce our Terms and Privacy Policy

3.6 Analytics and Research

  • To analyze usage patterns and trends
  • To understand how users interact with our platform
  • To conduct research and improve our services
  • To generate aggregated, anonymized statistics

4. Payment Information and Processing

Payment Processing: Applications.co.zw uses third-party payment processors, including Paynow and other payment services available in Zimbabwe, to process payments for application purchases. We do not directly process or store your full payment card details.

Information Shared with Payment Providers: When you make a purchase, we may share certain information with payment processors, including:

  • Your name and email address
  • Transaction amount and description
  • Billing information (as required by the payment provider)
  • Device identifiers (for fraud prevention)

Payment Provider Privacy: Payment processors have their own privacy policies governing how they collect, use, and protect your payment information. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of payment providers before making purchases.

Payment Card Information: We do not collect, store, or have access to your full payment card numbers, CVV codes, or PINs. This information is handled directly by payment processors in accordance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements.

Transaction Records: We maintain records of transactions for accounting, tax, and legal purposes. These records may include transaction amounts, dates, application information, and payment method types (but not full payment card details).

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 With Developers

When you interact with applications or make purchases, we may share certain information with Developers:

  • Your name and email address (for transaction processing and communication)
  • Transaction information (for order fulfillment)
  • Reviews and ratings you post (which are publicly visible)
  • Application usage statistics (aggregated and anonymized)

Developers are required to use this information in accordance with their privacy policies and applicable law. We are not responsible for how Developers use your information.

5.2 With Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

  • Payment Processors: Such as Paynow, to process payments
  • Hosting Providers: To host our platform and store data
  • Analytics Services: To analyze usage and improve our services
  • Email Services: To send communications
  • Authentication Providers: To facilitate login services

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

5.3 Public Information

Certain information may be publicly visible on Applications.co.zw:

  • Developer profiles (organization name, logo, location)
  • Application information (name, description, media, reviews)
  • Public reviews, ratings, and comments
  • Public user profiles (if you choose to make your profile public)

5.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

  • Court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
  • Government requests or regulatory requirements
  • Law enforcement requests
  • Legal proceedings or disputes

5.5 Business Transfers

If Applications.co.zw is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

5.6 With Your Consent

We may share your information with your explicit consent or at your direction.

6. Cookies, Storage, and Third-Party Services

We use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to collect and store information about your use of Applications.co.zw. Additionally, we work with third-party services that may use cookies, storage, and display advertisements.

6.1 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Required for the platform to function properly, such as authentication and security cookies
  • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings to improve your experience
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our platform
  • Performance Cookies: Collect information about how you use our platform to help us improve performance

6.2 Local Storage and Browser Storage

We use browser storage technologies, including:

  • Local Storage: To store your preferences, theme settings, and other information to enhance your experience
  • Session Storage: To maintain your session and temporary data during your visit
  • IndexedDB: For storing application data and cache to improve performance

This stored information helps us provide a personalized experience and remember your settings across sessions. You can clear this data through your browser settings at any time.

6.3 Third-Party Advertising and Services

Applications.co.zw may display advertisements from third-party advertising networks and services. These third parties may:

  • Use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activities
  • Display personalized advertisements based on your interests and browsing history
  • Track your interactions with advertisements for analytics and advertising purposes
  • Use local storage and other browser storage technologies to store advertising-related data

Third-Party Privacy Policies: These third-party advertising services have their own privacy policies and data collection practices. We do not control how these third parties collect, use, or share your information. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services to understand their practices.

Opting Out: You may opt out of personalized advertising by adjusting your browser settings, using ad-blocking software, or visiting the opt-out pages provided by advertising networks. However, you may still see advertisements, though they may be less relevant to your interests.

6.4 Managing Cookies and Storage

You can control cookies and browser storage through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies or clearing storage may affect the functionality of Applications.co.zw. Most browsers allow you to:

  • View and delete cookies and stored data
  • Block cookies from specific websites
  • Block all cookies
  • Delete all cookies and stored data when you close your browser
  • Clear local storage and session storage

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols
  • Secure storage of data with access controls
  • Regular security assessments and updates
  • Access controls and authentication mechanisms
  • Regular backups of data
  • Employee training on data security

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Responsibility: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. Please use strong passwords and do not share your account information with others.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Account Information: We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information, except where we are required to retain it for legal, tax, or accounting purposes.

Transaction Records: We retain transaction records for accounting, tax, and legal compliance purposes, typically for a minimum of 7 years as required by Zimbabwean law.

Public Content: Reviews, ratings, and comments may remain publicly visible even after account deletion, unless you request their removal.

9. Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

9.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal information
  • Request a copy of your personal information in a portable format
  • Know what personal information we hold about you

9.2 Correction and Update

You can:

  • Update your account information through your account settings
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Modify your profile information at any time

9.3 Deletion

You have the right to:

  • Delete your account and associated personal information
  • Request deletion of specific information
  • Remove your applications and associated data (for Developers)

Note: We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes, such as transaction records for tax compliance.

9.4 Opt-Out and Preferences

You can:

  • Opt-out of marketing communications (though you may still receive important service-related messages)
  • Manage your cookie preferences through browser settings
  • Control what information is publicly visible on your profile
  • Disable certain features or data collection where available

9.5 Objection and Restriction

You have the right to object to certain processing of your personal information and to request restriction of processing in certain circumstances, subject to applicable law.

9.6 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@applications.co.zw. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

10. Children's Privacy

Applications.co.zw is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.

11. International Data Transfers

Applications.co.zw is primarily operated in Zimbabwe. However, some of our service providers may be located outside of Zimbabwe. When we transfer your information to service providers in other countries, we take steps to ensure that your information is protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

By using Applications.co.zw, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside Zimbabwe, including countries that may have different data protection laws than Zimbabwe.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

Applications.co.zw may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to such third-party services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our platform.

Payment Providers: When you make purchases, you will be directed to payment provider websites (such as Paynow) that have their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for how payment providers handle your information.

13. Zimbabwe-Specific Privacy Considerations

Data Protection Laws: We comply with applicable data protection laws in Zimbabwe. While Zimbabwe does not have comprehensive data protection legislation equivalent to GDPR, we follow best practices and international standards for data protection.

Local Regulations: We comply with relevant Zimbabwean laws and regulations regarding data privacy, including but not limited to:

  • Constitutional provisions on privacy
  • Telecommunications and postal services regulations
  • Consumer protection laws
  • Financial services regulations (for payment processing)

Government Requests: We may be required to disclose information in response to lawful requests from Zimbabwean government authorities, courts, or law enforcement agencies in accordance with applicable law.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, legal requirements, or for other reasons. If we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you by:

  • Posting the updated Privacy Policy on our platform
  • Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy
  • Sending you an email notification (if you have provided an email address)
  • Displaying a prominent notice on our platform

Your continued use of Applications.co.zw after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the changes, you should stop using our platform and may delete your account.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We will make reasonable efforts to respond to your inquiries in a timely manner, typically within 30 days of receiving your request.

16. Consent

By using Applications.co.zw, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not consent to this Privacy Policy, please do not use our platform.