Privacy Policy - Muco Hostels

This policy explains what information the Muco Hostels mobile application and its related landlord and administrator applications collect, why we collect it, and what choices you have. Muco Hostels is operated by Etova Softwares LTD ("we", "us").

Information we collect

Account information. When you sign in with Google, we receive and store your name, email address, and profile photo URL from your Google account, together with a Firebase authentication identifier. We also store your role in the app (student, landlord, or administrator) and a phone number if you provide one.

Student profile. If you use the app as a student, we may store your admission number, programme of study, and year of study.

Landlord information. If you use the app as a landlord, we store your contact details and information about the properties you list, including photographs, room types, room counts, and vacancy figures. Your phone number is shown to students on your hostel listings so they can contact you.

Bookings and applications. We store the room applications and bookings you make, and their status.

Payment records. We store a record of rent payments, including the amount, the method you say you used, an optional phone number, and whether a landlord or administrator has confirmed receipt. The app does not process payments. We do not take card details, and no money moves through the app. Payments happen outside the app and are recorded here so that students and landlords have a shared history.

Notifications. We store the in-app notifications generated for you, such as changes to an application or payment status.

Information we do not collect

• We do not collect your device location.
• We do not collect card numbers or bank account details.
• We do not sell your personal information to anyone.
• We do not use your information for advertising, and the app does not show ads.

Fingerprint and biometric lock

The app offers an optional fingerprint or biometric lock. This is handled entirely by your device's operating system. Your fingerprint or biometric data never leaves your device, is never transmitted to us, and we never have access to it.

How we use your information

• To create and secure your account and sign you in
• To show hostel listings, photographs, and availability
• To let students contact landlords and apply for rooms
• To let landlords and administrators manage listings, applications, and payment records
• To send you notifications about your applications and payments

Who your information is shared with

We share personal information only where it is necessary to run the service:

• Google Firebase Authentication - handles sign-in on our behalf.
• Our hosting provider - stores the application database and uploaded photographs on secure servers.
• Other users, where the app is designed to show it - a landlord's phone number appears on their hostel listings, and a student's name appears on applications and payment records they submit to that landlord.
• Your university, where the app is deployed by an institution that administers student accommodation.

We do not share your information with anyone else except where required by law.

How long we keep your information

We keep your account information for as long as your account is active. Booking and payment records are retained while they are needed for accommodation administration. When an account is deleted, its associated profile, bookings, and settings are deleted with it.

Your rights

You may ask us to:

• Give you a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correct information that is wrong or out of date
• Delete your account and the personal information associated with it

To make any of these requests, email us at the address below. We will respond within 30 days.

Children

Muco Hostels is intended for university students, landlords, and university staff, and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

Security

Data is transmitted over encrypted connections and stored on secured servers. Authentication is handled by Google Firebase. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information against unauthorised access.

Data protection law

We handle personal information in line with the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy we will update the date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be announced in the app.

Contact us

Questions, requests, or complaints about this policy or your data:

Email: info@naroxe.co.ke