Privacy Policy - VuKart

Last Updated: July 30, 2025

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Collection of Information
3. Use of Personal Data
4. Disclosure or Sharing of Personal Data
5. Retention
6. Cookies
7. Minors
8. Security Measures
9. Your Rights
10. Location Data Usage
11. International Transfers of Personal Data
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
13. How to Contact Us

1. Introduction

We at VuKart ("we," "us," or "VuKart") are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. VuKart is a multi-service platform facilitating taxi services, food delivery, parcel delivery, e-commerce, and other services, connecting consumers ("Users") with service providers ("Providers") such as drivers, restaurants, and merchants.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use the VuKart app, website (https://www.vanuatu-kart.com), or related services (collectively, the "Platform"). It applies to all Users, Providers, and visitors accessing the Platform via mobile devices or web browsers.

2. Collection of Information

We collect personal information in the following categories:

Information You Provide to Us

For Users (e.g., riders, customers ordering food or parcels):

• Contact information: Name, address, phone number, email address.
• Payment information: Credit/debit card details, billing address.
• Order details: Items/services purchased (e.g., food, parcels), quantities, delivery preferences.
• Support information: Details related to complaints or inquiries about Platform services.
• Identification: Government-issued ID (e.g., passport) for verification in certain cases (e.g., account recovery, refunds).

For Providers (e.g., drivers, restaurants, merchants):

• Business information: Business name, registration details, licenses, tax information.
• Service details: Types of services offered (e.g., taxi routes, menu items, products).
• Payment information: Bank account details for receiving payments.
• Contact details: Name, phone number, email address for communication.

For All Users:

• Event participation: Contact details (name, phone, email) if you attend VuKart events.
• Influencers/Bloggers: Social media account details if you promote VuKart.

Information We Collect Automatically

• Transaction data: Details of orders, pricing, delivery status, communications between Users and Providers, dispute records.
• Correspondence: Copies of communications with our support team (e.g., chat, email).
• Device and usage data: IP address, device type, browser type, operating system, app usage patterns.
• Location data: Precise or approximate location from mobile devices (see Section 10).

Information from Third Parties

• Social media platforms: If you register via social media (e.g., Google, Facebook), we may receive your username, profile picture, or email, depending on your privacy settings.
• Verification services: Information from third parties conducting "Know Your Customer" (KYC), fraud, or anti-money laundering checks (e.g., name, email, business details).
• Partners: Data from logistics or payment providers to facilitate services.

We only collect third-party data with your consent or where legally permitted.

3. Use of Personal Data

We use your personal information for:

• Account management: Verifying and setting up User/Provider accounts, including KYC and fraud checks.
• Service delivery: Facilitating taxi rides, food/parcel deliveries, e-commerce purchases, and communications between Users and Providers.
• Payments: Processing transactions, issuing refunds, and managing Provider payouts.
• Customer support: Responding to inquiries, resolving disputes, and handling complaints.
• Logistics: Supporting delivery, tracking, and customs clearance (for international orders).
• Marketing: Sending tailored promotions, discounts, or membership benefits (e.g., birthday rewards) with your consent, where required.
• Analytics: Improving Platform performance, security, and user experience through usage data analysis.
• Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, money laundering, or account risks.
• Compliance: Meeting legal obligations or supporting warranty claims.

4. Disclosure or Sharing of Personal Data

We may share your personal information with:

• Users and Providers: To facilitate transactions (e.g., sharing User address with drivers for delivery).
• Service Providers: Third parties assisting with:
  • Payment processing (e.g., Stripe, governed by their privacy policies).
  • Logistics and delivery (e.g., courier services).
  • Cloud storage (e.g., AWS).
  • Customer support or warranty services.
  • Marketing/advertising (e.g., Google, Facebook) for analytics or targeted ads.
  • Risk assessment (e.g., fraud detection services).
• Business Partners: To offer discounts or promotions, with your consent where required.
• Legal Authorities: To comply with laws, regulations, or legal proceedings (e.g., tax authorities, law enforcement).
• Business Transfers: To buyers in case of a merger, acquisition, or sale, with restrictions on data use.
• With Consent: To any other party if you explicitly consent.

Third-party privacy policies (e.g., payment providers) may apply to shared data.

5. Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined, or as required by law. For example:

• Account data is kept while your account is active and for a period after deletion to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax records).
• Transaction data may be retained to resolve disputes or meet arbitration periods.
  If no longer needed, we delete or anonymize your data. Data in backup archives is securely stored and isolated until deletion is possible.

6. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies (e.g., web beacons) to enhance your Platform experience.

Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Enable core functionality (e.g., remembering cart items, login sessions).
• Analytics Cookies: Track usage patterns to improve Platform performance.
• Marketing Cookies: Deliver personalized ads based on your browsing and order history.
• Session Cookies: Temporary, erased when you close the app/browser.
• Persistent Cookies: Remain until deleted or expired, used for preferences and analytics.

Managing Cookies

• You can disable cookies via your device/browser settings, but this may limit Platform functionality.
• Third-party cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) are governed by their privacy policies.

7. Minors

VuKart is intended for users over 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors under 18 or children under 13. If a minor provides data without parental consent, contact us at privacy@vanuatu-kart.com to remove it.

8. Security Measures

We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

• Encryption for data transmission and storage.
• Secure authentication (e.g., password-protected accounts).
• Regular security audits.
  You are responsible for keeping your password confidential. We never ask for your password. No internet transmission is 100% secure, but we strive to protect your data.

9. Your Rights

You have the following rights, subject to applicable laws:

• Access: Request details of your personal data we hold.
• Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request removal of your data, where permitted.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Restriction: Limit processing in certain cases.
• Portability: Request your data be transferred to another service.
• Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for data processing (does not affect prior lawful processing).
• Complain: Contact a data protection authority (e.g., Vanuatu’s relevant authority or GDPR authorities for EU users).

To exercise these rights, contact contact@vanuatu-kart.com. We may verify your identity before processing requests.

10. Location Data Usage

• For Drivers/Providers: We collect precise or approximate location data when the VuKart app is running (foreground or background) to facilitate taxi, food, or parcel delivery services.
• For Users: We collect location data when you request a service (e.g., taxi pickup, delivery address) if enabled in device settings. You can use VuKart without location data, but manual address entry may be required.
• Purpose: Location data supports order tracking, receipt generation, fraud detection, and customer support.
• Linking: Driver location data may be linked to a User’s account for trip-related purposes, even if the User disables location sharing.

11. International Transfers of Personal Data

Your data may be transferred to or stored in countries outside Vanuatu (e.g., cloud providers in the US). We ensure compliance with applicable laws (e.g., GDPR for EU users) through standard contractual clauses or equivalent safeguards.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. Significant updates will be communicated via the Platform or email, as required by law.

13. How to Contact Us

For questions or to exercise your rights, contact:

• Email: contact@vanuatu-kart.com
• Address: VuKart, Port vila, Vanuatu
  We respond to all requests in accordance with applicable data protection laws.