Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

AddisRate ("we", "us") is a guide to discovering, rating and reviewing places in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This policy applies to the website at addisrate.site and the AddisRate apps for Android and iOS, which use the same accounts and data.

2. Information we collect

We only collect what is needed to run AddisRate:

Account information

When you create an account we store your email address, a username, your full name and an encrypted (hashed) password. We never see or store your password in readable form.

Google Sign-In

If you choose "Continue with Google", Google shares your name, email address and profile picture with us so we can create or sign in to your account. We do not receive your Google password and we do not access your Gmail, contacts, calendar or other Google data.

Email and password sign-in

We use your email to verify your account, let you sign in, and send account messages such as email confirmation and password reset links.

Profile information

You can optionally add a profile photo, bio and city. Your name, username, photo and bio are visible to other users. Your email address is never shown publicly.

Content you create

Reviews, star ratings, comments, likes, saved places, follows, lists, places you suggest, creator posts and the photos you upload. Reviews, ratings, comments, public lists and creator posts are visible to everyone. Saved places are private to you. If you apply to become a creator, we store the details you submit (such as name, phone number, bio, social links and sample images) so our team can review your application.

Location

If you allow it, we use your device's location to show places near you and sort results by distance. Your location is kept only on your device; we do not send it to our servers or store it in your account. You can decline or turn off location access at any time in your browser or phone settings, and AddisRate still works without it.

Device and usage information

To understand how AddisRate is used and keep it working well, we record basic usage events: pages and places viewed, searches, the time spent in a session, the general device type (for example phone or desktop), and when you were last active. If you are signed in these are linked to your account; otherwise they are linked to a random session identifier. We do not use advertising identifiers and we do not track you on other websites or apps.

3. How we use your information

• To create and manage your account and keep you signed in
• To show places, reviews, ratings, lists and creator content
• To calculate place ratings and review counts
• To show places near you when you allow location
• To send account emails (verification, password reset)
• To send in-app notifications such as likes, comments, follows and creator decisions
• To review creator applications and moderate content
• To improve AddisRate and protect it from abuse

4. How we store and protect information

Your data is stored securely with Supabase, our database and hosting provider. Connections are encrypted (HTTPS). Access rules in the database ensure people can only change their own content, and only authorised AddisRate administrators can see account emails and activity details.

5. Service providers we use

• Supabase — account sign-in, database and photo storage
• Google — Google Sign-In, and Google Maps for maps and directions
• Our website hosting provider — to deliver the website and apps
• An email delivery provider — to send account emails

These providers process data only to provide their services to us. When you tap "Get Directions", the Google Maps app or website opens and Google's own privacy policy applies there.

6. When we share information

We do not sell your personal information and we do not share it with advertisers. We share information only with the service providers listed above, when you choose to make content public (such as reviews), or when required by law or to protect the safety of our users.

7. Your rights and choices

You can view and edit your profile at any time, edit or delete your own reviews and ratings, remove saved places, turn off location access, and delete your own account whenever you want from Settings. You can ask us for a copy of your data or to correct it by contacting us.

8. Deleting your account and data

You can delete your own account at any time, without asking us first. Open Settings, tap "Delete Account" and confirm. Your account, profile, profile picture, username, reviews, ratings, saved places, lists and creator posts are then removed from AddisRate immediately and you are signed out. This is permanent: the account cannot be recovered or reopened afterwards.

The same option is available in the same place on the website and inside the AddisRate apps for Android and iOS.

If you would rather not use the button, email metimijena5@gmail.com from the email address linked to your account with the subject "Delete my AddisRate account" and we will delete it for you.

Deleting your account removes the content that displays your photos. Photo files you uploaded can stay in our storage provider afterwards; if any are still there, email us and we will remove them, normally within 30 days.

We also confirm the deletion by email when you ask us to do it for you.

9. Data retention

We keep your information while your account is active. When you delete content it is removed from AddisRate. When you delete your account from Settings, your account and profile data are removed straight away; anything not removed automatically, such as uploaded photo files, is removed within 30 days of your request. We keep limited records only where we must meet legal obligations or resolve disputes. Usage records not linked to an account are kept only as long as needed for statistics.

10. Children's privacy

AddisRate is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Cookies and local storage

We use your browser's or app's local storage to keep you signed in, remember your preferences (such as language and appearance), cache places for faster loading and remember your location if you allowed it. We do not use advertising or third-party tracking cookies.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will change the "Last updated" date above and, for important changes, let you know in the app.

13. Contact us

Questions about privacy or your data? Email metimijena5@gmail.com.