1. Introduction
Welcome to NIHILOBA.
This Privacy Policy explains how NIHILOBA collects, uses, stores and protects personal information when you use our website, our digital products and services, including SHIDA, our WhatsApp-based platform.
At NIHILOBA, we believe privacy should not be an afterthought. Protecting personal information is a fundamental part of how we design and develop our products. Whenever possible, SHIDA is built to collect only the information necessary to provide the requested service.
By using SHIDA or the NIHILOBA website, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
2. Who We Are
NIHILOBA is a technology company developing practical digital solutions that simplify access to everyday services.
Our first product is SHIDA, a platform operating through WhatsApp that helps individuals, professionals, businesses and institutions manage services such as:
- Employment
- Professional services
- Housing
- Transport
- Appointment management
Additional products and services may be introduced in the future.
3. Scope of This Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to:
- the NIHILOBA website;
- SHIDA on WhatsApp;
- communication with our support team;
- future NIHILOBA digital services unless a separate privacy policy is provided.
4. Information We Collect
The information collected depends on how you use SHIDA.
4.1 Account Information
When creating an account, we may collect:
- Name
- WhatsApp phone number
- Preferred language
- Country
- City
- Profile type, such as personal, business or both
4.2 Marketplace Information
Depending on the marketplace you use, SHIDA may collect additional information.
Employment
Examples include:
- Job title
- Professional description
- Employer information
- Salary or budget, if provided
- Application information
Services
Examples include:
- Business or provider name
- Service categories
- Availability
- Appointment preferences
- Service descriptions
Housing
Examples include:
- Property descriptions
- Rental information
- Visit requests
- General location
Transport
Examples include:
- Departure
- Destination
- Journey information
4.3 Support Requests
If you contact NIHILOBA Support, we may collect:
- Your support message
- Conversation history related to your request
- Information necessary to resolve the issue
4.4 Technical Information
To operate SHIDA securely, limited technical information may be processed, such as:
- WhatsApp identifiers required by the WhatsApp Cloud API
- Platform event timestamps
- Basic technical logs used for troubleshooting and service reliability
We do not intentionally collect unnecessary technical information.
5. Information We Do Not Intentionally Collect
Unless required for a future feature that clearly explains why the information is needed, SHIDA does not intentionally collect:
- Passwords
- Credit or debit card information
- Banking credentials
- Biometric information
- Medical records
- Government identity documents
- Sensitive personal information unrelated to the requested service
If such information is accidentally shared with us, we may remove it where appropriate.
6. How We Use Your Information
Your information is used to:
- create and manage your account;
- operate SHIDA’s marketplaces;
- match users with relevant opportunities or services;
- manage appointments and requests;
- provide customer support;
- improve the quality of our products;
- detect abuse or fraudulent activity;
- maintain platform security.
We do not use personal information for unrelated purposes without informing users.
7. How SHIDA Protects Your Privacy
Protecting personal information is one of SHIDA’s design principles.
Employment
Job applications are shared only with the employer to whom the candidate chooses to apply.
Services
Service providers receive only the information necessary to process a booking or service request.
Housing
Property owner phone numbers are not publicly displayed.
Contact information is only shared when the housing workflow requires it, such as after a visit has been proposed and confirmed.
Transport
Only information necessary to organise the journey is exchanged between participants.
Churches
Pastoral appointment requests remain visible only to the relevant church account.
Schools
Information provided for school appointments is accessible only to the relevant school.
Public Institutions
Appointment information is intended to remain accessible only to authorised personnel responsible for the requested service.
9. Data Retention
We retain information only for as long as necessary to:
- operate SHIDA;
- comply with legal obligations;
- resolve disputes;
- prevent fraud;
- improve platform reliability.
Users may request deletion of their personal information, subject to applicable legal or operational requirements.
10. Your Rights
Depending on applicable laws, you may have the right to:
- access your personal information;
- correct inaccurate information;
- request deletion;
- object to certain processing;
- request a copy of your information where applicable;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Requests may be submitted using the contact information provided below.
11. Privacy by Design
Privacy is considered from the beginning of product development rather than added afterwards.
Whenever possible, SHIDA is designed to:
- minimise unnecessary data collection;
- limit information sharing to what is required for the requested service;
- separate public and private information;
- continuously improve privacy protections as new features are introduced.
12. International Use
Although SHIDA’s first use cases have focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the platform is designed to operate internationally.
Privacy practices may evolve as NIHILOBA expands into additional countries while respecting applicable local laws.
14. Children’s Privacy
SHIDA is not intended for children to use independently where parental or legal guardian consent is required by applicable law.
Certain services, such as school-related appointments, may involve information submitted by parents or legal guardians on behalf of children.
15. Changes to This Policy
As SHIDA continues to evolve, this Privacy Policy may be updated.
The effective date at the top of this page will always indicate the latest version.
Where appropriate, significant changes will be communicated through the website or SHIDA.
16. Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, you may contact us at:
Email: privacy@nihiloba.com
Final Note
This Privacy Policy reflects the current design and operation of NIHILOBA and SHIDA. It is intended to explain our practices in clear language.
As new products and features are introduced, this policy will be reviewed and updated so that it remains accurate, transparent and aligned with applicable privacy laws.