Privacy Policy & Data Safety

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

Welcome to ማዕተብ (Maeteb). We are dedicated to serving the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church community by providing a secure platform for spiritual event discovery and bookings. This Privacy Policy describes how we handle your data to provide these services while maintaining the spiritual values of our community.

1

Information We Collect

In accordance with Google Play Data Safety standards and global privacy regulations, we collect the following information:

Personal Information

Name, email address, and optional profile details. Includes religious name (baptismal name) to personalize your spiritual experience, with toggle visibility controls.

Financial Information

Secure payment details processed for ticket purchases and donations, handled through certified Ethiopian payment gateways.

Location Data

Approximate and precise location (GPS/Network) to find nearby spiritual events and provide route guidance to event locations.

Messages & Communications

Emails and in-app messages related to event participation, organizer coordination, and spiritual gathering notifications.

App Activity & Preferences

App interactions, search history, and preferences to improve event recommendations (Guba'e and Guzo) and personalize your spiritual journey.

Device Information

Unique device identifiers for security, anti-fraud measures, and analytics to ensure app security and optimal performance.

Note: All data collection is optional except where required for core app functionality. You can control what data you share in your account settings.

2

Purpose of Data Collection

App Functionality

To manage your profile, bookings, and provide core app features for spiritual event discovery.

Developer Communications

To send updates about spiritual gatherings, event participation status, and important announcements.

Security & Fraud Prevention

To ensure your payments and account remain secure through advanced fraud detection systems.

Event Notifications

To inform you about upcoming spiritual events, Guba'e, Guzo, and personalized recommendations.

3

How Your Data is Shared

Payment Partners

We share data with secure payment providers such as Telebirr, CBE Birr, or Chappa to process transactions. We do not sell your personal spiritual preferences to third parties. All payment partners are compliant with Ethiopian financial regulations.

Data Sharing Details:

  • Location Services: Shared with mapping providers to provide localized event information and route guidance.

    Location data is anonymized when possible

  • Third-Party Analytics: Shared with Google Play Services and Analytics to monitor app performance and user experience.

    Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized

  • Sponsor Websites: Clicking sponsor images may route to external websites governed by their own privacy policies.

    We recommend reviewing external site policies

  • Service Providers: Shared with trusted partners for hosting, maintenance, and customer support services.

    All partners are bound by strict confidentiality agreements

4

Security Practices

Data Encryption

All data is encrypted in transit using HTTPS/SSL (TLS 1.3) and at rest using AES-256 encryption. We implement end-to-end encryption for sensitive communications.

Secure Transactions

Financial information is handled through secure, industry-standard PCI-DSS compliant protocols. We never store your full payment credentials on our servers.

Additional Security Measures:

  • Regular security audits and penetration testing
  • Two-factor authentication for user accounts
  • Secure data center facilities with 24/7 monitoring
  • Regular employee privacy training
  • Incident response and breach notification procedures
  • Data minimization and retention policies
5

Data Deletion and Your Rights

Your Data Protection Rights

You have full control over your personal data. Under Ethiopian data protection principles and international standards, you have the right to:

Access your personal data
Correct inaccurate data
Delete your personal data
Restrict data processing
Data portability
Object to processing

Method 1: In-App Deletion

Step-by-step
Navigate to Profile → Settings → Privacy Center → Delete Account. This triggers immediate data removal from our active systems.

Method 2: Web Request

Online Portal
Login to our website and submit a request at: maeteb.com/account/delete

Important: Upon account deletion, personal data is immediately removed from active systems within 24 hours. Some data may be retained in encrypted backups for up to 30 days for security purposes, after which it is permanently deleted. Certain financial transaction records are retained as required by Ethiopian law for auditing and tax purposes (typically 7 years).

6

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, and community needs. We will notify you of any significant changes by:

  • Posting the updated Privacy Policy on this page
  • Updating the Jan 4, 2026 date at the top of this document
  • Sending you an email notification (if you have provided an email)
  • Displaying an in-app notification about the changes

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective immediately when they are posted on this page, unless otherwise noted.

7

Contact Us

For questions regarding this policy, your data privacy, or to exercise your data rights, please contact our Data Protection Team:

Data Protection Officer Contact:

Response Time: We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 48 hours during business days (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EAT).

Language: Correspondence is available in English and Amharic as per your preference.