This Privacy Policy explains what information the MeetGala mobile app ("MeetGala", "the App", "we", "us") collects, how it's used, and the choices you have. MeetGala is operated by PayGala (support@paygala.co), based in Tanzania.
1. Information We Collect
We collect only what's needed to run the appointment-booking, chat, and payment features of the App:
- Account information — full name, email address, phone number, gender, profile photo, and account type (customer or service provider).
- Authentication data — a hashed password, or, if you sign in with Google, Apple, or your phone number, the token/identifier those providers give us to verify who you are. We never see or store your Google/Apple password.
- Location details — the country and city you select, used to show you relevant service providers and for a provider's delivery-zone settings.
- Booking information — appointments you request or accept, their date/time, service type, status, and any notes you add.
- Chat content — messages, photos, files, and voice notes you send through in-app chat with a provider or another user, plus read/typing/online status so conversations feel real-time.
- Call metadata — that a voice/video call happened and roughly how long it lasted, to show call history. We do not record call audio or video.
- Wallet and payment information — your in-app wallet balance and transaction history. Card and mobile-money payment details are handled directly by our payment processor, PayGala; we never see or store your full card number.
- Status posts — photos you choose to post as a 24-hour status update, and who has viewed them.
- Device and push-notification data — a device token so we can deliver booking/chat/call notifications, and basic device info (OS, app version) for troubleshooting.
- Contacts (optional) — if you choose to sync your phone contacts, we match phone numbers against registered MeetGala accounts so you can find people you already know. We store only the match results, not your full address book.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To create and secure your account, and verify it's really you (OTP codes by email/SMS, Google/Apple/phone sign-in).
- To let you book, manage, and get reminders about appointments.
- To power in-app chat, calls, and status updates between you and people you're connected with.
- To process wallet top-ups and payments to service providers via PayGala.
- To send you notifications about bookings, messages, and calls.
- To keep the platform safe — detecting abuse, fraud, or violations of our Terms of Service.
- To improve the App based on how it's used.
3. Who We Share Data With
We don't sell your personal information. We share data only with the services that make the App work:
- PayGala — our payment processor, for wallet top-ups and payouts to providers.
- Firebase (Google) — for Google/Apple sign-in verification and push notifications.
- Cloud storage (MinIO) — for hosting uploaded photos (avatars, provider photos, status images, chat attachments).
- SMS and email providers — to deliver verification codes and account notifications.
- Other users, but only what you choose to share — e.g. your profile is visible to people you chat/connect with; a provider's business listing is public.
We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of MeetGala, our users, or the public.
4. Data Retention
- Status posts (photos) automatically expire and are permanently deleted 24 hours after posting.
- Account, booking, chat, and wallet records are kept for as long as your account is active, so features like booking history and chat history keep working.
- Financial/transaction records may be retained longer where required for accounting, tax, or fraud-prevention obligations.
- When you request account deletion (see below), we delete or anonymize your personal data except where we're legally required to retain it.
5. Your Rights and Choices
- Access & correction — you can view and edit your profile information at any time from the app's Settings.
- Delete your account — see our Delete My Account page for how to request permanent deletion of your account and data.
- Contacts sync — you can turn this off at any time; it's entirely optional.
- Notifications — you can disable push notifications from your device's system settings.
6. Children's Privacy
MeetGala is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we'll remove it.
7. Security
We use industry-standard measures — encrypted connections (HTTPS/WSS), hashed passwords, and access-controlled cloud storage — to protect your information. No system is 100% secure, but we work to keep your data safe.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We'll update the "Last updated" date above, and for material changes we'll make a reasonable effort to notify you in the App.
9. Contact Us
Questions, concerns, or requests about your data? Reach us at support@paygala.co.