Aqarim Privacy Policy

Last updated: 15 June 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Aqarim (the "app", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares and protects your personal data when you use the Aqarim mobile app, its website and related services.

Aqarim is a real-estate classifieds app for the Mauritanian market. It lets you browse, publish and manage property listings (apartments, villas, houses, land, commercial premises), contact advertisers and chat through an in-app messaging system.

This policy reflects the data practices of version 1.3.0 (build 77), application identifier com.aqarim.aqarim.

1. Data controller

The controller responsible for processing your data is:

• Legal entity: Aqarim
• Address: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
• Contact email: developer@aqarim.com

For any question about this policy or your personal data, write to us at developer@aqarim.com.

2. Using the app without an account (guest mode)

You can browse the feed and listings without creating an account (guest mode). In this mode we do not collect your name or phone number.

Creating an account (sign-in with your phone number and a one-time SMS passcode — OTP) is only required to:

• publish and manage your own listings;
• use user-to-user messaging;
• upload a payment proof.

Even in guest mode, certain technical data described below (for example device and diagnostic data) may be processed.

3. Data we collect and why

3.1 Account data (name and phone number)

When you create an account we collect your name and your phone number. Authentication is performed with a one-time passcode (OTP) sent by SMS, via Firebase Authentication.

• Purpose: create and secure your account, identify you, associate you with your listings and conversations, and allow other users to contact you.

If email-and-password registration is enabled for your market, we also collect your email address and the password you set. The app does not offer sign-in through third-party providers (Google, Apple); access is by phone number (and by email where enabled).

3.2 Location data (precise and approximate)

The app requests precise (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) and approximate (ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) location access.

• Purpose: show listings on a map, browse nearby listings, and attach a location to the listings you publish.
• Location is used only when you access map features. You can deny or revoke this permission in your device settings; some map features will then be limited.

3.3 Photos and camera

The app requests access to your photo library and camera (iOS permissions NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription and NSCameraUsageDescription).

• Purpose: let you upload a profile picture and photos for your property listings.
• We access your photos only when you select or take an image for an upload.

3.4 Microphone and audio messages

The app requests microphone access (RECORD_AUDIO, iOS NSMicrophoneUsageDescription).

• Purpose: record and send audio messages in the in-app chat.
• The microphone is activated only when you choose to record a voice message.

3.5 Messaging content

Aqarim provides user-to-user messaging. We process the content of the messages you exchange (text, images and audio messages).

• Purpose: deliver and display your conversations, and enable moderation when abuse is reported.

3.6 Push notifications and FCM token

If you consent, we send push notifications via Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). For this purpose we process an FCM registration token; on Android 13+ the POST_NOTIFICATIONS permission is requested.

• Purpose: inform you about new messages, activity on your listings and service updates.
• You can disable notifications at any time in your device settings.

3.7 Purchases and monetization (in-app purchases)

The app offers in-app purchases (Android permission com.android.vending.BILLING) to increase the visibility of your listings (premium / sponsored listings).

• Purpose: process and confirm your visibility purchases.
• Payment transactions are handled by the app stores' payment platforms (Apple App Store, Google Play). We do not collect or store your full bank-card numbers.

3.8 Payment proofs (financial images)

For certain manual payments, you may upload a screenshot or photo of a payment proof.

• Purpose: manually verify a payment and activate the corresponding service.
• These images may contain financial or transactional information; they are processed only for payment-verification purposes and retained for as long as necessary for that verification and to meet our obligations.

3.9 Identifiers (device identifier)

We process a device identifier such as the Firebase Cloud Messaging token.

• Purpose: ensure the app works correctly, security, fraud prevention, and push notifications.

3.10 Technical data

We may process basic technical data: device type, operating system, app version, diagnostic logs and IP addresses, for operation, security and troubleshooting.

4. Third parties and recipients

We use third-party providers that process certain data on our behalf or as joint/independent controllers as applicable:

• Firebase / Google (Firebase Authentication, Firebase Cloud Messaging) — phone-OTP authentication and sending push notifications. Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• Google Maps / mapping services — display of listings and interactive maps; location processing may involve Google's mapping services.
• Apple (App Store payments and subscriptions) — processing of in-app purchases on iOS.
• Google Play (billing) — processing of in-app purchases on Android.

We may also disclose data if required by law, in response to a valid legal request, or to protect the rights, safety and property of Aqarim, its users or the public. We do not sell your personal data.

5. Advertising and the advertising identifier

The app does not display third-party advertising in version 1.3.0 (build 77).

• The app does not request or use the Android Advertising ID for this release.
• iOS — App Tracking Transparency: the app does not track your activity across apps and websites owned by other companies and does not display an App Tracking Transparency prompt.
• Paid premium or sponsored listing visibility is an Aqarim in-app service for your own listings, not third-party advertising.

6. Data retention

• Account data (name, phone number): retained while your account is active, then deleted or anonymized after a deletion request (see section 8).
• Listings and their photos: retained while the listing is published or archived in your account.
• Messaging content (text, images, audio): retained to support conversation continuity and moderation, then deleted according to our internal retention periods or on request.
• Payment proofs: retained for as long as necessary for payment verification and to meet our accounting and legal obligations.
• FCM token: retained while valid or until the app is uninstalled / notifications are disabled.
• Technical identifiers: retained for limited periods consistent with their purpose.

Where technically feasible, we delete or anonymize data that is no longer needed.

7. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data. Communications between the app and our servers are encrypted in transit (HTTPS / TLS).

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your rights and account / data deletion

Depending on applicable law, you may have the following rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection and portability of your data. To exercise these rights, write to developer@aqarim.com.

Deleting your account and your data

You can delete your account and the associated data in two ways:

1. Directly in the app: open your Profile, choose "Delete account", then confirm with the one-time SMS passcode (OTP). Your account and the associated personal data are then deleted.
2. By email: by sending a request to developer@aqarim.com from the relevant number / account. We will process your request within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable law.

Following a deletion, we erase or anonymize your personal data, except for data we must retain for legal, accounting or fraud-prevention reasons (for example certain payment proofs).

9. Children

Aqarim is not directed to children and is not intended for anyone under 18 (or under the applicable age of majority). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with data, contact developer@aqarim.com so we can delete it.

10. International transfers

Your data may be processed and stored on servers located outside Mauritania, in particular by our third-party providers (Google / Firebase, Apple). These transfers are governed by the safeguards offered by those providers. By using the app, you understand that your data may be processed in other countries.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. Any material change will be indicated by updating the "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, by an in-app notice. The current version is published at: https://aqarim.com/privacy-policy

12. Contact

For any question, request to exercise rights, or deletion request:

• Publisher: Aqarim
• Email: developer@aqarim.com
• Address: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada