Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

EarnUP is a nearby-work marketplace for Ethiopia. Employers request help (for example electrician, hair, makeup, nursing, mechanic, or daily labour). Workers go online and may be offered jobs nearby. Pay can be held in escrow until work is completed.

For privacy questions contact privacy@earnup.app. For general support, use in-app chat after you have an account, or email hello@earnup.app.

This Policy is written for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, including the Personal Data Protection Proclamation (Proclamation No. 1321/2024) where it applies, and for users who download the apps from Apple or Google.

2. Data we collect

Account data: mobile phone number, one-time password (OTP) verification, display name, language preference, and whether you hire, work, or both.

Profile and work data: category (for example electrician), skills, ratings, job descriptions (text or voice), photos you attach to a job, gig listings, booking status, and messages you send in the in-app chat.

Location: approximate or precise location when you allow it, so we can match nearby workers and jobs. You can refuse location permission; some matching features will not work.

Payments: wallet balance, top-ups, withdrawals, escrow holds, and transaction references. Card or mobile-money details are processed by our payment partner (currently Chapa), we do not store full card numbers.

Device and technical data: app version, device type, operating system, crash logs, push-notification tokens (FCM), IP address, and similar diagnostics.

Website data: pages you visit on the Site, language choice, cookie-consent choice, and (only if you allow optional cookies) limited analytics such as which landing sections are viewed. The marketing Site is not a registration portal.

3. How we use data

To create and secure your account, send OTPs, and prevent fraud or abuse.

To match employers and workers, show job boards, operate chat, ratings, and support.

To process escrow, wallet top-up, and payouts through licensed payment partners.

To send service messages (job offers, chat, payment status) and, where you have agreed, push notifications.

To improve the product, fix bugs, and keep the apps and Site safe.

To comply with Ethiopian law, tax or accounting duties, and lawful requests from competent authorities.

We do not sell your personal data. We do not use job photos or chat content for advertising.

4. Legal bases

We process data because it is needed to perform the contract (providing the marketplace), because we have a legitimate interest in a safe platform, because the law requires it, or because you consented (for example location, optional cookies, or marketing we may add later). You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting processing that already happened.

5. Sharing

Other users see what they need for a job: your display name, category, rating, relevant location area, and messages in that job’s chat. They do not get your full address unless you share it yourself.

Processors who help us run EarnUP: hosting, SMS/OTP, push notifications, maps, analytics (only if you accepted optional cookies on the Site), and Chapa or a successor payment provider. They may only use data on our instructions.

Apple and Google receive what they need to distribute the apps. Their privacy rules also apply to store accounts.

We may disclose data if required by Ethiopian law, to protect rights and safety, or in a merger or sale of the business (the new operator must honour this Policy or notify you of changes).

6. Retention

We keep account and transaction records for as long as you have an account and for a reasonable period after (typically up to seven years for payment and dispute records, or longer if the law requires). Chat and job data are kept while needed to deliver the service, handle disputes, and meet legal duties, then deleted or anonymised.

OTP codes are short-lived. Cookie-consent choices on this Site are stored until you change them or we reset them when this Policy changes in a material way.

7. Security

We use access controls, encrypted transport (HTTPS), and least-privilege practices. No system is perfectly secure. Keep your phone locked and do not share OTP codes. Tell us immediately at privacy@earnup.app if you think your account was misused.

8. Your rights

Subject to Ethiopian law, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, or a copy of your personal data, and you may object to certain processing. You may also withdraw consent (for example location or optional cookies).

To exercise rights, email privacy@earnup.app from a number or detail we can match to your account, or use in-app settings where available. We may need to verify you. You may lodge a complaint with the Ethiopian Personal Data Protection Commission or another competent authority.

Deleting your account stops new matching. We may retain records we must keep (payments, fraud, legal claims).

9. Children

EarnUP is for people 18 years or older. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a minor registered, contact privacy@earnup.app and we will delete the account.

10. International transfers

Servers or processors may be outside Ethiopia (for example cloud or push-notification providers). Where we transfer personal data abroad, we take steps required by applicable law so that it remains protected.

11. Cookies and similar technology

The Site uses strictly necessary storage (for example your language and cookie-consent choice). Optional analytics cookies or similar tools run only after you accept them on our cookie banner. Details are in the Cookie Policy. The mobile apps use device storage and identifiers needed to keep you signed in and send notifications, those are not browser cookies. See also Apple and Google privacy settings on your phone.

12. Changes

We may update this Policy. The “Last updated” date will change. Material changes will be posted on this page and, where appropriate, in the app. Continued use after the update means you accept the new Policy, unless the law requires extra consent.