Privacy policy

1. Who we are

TZStay is a Tanzanian accommodation marketplace that connects guests with verified hosts. This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, and the choices you have.

This policy applies to tzstay.co.tz, the TZStay mobile app, and any related services.

2. Information we collect

• Account details: your name, email address, phone number, password (stored as a secure hash), and profile photo.
• Booking details: the stays you book, dates, guests, room selection, and booking status.
• Payment details: the payment provider, transaction reference, amount, and status. We do not store mobile money PINs or full card numbers.
• Verification details for hosts: ID type, ID number (masked after submission), ID images, selfie, and verification outcome.
• Usage information: pages viewed, device type, browser, approximate location, and IP address.
• Messages: the content you send to hosts, guests, or support through the platform.

3. How we use your information

• To create and manage your account.
• To process bookings, payments, cancellations, and refunds.
• To verify hosts and keep the marketplace safe.
• To send booking updates, payment prompts, and support responses.
• To improve search, recommendations, and the overall product.
• To detect fraud, enforce our terms, and comply with Tanzanian law.

4. Legal bases

We process personal data to perform our contract with you, to comply with legal obligations, to protect vital interests, and for legitimate interests such as preventing fraud and improving our service. Where consent is required, we ask for it clearly and you can withdraw it at any time.

5. Sharing your information

We share only what is necessary. Hosts receive the guest name, booking details, and contact information needed to prepare for a stay. Guests receive the host name and the property's location details after a booking is confirmed.

We use service providers for payments, cloud hosting, image storage, email delivery, and analytics. These providers process data on our instructions and under contractual safeguards.

We may disclose information where required by law, court order, or a lawful request from a Tanzanian authority, or where necessary to protect the safety of our users.

6. Payments

Payments are processed by licensed payment service providers. When you pay with mobile money, the provider handles the prompt and confirmation. TZStay receives the transaction status and reference, not your PIN. Card details, where supported, are handled by the provider and are not stored on our servers.

7. Cookies and local storage

We use cookies and browser storage to keep you signed in, remember your theme and language, and understand how the product is used. You can clear these from your browser settings, though some features may stop working.

8. Retention

We keep account and booking records for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards to meet accounting, tax, fraud-prevention, and legal obligations. Verification documents are retained only as long as needed for compliance and dispute resolution.

9. Your rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@tzstay.co.tz. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate information in your profile.
• Request deletion of your account and associated data, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Withdraw consent for optional communications.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Lodge a complaint with the relevant Tanzanian authority.

10. Security

We use encryption in transit, access controls, and industry-standard practices to protect your data. No system is perfectly secure, so please use a strong, unique password and keep your login details private.

11. Children

TZStay is not intended for people under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided information, contact us and we will remove it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the service evolves. When changes are material, we will notify you by email or in the product before they take effect. The date at the top shows the latest version.

13. Contact

Questions about privacy? Email hello@tzstay.co.tz or write to TZStay, Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.