1. Introduction

• Purpose of privacy policy
• This Privacy Policy aims to:
• Inform you about the types of data we collect and why we collect them.
• Explain how we use, share, and protect your personal information.
• Ensure transparency in how your data is handled while using our services.
• Provide you with choices and control over your personal data.
• Scope of information collection
• Amber collects various types of information to facilitate secure transactions and enhance user experience. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, payment details, and profile information.
• Consent to data collection
• By using Amber, you acknowledge and agree that:
• You have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
• You voluntarily provide personal data to use our platform.
• You consent to our collection, use, and storage of your information as described.
• You can withdraw consent or manage data preferences through account settings or by contacting us.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Processing transactions
• To facilitate secure purchases, sales, and payments on the platform.
• To verify transactions and process refunds, if applicable.
• To provide payment confirmation and receipts to users.
• Communication with users
• To respond to inquiries, support requests, and feedback.
• To send important account-related notifications, such as security alerts, order updates, and policy changes.
• To facilitate direct communication between buyers and sellers when necessary.
• Platform security and fraud prevention
• To monitor and detect fraudulent activities, unauthorized transactions, and security threats.
• To verify user identities and ensure compliance with our marketplace policies.
• To enforce our Terms of Service and prevent misconduct or abuse on the platform.

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

• Sharing between buyers and sellers
• When you engage in a transaction, certain personal details (such as your name and contact information) may be shared with the other party to facilitate communication and order fulfillment.
• Sellers may receive necessary details regarding payments and meeting locations.
• Amber only collects seller banking details for the purpose of processing payouts after a successful sale and handover of the textbook.
• We require only the necessary banking details, including:
• We require only the necessary banking details, including:
• Account holder name
• Account number
• Branch code (if applicable)
• Bank name
• Account type
• Banking information is never shared with buyers or third parties, except for payment processing through our trusted provider, PayStack.
• We do not store full credit card details or sensitive financial information beyond what is needed for payout processing.
• Integration with PayStack payment processing
• We use PayStack to process payments securely. Your payment details are encrypted and handled directly by PayStack, ensuring compliance with financial security standards.
• Legal requirements and regulations
• We may disclose user information if required by law, such as in response to legal requests, court orders, or government investigations.
• No selling of personal information to third parties
• Amber does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to advertisers or third-party marketers.
• Your data is used strictly for the purpose of providing and improving our services.

4. Data Protection and POPIA Compliance

• Compliance with Protection of Personal Information Act
• We process personal data in accordance with POPIA’s principles of lawfulness, fairness, and transparency.
• Users have the right to know what information is collected and how it is used.
• Security measures implemented
• We use industry-standard encryption and security protocols to protect sensitive data.
• Regular security audits, firewalls, and access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access.
• Users are encouraged to enable strong passwords and report suspicious activity.
• Data retention periods
• We retain user data only for as long as necessary to fulfill marketplace operations, comply with legal obligations, and resolve disputes.
• Transaction data may be kept for record-keeping and tax purposes.
• User rights under POPIA
• You have the right to:
• Access, correct, or update your personal information.
• Request the deletion of your data where applicable.
• Withdraw consent for data processing and marketing communications.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator if you believe your rights have been violated.
• Data breach notification policy
• In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users as required by law.
• Measures will be taken to contain the breach, assess its impact, and prevent future occurrences.
• Users will receive guidance on how to secure their accounts if their data is compromised.

5. PayStack Payment Processing

• Amber integrates PayStack as a secure payment gateway to facilitate transactions, including seller payouts and buyer purchases.
• Information shared with PayStack
• Payment amount and transaction details
• User name and email address
• Order amount and fees payed
• PayStack's separate privacy policy
• PayStack operates as an independent payment processor with its own Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
• Users are encouraged to review PayStack’s privacy policy to understand how their financial data is managed.
• PayStack's data security practices
• PayStack complies with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) to ensure financial transactions are encrypted and secure.
• All transactions are processed using secure tokenization methods to prevent unauthorized access.
• Transaction data handling
• Amber retains transaction records for bookkeeping and regulatory compliance purposes.
• Users can request transaction data access or deletion, subject to financial regulations.

