POA Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 1, 2026.

POA Gate Limited ("POA," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Platform"). Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using POA, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Platform.

1. Who We Are

POA Gate Limited is a company registered in Tanzania under the Companies Act, with registration number 184244438. We operate the POA Platform of Accommodation, connecting Travelers with Hosts offering accommodations in Tanzania.

Our Contact Information:
• Email: privacy@poagate.com
• Phone: +255 798 800 009
• Whatsapp: +255 796 290 290
• Address: NHC House-Samora Avenue St, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Platform, including:

2.1 Personal Information You Provide to Us

  • Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth, profile photo (To create and manage your account)
  • Identity Verification: Government ID (passport, national ID, driver's license), business license, TIN certificate (To verify your identity and eligibility - required for Hosts)
  • Payment Information: Mobile Money number (Lipa Namba), bank account details, transaction history (To process payments and payouts)
  • Booking Information: Travel dates, number of guests, special requests (To facilitate bookings)
  • Communications: Messages sent through our Platform, emails, WhatsApp conversations (To provide customer support and resolve disputes)
  • Location Information: Precise location when you grant permission, general location from IP address (To show nearby accommodations and improve search results)
  • Photos and Media: Photos you upload of yourself, your accommodations, or reviews (To create listings and enable reviews)

2.2 Information We Collect Automatically

  • Usage Data: How you interact with our Platform, pages viewed, searches performed, bookings made
  • Device Information: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type, mobile network information
  • Log Data: Access times, pages viewed, referring website addresses
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: As described in our Cookie Policy

2.3 Information from Third Parties

  • Payment Processors: Transaction confirmations and payment status
  • Social Media: If you choose to connect your social media account
  • Verification Services: Background check information (for Hosts)
  • Other Users: Reviews and ratings from Travelers or Hosts

3. How We Collect Information

  • Directly from you when you provide it (registration, booking, listing, communication)
  • Automatically as you navigate through our Platform
  • From third parties as described above
  • From public sources (for verification purposes)

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 To Provide and Improve Our Services

Create and manage your account, process bookings and payments, facilitate communication, verify identities, display listings, provide customer support, and resolve disputes.

4.2 To Personalize Your Experience

Recommend accommodations based on your preferences, remember your search filters and settings, and show content in your preferred language.

4.3 To Communicate With You

Send booking confirmations, respond to inquiries, send important updates, send marketing communications (with consent), and request feedback.

4.4 For Safety and Security

Verify identities, detect and prevent fraud, investigate violations of our Terms, and protect the rights and safety of users.

4.5 For Legal Compliance

Comply with applicable laws, respond to legal requests, and enforce our Terms of Service.

4.6 For Analytics and Improvement

Analyze usage patterns, improve our Platform, and develop new features.

5. Sharing Your Information

We share your information only in the following circumstances:

  • With Hosts and Travelers: When you book, your specific details are shared with the Host. When you host, your details are shared with the Traveler.
  • With Service Providers: Third-parties like Payment Processors (Selcom, M-Pesa), Cloud Storage, Customer Support Tools, Analytics Providers, and Communication Providers.
  • For Legal Reasons: If required by law or valid requests by authorities.
  • To Protect Rights and Safety: To enforce Terms, protect safety, or prevent fraud.
  • Business Transfers: In case of merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
  • With Your Consent: For other purposes with your explicit consent.

6. Third-Party Services

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties.

7. Your Choices and Rights

  • Account Information: Update or correct your account information by logging in.
  • Communications: Opt out of marketing emails. Essential transactional messages cannot be opted out of.
  • Location Information: Enable or disable location services through device settings.
  • Your Data Protection Rights (Tanzanian Law): Rights to Access, Correction, Deletion, Objection, Restriction, and Portability. Contact us to exercise these rights.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures including encryption, secure data centers, regular assessments, employee training, and two-factor authentication. However, no transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information as long as necessary to provide services, comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax laws require 5 years), resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Platform is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than Tanzania, with appropriate safeguards in place.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy, sending notifications, and updating the "Last Updated" date.

13. Contact Us

POA Gate Limited
NHC House-Samora Avenue St, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Email: privacy@poagate.com
Phone: +255 798 800 009
WhatsApp: +255 796 290 290

For data protection matters, you may also contact:
Tanzania Data Protection Commissioner
Director General Personal Data Protection Commission
P.O.Box 1105, 1 Moshi Street, Viwandani, 41102 Dodoma
Email: dg@pdpc.go.tz

End of Privacy Policy.