Privacy Policy

At TaxEase Nigeria, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you register for TaxEase Nigeria, we collect:

• Full name and email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Employment status and income range (not exact amounts)
• State of residence, marital status, and number of dependents
• Tax filing status and compliance history
• Payment information (processed securely through Paystack)

1.2 Usage Information

We automatically collect information about how you interact with our platform:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, device ID)
• IP address and location data
• Pages visited and features used
• Tax calculations and AI chat conversations
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

1.3 AI Chat Data

When you use our AI Tax Assistant, we collect:

• Your questions and chat messages
• AI-generated responses
• Chat session metadata (date, time, duration)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide Services: Calculate taxes, generate reports, provide AI assistance
• Process Payments: Handle subscription payments through Paystack
• Personalize Experience: Tailor recommendations and content to your profile
• Improve Platform: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features
• Communicate: Send important updates, tax reminders, and promotional content
• Ensure Security: Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Legal Compliance: Comply with Nigerian tax laws and regulations

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 We Share Information With:

• Paystack: For payment processing (subject to their privacy policy)
• OpenAI/Anthropic: AI chat data for processing (anonymized where possible)
• Pinecone: Vector database for AI knowledge storage
• Vercel: Hosting and infrastructure services
• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist in operating our platform

3.2 We Do NOT Share Information With:

• Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or any tax authority
• Your employer (unless you explicitly authorize it)
• Marketing or advertising companies for sale
• Any third party for purposes other than operating our platform

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by Nigerian law, court order, or government regulation.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All data transmitted is encrypted using SSL/TLS
• Secure Storage: Database encryption at rest
• Access Controls: Limited employee access on need-to-know basis
• Regular Audits: Security assessments and penetration testing
• Authentication: Secure login with JWT tokens

Important: No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Rights and Choices

You Have the Right To:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
• Export: Download your data in a portable format
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails
• Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your information

To exercise these rights, email us at privacy@taxease.ng

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality (login, session)
• Analytics Cookies: Understand user behavior and improve services
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect platform functionality.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for:

• Active Accounts: As long as your account is active
• Tax Records: 6 years (as required by Nigerian tax law)
• Legal Compliance: As required by applicable laws
• After Deletion: Backup copies deleted within 90 days

8. Children's Privacy

TaxEase Nigeria is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside Nigeria (e.g., United States for AI processing). We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes via:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on our platform
• Updated "Last Updated" date at the top

Continued use of TaxEase Nigeria after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

12. Nigerian Data Protection Compliance

TaxEase Nigeria complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019. We are committed to:

• Obtaining lawful consent for data collection
• Ensuring data accuracy and quality
• Limiting data processing to specified purposes
• Protecting personal data with appropriate security
• Respecting data subject rights under NDPR