# Privacy Policy

**Last Updated:** January 16, 2026

The ZETDC Load Shedding App ("we," "our," or "the App") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

## 1. Information We Collect

### A. Information You Provide
- **Saved Locations:** When you add an area to monitor load shedding, we store the name and code of that area. This data is stored locally on your device and sent to our servers to provide you with relevant schedules and notifications.

### B. Automated Data Collection
- **Push Notification Tokens:** To send you real-time alerts about load shedding status, we collect a unique token generated by your device (via Expo/Google Play Services). This token does not identify you personally but identifies your device for the purpose of sending notifications.
- **Network State:** We monitor whether your device is connected to the internet to ensure the App can fetch the latest data.
- **Device Information:** We may collect basic device information (model, OS version) to diagnose technical issues and improve App performance.

## 2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:
- Provide and maintain the load shedding schedules for your selected areas.
- Send push notifications regarding power status changes.
- Improve App functionality and user experience.
- Protect against unauthorized access to our API.

## 3. Data Storage and Security

- **Local Storage:** Your saved areas and cached schedules are stored locally on your device using encrypted storage and SQLite databases.
- **Server Storage:** Push tokens and your area preferences are stored securely on our production servers to enable the notification service.
- **Security:** We use industry-standard HTTPS encryption for all data transmitted between the App and our servers.

## 4. Third-Party Services

The App uses the following third-party services:
- **Google Play Services:** For App functionality and updates.
- **Expo:** For notification delivery and framework support.
- **Firebase (if applicable):** For infrastructure and notifications.

*Note: These providers have their own privacy policies regarding the data they handle.*

## 5. Permissions

The App requests the following permissions:
- **Internet Access:** Required to fetch current load shedding data.
- **Notifications:** Required to send you alerts.
- **Location (Optional):** If requested, this is used only to help you find nearby areas for monitoring.

## 6. Data Retention and Deletion

You can delete your saved areas and stop receiving notifications at any time by:
- Deleting the area within the App's "My Locations" section.
- Disabling notifications in your device settings.
- Uninstalling the App, which clears all locally stored data.

## 7. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

- **Email:** akwaramba@zetdc.co.zw
- **Website:** https://www.zetdc.co.zw