6. User Rights

• Right to access personal information
• Users can request a copy of the personal information we store about them.
• Requests can be made through the Privacy Settings or by contacting our support team.
• Right to correct inaccurate information
• Users can update or correct any inaccurate or outdated information in their account settings.
• If you believe we hold incorrect information, you may request an update via email.
• Right to delete account/information
• Users can request the deletion of their account and associated data.
• Certain financial records may be retained for compliance with tax or legal obligations.
• How to exercise these rights
• To exercise any of these rights, users can contact us at toastie.de@gmail.com.
• We will respond to all requests in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

7. Children's Privacy

• No intentional collection from minors
• We do not knowingly collect or process personal data from individuals under 18 years old.
• Removal of minor's information upon discovery
• If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a minor, we will promptly delete such information.
• Parents or guardians can contact us at toastie.de@gmail.com to request data removal.

8. Changes to Privacy Policy

• Process for updating privacy policy
• Any modifications to the Privacy Policy will be posted on our website or app.
• Notification of significant changes
• If changes impact how we use your data, we will notify users via email or in-app notification before they take effect.
• Continued use constituting acceptance
• By continuing to use Amber after updates, users accept the revised Privacy Policy.
• If users disagree with the changes, they may discontinue use or request data deletion.

Terms of Service - Amber Textbook Marketplace

1. Introduction

• Welcome to Amber Textbook Marketplace ("Amber," "we," "our," "us"). Amber provides a platform for users to buy and sell second-hand textbooks. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to comply with these Terms of Service.
• Definitions:
  • User: Any individual using Amber.
  • Seller: A user listing textbooks for sale.
  • Buyer: A user purchasing textbooks.
  • Platform: Amber’s website and mobile application.
• Purpose of the Platform
• Amber facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers but does not directly sell or distribute textbooks.
• Acceptance of Terms
• By registering and using Amber, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms.

2. User Accounts

• Email verification is required to access full platform features.
• Unverified accounts may have restricted access.
• Users must maintain the confidentiality of their login credentials.
• Prohibited Account Activities
• Prohibited activities include impersonation, fraudulent payments, and misrepresentation.
• Impersonating another individual
• Engaging in activities that violate marketplace integrity

3. PayStack Payment Processing

• Amber uses PayStack to process all transactions securely.
• PayStack may require additional user verification.
• Users should review PayStack’s Terms.
• Buyer payments are held in escrow until the textbook is handed over.
• Once the transaction is confirmed, funds are released to the seller.

4. Seller Terms

• Sellers must have a verified account and provide banking details for payouts.
• Listings must include accurate textbook descriptions; counterfeit books are prohibited.
• Sellers may be subject to transaction fees.
• Payments to sellers are processed within 5 business days after transaction completion.
• Sellers must ensure that textbook conditions are honestly represented.
• False or misleading listings may result in account suspension.

5. Buyer Terms

• Buyers place orders through the platform and make payments via PayStack.
• Payments are securely held in escrow.
• Textbooks must be delivered or picked up within the agreed time frame.
• Sellers may be subject to transaction fees.
• Buyers can report disputes if a textbook is not as described.

6. Prohibited Items & Activities

• Restricted textbook categories (if any).
• No selling of unauthorized reproductions.
• Fraudulent listings and misrepresentation are prohibited.
• Fake listings, chargeback fraud, or misrepresentation are banned.
• No use of Amber for activities outside textbook trading.

7. Transaction Process

• Buyers select a listing and complete payment.
• Funds are held in escrow until transaction completion.
• Sellers must meet buyers at the agreed time and place.
• Buyers confirm receipt, and payments are released to the seller.

8. Dispute Resolution

• Buyers and sellers can report issues through Amber support.
• Amber will review evidence and determine a resolution.
• Refunds are issued if the textbook is misrepresented or undelivered.

9. Intellectual Property

• Amber owns all branding, logos, and platform content.
• Sellers grant Amber a limited license to display their listings.
• Copyright owners can report violations to toastie.de@gmail.com.

