This Privacy Policy explains how Penzio (“we”, “us”, “our”),
operated in connection with the Android application com.eastafricadating,
collects, uses, stores, and shares personal information when you use our dating service in Kenya and East Africa.
1. Who we are
Penzio is a social dating application that helps adults discover profiles, match, message,
upload photos/stories, and optionally subscribe to Premium features.
Data controller / operator: Penzio
Country of operation: Kenya
Privacy / support contact:
penziodatingapp@gmail.com
2. Scope
This Policy applies to:
- The Penzio mobile application on Android
- Related backend services (including Firebase Authentication, Firestore, Storage, Cloud Functions, Cloud Messaging)
- Premium payments processed via M-Pesa STK Push
- Any support communications you send us
3. Information we collect
3.1 Account and profile information
- Name / display name, username
- Age and date of birth (to confirm you are 18+)
- Gender, bio, occupation, relationship goals, interests
- Country, county, city / location labels you provide
- Profile photos and other images you upload
- Verification status and profile completion status
3.2 Content you create
- Stories and favorite posts / media uploads
- Captions and messages you send to other users
- Likes, passes, matches, blocks, and reports
3.3 Technical and device data
- Device identifiers and push notification tokens (FCM)
- App version, OS version, crash/diagnostic logs
- IP address and approximate network information
- Online/last-seen presence status while using the app
3.4 Location data
With your permission, we may collect precise or approximate location
(ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION / ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) to power Nearby features and improve matching relevance.
You can deny or revoke location permission in your device settings. Some features may then be limited.
3.5 Payment information
Premium subscriptions are paid through M-Pesa. We collect the phone number you enter for STK Push
(for example in 07XXXXXXXX or 254XXXXXXXXX format). We do not store your M-Pesa PIN.
Payment confirmation data (such as receipt references, premium status, and premium expiry) may be stored
on your user record to unlock Premium.
3.6 Information from other users
Other users may report or block you. Reports may include descriptions of alleged misconduct
and related content for safety review.
4. How we use your information
- Create and manage your account
- Show your profile to other eligible users and enable discovery, matching, and chat
- Display stories, posts, and photos you choose to share
- Provide Premium features and process M-Pesa payments
- Send push notifications about matches, messages, and service updates
- Maintain safety (fraud prevention, abuse detection, block/report handling)
- Improve app performance, fix bugs, and analyse aggregated usage trends
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms
5. Legal bases (where applicable)
Depending on applicable law (including the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019), we process data based on:
- Contract: to provide the dating service you request
- Consent: for optional permissions such as location, notifications, and certain marketing
- Legitimate interests: safety, security, product improvement, and preventing misuse
- Legal obligation: where we must retain or disclose information by law
6. How we share information
We may share information with:
- Other users: profile details, photos, stories, and messages you choose to share
- Service providers: Google Firebase / Google Cloud (auth, database, storage, messaging, functions), maps providers, analytics/crash tools if enabled
- Payment partners: M-Pesa / Safaricom and related payment processors to complete STK payments
- Law enforcement or regulators: when required by law or to protect users’ safety
- Business transfers: if we merge, sell, or reorganise the business, subject to appropriate safeguards
We do not sell your personal information.
7. Photos, messages, and public visibility
Dating apps are social by nature. Information you place on your profile, stories, or posts may be visible
to other users. Messages are shared with the intended recipient(s). Do not upload content you are not comfortable sharing.
Once shared with others, we cannot fully control how recipients reuse that content outside the app.
8. Retention
We keep personal data only as long as needed for the purposes above, including:
- While your account remains active
- For a reasonable period after deletion for backups, dispute handling, fraud prevention, and legal compliance
- Payment/transaction records as required by tax or financial rules
- Safety/report records as needed to protect the community
When data is no longer required, we delete or anonymise it where practicable.
9. Security
We use industry-standard safeguards (encryption in transit, access controls, authenticated backend services).
No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. Please use a strong password, keep your device secure,
and never share OTPs, PINs, or verification codes.
10. Children’s privacy
Penzio is strictly for adults aged 18 years and older.
We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If we learn that an underage account exists,
we will delete it. Contact us if you believe a minor is using the app.
11. Your rights
Subject to applicable law, you may request to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your account and related personal data
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (Kenya) or your local authority
To exercise these rights, email penziodatingapp@gmail.com
from the email/phone associated with your account. We may verify your identity before acting.
12. Account deletion
You may request deletion of your Penzio account by contacting support or using in-app deletion controls if available.
Deleting the app from your device does not automatically delete your account data.
Some information may remain temporarily in backups or where retention is legally required.
13. International transfers
Our infrastructure providers (including Google Firebase) may process data in data centres outside Kenya.
Where transfers occur, we rely on appropriate contractual and technical safeguards offered by those providers.
14. Push notifications
With your permission, we send notifications about matches, chats, and service updates.
You can disable notifications in your device settings at any time.
15. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date will change when we do.
Material changes may be notified in-app or by other reasonable means. Continued use after an update
means you acknowledge the revised Policy.
16. Contact
Questions about privacy:
Email: penziodatingapp@gmail.com
Operated in Kenya