Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Maalagha ("we," "our," or "us") operates a mobile and web application that connects caregivers and volunteers with families seeking care services for elderly individuals. This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our platform, including families, caregivers, volunteers, patients (care recipients), and visitors to our website.

By using Maalagha, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked with you or your household, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Account Information: Username, password, profile photo, and preferences
• Identity Verification: Government-issued ID, background check results (for caregivers and volunteers)
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment card information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Professional Information: Certifications, training records, work history, references, volunteer experience (for caregivers and volunteers)

2.2 Health Information

As a care coordination service, we may collect sensitive health information, including:

• Medical conditions, diagnoses, and health history of care recipients
• Medication lists and treatment plans
• Mobility and assistance requirements
• Allergies and dietary restrictions
• Emergency contact information and healthcare provider details
• Care session notes and reports from caregivers

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on the platform, click patterns
• Location Data: GPS coordinates (with your permission) to match caregivers with nearby care recipients
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance user experience

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Delivery

• Matching families with suitable caregivers and volunteers based on needs and availability
• Facilitating communication between families, caregivers, volunteers, and patients
• Scheduling and managing care sessions and volunteer visits
• Processing payments and managing billing
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries

3.2 Safety and Verification

• Conducting background checks and verifying caregiver and volunteer credentials
• Monitoring care quality and addressing safety concerns for patients
• Preventing fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
• Complying with legal obligations and responding to legal requests

3.3 Platform Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Developing new features and improving existing ones
• Conducting research and analytics (using anonymized data)
• Sending service updates, notifications, and important announcements

3.4 Marketing Communications (with your consent)

• Sending promotional offers, newsletters, and educational content
• Personalizing your experience based on preferences
• You can opt-out of marketing communications at any time

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Caregivers, Volunteers, and Families

• Families, caregivers, and volunteers can view each other's relevant profile information necessary for care coordination
• Patient health information is shared only with matched caregivers and volunteers to facilitate appropriate care

4.2 Service Providers

• Payment processors for handling transactions
• Background check services for caregiver and volunteer verification
• Cloud hosting providers for secure data storage
• Analytics providers (using anonymized data only)
• Customer support tools and communication platforms

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Prevent fraud or illegal activities
• Respond to emergencies involving danger to life or health

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest (AES-256)
• Access Controls: Role-based access ensures only authorized personnel can access sensitive data
• Regular Audits: We conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Employee Training: Staff undergoes regular privacy and security training
• Secure Infrastructure: We use reputable cloud providers with robust security certifications

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information stored in our systems
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data
• Update your profile information at any time through your account settings

6.2 Data Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and associated data. Note that:

• We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes
• Anonymized data used for analytics may be retained
• Some information may be retained in backup systems for a limited period

6.3 Opt-Out Options

• Marketing Communications: Unsubscribe via links in emails or through account settings
• Location Tracking: Disable location services in your device settings
• Cookies: Manage cookie preferences through your browser settings

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Specific retention periods include:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after account closure for legal compliance
• Health Information: Retained securely for the duration needed to provide care services and as required by applicable laws
• Transaction Records: Retained for tax and accounting purposes as required by law
• Usage Data: Retained for 2 years for analytics and service improvement

8. Children's Privacy

Maalagha is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected information from a child, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

10. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Displaying a prominent notice on our platform

Your continued use of Maalagha after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

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

13. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with:

• Our Privacy Officer (contact information above)
• The appropriate data protection authority in your jurisdiction

We take privacy concerns seriously and will investigate all complaints promptly and thoroughly.