Privacy & Data Protection Policy

1. Introduction & Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all registered members, sellers, buyers, and casual visitors accessing Adwento across all devices (desktop web, mobile browser, and associated digital touchpoints). By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge the data collection and usage practices described in this document.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the minimum necessary information required to operate a secure, functional classified advertising marketplace:

2.1 Account & Contact Information

• Registration Details: When you register on Adwento, we collect your display name, email address, password (stored exclusively as a salted cryptographic hash), and Pakistani mobile phone number.
• Profile Details: Optional details you choose to share, including your city, preferred language, profile photo, and brief biography.

2.2 Classified Listing Content

• Ad Details: Title, category, price, detailed description, physical city or neighborhood, and item specifications.
• Visual Media: Photographs and images you upload to showcase your items.
• Seller Contact Preferences: Whether you prefer buyers to contact you via in-platform messaging, direct phone call, or WhatsApp.

2.3 Technical, Usage & Device Data

• Device & Network Information: Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser brand and version, operating system, device screen resolution, and time zone.
• Activity Logs: Timestamped records of page views, searches conducted, referral URLs, and session duration to ensure system stability and detect automated bot scrapers.

2.4 Cookies & Local Storage

• We utilize essential cookies to maintain your authenticated login session, remember your city selection, and maintain language preferences. You may control cookie behavior via your browser settings, though disabling essential cookies may impact platform functionality.

3. How We Use Your Information

Adwento uses collected information strictly for legitimate marketplace operations and security purposes:

1. Facilitating Classified Advertising: To publish, display, index, and organize your advertisements so potential buyers can locate your items.
2. Buyer-Seller Communication: To route inquiries, chat notifications, and contact requests between interested parties.
3. Fraud Prevention & Trust: To detect duplicate spam listings, verify phone numbers, monitor abusive behavior, and protect community members from scams.
4. Customer Care & Support: To troubleshoot account issues, answer questions, and process wallet transactions.
5. System Maintenance & Improvements: To optimize website speed, enhance mobile responsiveness, and design relevant platform features.

4. Public Information vs. Private Data

To make informed decisions about your privacy, it is important to understand what information is publicly visible on Adwento:

5. No Sale of Personal Data & Third-Party Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third-party advertisers or data brokers under any circumstances.

We share data only under strictly regulated, necessary conditions:

• Trusted Service Providers: We engage verified cloud hosting, SMS gateway, and email delivery providers who process data strictly under confidentiality agreements to support our platform operations.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: We may disclose personal data if required to do so by applicable laws, court orders, or lawful requests from Pakistani regulatory or law enforcement bodies (including the FIA Cyber Crime Wing and local police).
• Community Safety & Rights Protection: In instances of serious fraud, stolen property investigation, or physical safety threats, we may cooperate with relevant authorities to protect users and the general public.

6. Data Security Measures

We implement robust, multi-layered technical safeguards to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure:

• SSL/TLS Encryption: All communications between your browser and our servers are encrypted using modern Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.3).
• Salted Cryptographic Hashing: Passwords are never stored in plaintext; they are protected using industry-standard hashing algorithms (Bcrypt/Argon2).
• Restricted Administrative Access: Only authorized personnel with verified credentials can access production databases, subject to strict audit trails.
• Automated Threat Filtering: Active firewalls, rate limiting, and brute-force defenses mitigate unauthorized login attempts.

7. Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain your personal information for as long as your account remains active or as required to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

• Active Listings: Displayed for the duration specified during posting or until marked as sold or deleted by you.
• Account Deactivation & Deletion: You can delete individual listings at any time from your account dashboard. If you wish to permanently delete your account and personal data, you may submit a deletion request via our Contact Us page. Upon verification, your profile information will be purged from active systems, subject only to statutory record-retention requirements under Pakistani law.

8. Your Rights & Choices

As an Adwento user, you possess full control over your personal data:

• Access & Review: You can view all information associated with your account by logging in to your dashboard.
• Rectification & Updates: You may correct or update your name, phone number, city, or password at any time via your Profile Settings.
• Listing Visibility: You can edit, hide, or permanently remove your advertisements whenever you wish.
• Marketing Communications: You may opt out of non-essential email notifications while retaining critical account security alerts.

9. Children’s Privacy

Adwento is strictly intended for individuals aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect or maintain personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If we learn that a minor has provided us with personal information, we will take immediate steps to delete such data and close the associated account.

10. Policy Updates & Inquiries

We may amend this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect technological advances or legal requirements. When changes are made, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page.

If you have any questions, privacy concerns, or requests regarding your data, please contact our Privacy Team:

• Online Inquiries: Contact Support
• WhatsApp Assistance: +1 (406) 316-2084
• Mailing Address: Adwento Marketplace, Pakistan