10. Platform Limitation of Liability

• Amber is not responsible for transactions beyond the platform.
• Amber provides the platform “as is” with no guarantees.
• Amber is not liable for indirect or consequential damages.
• Users agree to indemnify Amber from legal claims arising from transactions.

11. Privacy Policy Reference

• Users must review Amber’s Privacy Policy for details on data handling.
• Amber collects data only to facilitate transactions and improve services.

12. Termination

• Amber may suspend accounts for rule violations.
• Terminated users lose access to the platform.
• Transaction records may be retained for legal compliance.

13. Modifications to Terms

• Amber may update terms from time to time.
• Users will be notified of significant changes via email or app notification.
• Continued use after updates means acceptance of new terms.

14. Governing Law

• These Terms are governed by South African laws.
• Disputes shall be resolved in South African courts.
• If any provision is found unenforceable, the rest remain in effect.

Amber Textbook Marketplace Policies

Seller Onboarding Process

At Amber, we've created a straightforward process to start selling your used textbooks:

1. Create an Account: Sign up with your email address and verify it through our confirmation link.
2. Complete Your Profile: Add your basic contact information and preferred payment method.
3. List Your Textbooks: Photograph your textbooks, add details (title, author, edition, condition, price), and publish your listings.
4. Start Selling: Once your listing is live, buyers can purchase your textbooks through our secure platform.
5. Start Buying: Once you've selected textbooks to buy, checkout securely with Paystack.
6. Collecting Textbooks: You are now connected with the seller via the in app chatting platform, discuss and agree on a meeting time and place.
7. Confirmation: Confirmation happens when a buyer and seller meets and the in chat QR code is scanned. The money is then transfered to the seller.

Seller Verification (KYC) Requirements

Amber prioritizes a safe marketplace while keeping the process simple:

• Email Verification: All sellers must verify their email address
• Contact Information: Provide a valid phone number for transaction communications
• Payment Processing: Our payment partner PayStack handles all financial transactions and may require additional verification for regulatory compliance

We maintain these streamlined requirements because:

• Our payment processing is handled by PayStack, a trusted Stripe company
• We focus exclusively on second-hand textbooks, a low-risk category
• We operate an escrow system where funds are only released after successful delivery

Liability Policy

Seller Responsibilities:

• Accurately describing textbook condition and edition
• Delivering textbooks within the promised timeframe
• Resolving quality issues directly with buyers

Amber Platform Responsibilities:

• Maintaining the marketplace platform
• Holding payments in escrow until delivery confirmation
• Providing a communication channel between buyers and sellers
• Offering basic dispute resolution assistance

Limitation of Liability:

Amber operates solely as a platform connecting textbook buyers and sellers. We are not responsible for:

• The condition or authenticity of textbooks
• Delivery delays or delivery issues
• Disputes that cannot be resolved between parties

We reserve the right to suspend accounts that repeatedly violate our community standards.

Delivery Policy

Delivery Expectations:

• Sellers are responsible for selecting appropriate delivery date and place

Shipping Policy

Shipping is not recommended, Amber will not be held responsible for any shipping plans made outside the app or off the campus as discussed in the in-app chat:

• The campus the textbook is sold from is specified in the listing. It is advised that the transaction between seller and buyer should happen on campus or close to it.
• Shipping textbooks and QR codes sold on Amber is not recommended by Amber or any individual working for Amber
• Amber will hold no Responsibilities towards shipping fees or textbooks shipped that has been discussed on the Amber Second-Hand Textbook platform.

Delivery Confirmation:

• After confirmation through scanning the QR Code in the app only, will the funds are released to sellers

Delivery Issues:

• If a textbook is not delivired, buyers should first contact the seller
• If unresolved, buyers can open a dispute through Amber
• Funds remain in escrow until disputes are resolved

These policies have been designed specifically for Amber's textbook marketplace in South Africa. We leverage PayStack's secure payment infrastructure while maintaining a streamlined experience for our academic community.