Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Hyven Technologies and Solutions ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") operates HyvenFoods (the "Platform"), a food and recipe discovery platform accessible via hyvenfood.com and its related services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Platform.

By accessing or using HyvenFoods, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Platform immediately.

2. Information We Collect

a. Information you provide directly

• Account data: When you register, we collect your name, email address, and password (stored in encrypted form). Chefs may also provide a profile bio, phone number, location, specialty, social-media links, and a profile avatar.
• Content you upload: Dishes, recipes, images, reviews, and custom-dish requests you submit to the Platform.
• Communications: Messages exchanged with other users or with us through the Platform's messaging system and any information you include in contact-form or account-deletion requests.
• Payment information: Subscription purchases are processed by Paystack. We do not store your card number, CVV, or full bank details on our servers. Paystack's own privacy policy governs payment-card data.

b. Information collected automatically

• Usage data: Pages viewed, features used, timestamps, referring URLs, and approximate geographic region derived from your IP address.
• Device and browser data: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution, and language preferences.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We use essential session cookies to keep you logged in and to remember your preferences. You may control cookies through your browser settings; disabling them may impair Platform functionality.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above for the following purposes:

• To operate, maintain, and improve the Platform and its features.
• To personalise your experience, including recommending dishes, chefs, and recipes.
• To process subscription payments and manage premium features.
• To send transactional emails (account verification, password resets, notification digests) and, where you have opted in, marketing communications.
• To enforce our Terms & Conditions, prevent fraud, and protect the safety and rights of our users.
• To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from public authorities.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with the following categories of recipients:

• Service providers: Third-party vendors that perform services on our behalf, including payment processing (Paystack), image hosting (Cloudinary), email delivery (Nodemailer via SMTP), and real-time messaging infrastructure (Socket.IO). These providers are contractually obligated to use your data solely for the purposes we specify.
• Legal and safety: Where required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Hyven Technologies and Solutions, our users, or the public.
• Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to the successor entity, subject to this Privacy Policy remaining in effect.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Platform's services. When you delete your account, we remove your personal information from active databases within thirty (30) days, except where we are required to retain certain records for legal, tax, or regulatory compliance purposes.

Content you have shared with other users (e.g., messages, public reviews) may persist in their accounts after your deletion and is governed by their own data practices.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal data, including encrypted password storage (bcrypt), secure HTTP communication (TLS), and role-based access controls. While no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, we take commercially reasonable measures to protect your information.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection / Restriction: Object to or restrict certain processing of your data.
• Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@hyven.com.ng. We will respond to verified requests within thirty (30) days.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data-protection laws that differ from the laws of your jurisdiction. We ensure that appropriate safeguards, including contractual protections, are in place whenever your data is transferred internationally.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., social-media profiles). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party service you access through the Platform.

10. Children's Privacy

HyvenFoods is not intended for children under the age of thirteen (13). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we learn that we have collected data from a child under 13 without verified parental consent, we will delete it promptly.

11. Cookies Policy

We use the following categories of cookies:

• Strictly necessary: Session authentication, CSRF protection, and load-balancing cookies required for the Platform to function.
• Performance: Anonymous analytics that help us understand how visitors use the Platform so we can improve it.
• Functional: Preferences such as language and display settings.

You may manage cookie preferences through your browser. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent you from using core features of the Platform.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through an in-app notice. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

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

Hyven Technologies and Solutions
Email: privacy@hyven.com.ng
General enquiries: support@hyven.com.ng
Website: www.hyven.com.ng