Our Privacy Policy

How we keep your data private and secure

Introduction

At Port Harcourt BizVest Multipurpose Cooperative Limited (“BizVest”, “we”, “us” or “our), we value our customers and stakeholders. We therefore consider it a privilege that you are willing to trust us with your personal information (“personal data” or “data). Recognising the magnitude of this responsibility, we commit to keeping your information confidential and will only share it if we are legally required to do so, if we must do so in order to fulfill our agreement with you or if you have given your consent.

We are dedicated to protecting all personal information you share with us as you interact with our website and other service points.

Purpose of the Policy

We have documented this Policy to help you understand our privacy practices including the type of personal data we collect, how we use it, details of our data sharing activities (if any) and your rights as regards your personal data. You are required to read this privacy policy together with the Terms and Conditions for the Use of the BizVest platform. This privacy policy forms part of our contract with you and it may change from time to time to accommodate changes in our services, or if legal requirements change.

Scope of this Policy

This Policy applies to users of the BizVest Platform anywhere in the world as accessed via our website, blog or mobile application.

Information we collect

BizVest collects personal information from you because you decide to share it with us in order to access our products or services or interact with us. We may also collect personal information because we observe or infer that information about you through mechanisms like cookies and web beacons which may be used to monitor interaction with our website. For more information on how we use cookies and other tracking technology, please see our cookie policy below.

The information we collect during the membership registration and account set up process are as follows:

  1. Company / business name, names and means of identification of proprietors or directors and shareholders as applicable, username and password;

  2. Company / business name registration number, date of incorporation, bank account details and Tax Identification number;

  3. Company address, email addresses and telephone numbers;

  4. Bank Verification Number;

The information we collect when you interact with our sales, credit risk management or support team include the following:

  1. Information or complaint regarding our services so as to enable us assist you;

  2. Information or data about your business to enable us confirm suitability of a particular product for your business or advise on which of our products best suits your business requirements.

We may also collect information such as your name,email address, phone number and the medium through which you heard about us through the use of customer surveys for the purpose of improving our services to you.

Use of Your Personal Information

This information is collected for the following reasons:

1. Providing services

We use the data we collect to provide, personalize and maintain our products and services. This includes using the data to:

2. Research and development.

We may use the data we collect for research and product development to improve your user experience. This helps us to improve the quality of our service and product offerings to you.

3. Marketing.

BizVest may use the data we collect to market our services to our users. This includes sending users communications about BizVest’s services, features, promotions, surveys, news, updates and events.

If you do not want to continue receiving any marketing materials from us, you may communicate this to us via recommended options.

4. Recovery, legal proceedings and requirements.

We would use the personal data we collect from you to facilitate recovery of our funds in instances where there is a default to the terms of our loan agreement with you. We may also use your personal data to investigate or address claims or disputes relating to use of BizVest’s services, or as otherwise allowed by applicable law, or as requested by regulators, government entities, and official inquiries.

Principles guiding our use of your personal data

The collection and use of personal data by BizVest is guided by certain principles. These principles state that personal data should:

Automated Processing

We sometimes use automated systems and software to help us reach decisions about you, for example, to make credit decisions, to carry out security, fraud and money laundering checks, or to process your data when you apply for some of our products and services.

This type of processing is carried out under lawful basis and you can contact us to request that automated processing be reviewed by a human being if you detect any inaccuracies in your personal data.

Information We Share

We may share the information about you and your dealings with us, to the extent permitted by law, with the following:

We may also disclose information about you if we determine that disclosure is reasonably necessary to enforce terms and conditions of the services we render to you or protect our operations or other users. Additionally, in the event of a reorganization, merger, or sale we may transfer any and all personal information we collect to the relevant third party.

How We Protect Your Personal Data

We have implemented appropriate security measures to help protect your personal data from accidental loss and from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:

However, it is necessary for you to always maintain the confidentiality of your information and your customer data, by keeping your password confidential and not disclosing it to any other person.

Please let us know right away if you think that your account has been compromised or misused.

Where We Store Your Information

We have implemented appropriate security measures to help protect your personal data from accidental loss and from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include: All information you provide to us is stored on our secure cloud-based data storage as well as physically on our premises, at an off-site based location and a network accessible storage which includes external drives only for authorized users. The data that we collect from you will be transferred to and stored at a destination outside Nigeria. By submitting your personal data, you agree to this transfer, storing or processing. We will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this privacy policy.

How Long We Store Your Information

We retain your data for as long as is necessary for the purpose(s) that it was collected. Storage of your data is also determined by legal, regulatory, administrative or operational requirements. We only retain information that allows us to comply with legal and regulatory requests for certain data, meet business and audit requirements, respond to complaints and queries, or address disputes or claims that may arise.

Data which is not retained is securely destroyed when it is identified that is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected.

Your Rights

You have the following rights with respect to the personal data you provide us:

We erase/delete personal data in the event of any of the following:

Remedies in case of breaches of your rights

If you feel at any time that your rights under as stated in this Policy and as contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation have been breached, please do not hesitate to contact us using the information provided below. We promise to treat all such complaints within 30 days.

Where you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to report to the relevant data protection authority in your place of residence.

Maintaining Accurate Information

If you discover any inaccuracies in your personal information, please promptly notify us, via our email address and provide the required documentary evidence, to enable us to implement the necessary updates or changes.

Third-Party Sites and Services

Our products and services may use or offer products or services from third parties. Information collected by third parties, which may include such things as location data or contact details is governed by their privacy practices and BizVest will not be liable for any breach of confidentiality or privacy of your information on such sites . We encourage you to learn about the privacy practices of those third parties.

Social Media Platforms

BizVest may interact with registered users on various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Medium, Google+, LinkedIn and Instagram. Please note that any content you post to such social media platforms (e.g. pictures, information or opinions), as well as any personal information that you otherwise make available to users (e.g. your profile) is subject to the applicable social media platform’s terms of use and privacy policies. We recommend that you review these information carefully in order to better understand your rights and obligations with regard to such content.

Sensitive Personal Data

We do not knowingly collect names, email addresses or any other personally identifiable information from children. We do not knowingly market to children nor do we allow children under 18 to apply for loans.

Privacy Policy Changes

We may revise this policy to reflect the legal, regulatory and operating environment and such revised versions will automatically become applicable to you. We will post any revisions we make to our Privacy Policy on this page and such revised policy becomes effective as at the time it is posted. We also encourage you to check this page from time to time for updates to this policy.

How to contact us

Questions, complaints, comments and requests regarding this privacy policy are welcomed and should be addressed to info@bizvest.co

To contact our Data Protection Officer, kindly address your request to “The Data Protection Officer” at 1st Floor, Deborah Lawson House, GRA, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Cookie Policy

BizVest’s Website may use “cookies” that may collect personal information of users.

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your browser or mobile device by websites and mobile applications. They enable the website to tag your device and recognize it as you move around the site (and potentially when you return at a later date) so that, for example, you do not have to re-enter your password each time you move between pages of the website.

BizVest uses cookies and similar technologies for purposes such as:

If you do not wish to receive cookies, you can set your web browser to disable cookies. As explained above, cookies help you to get the most out of our website. If you decide to disable cookies, you may find that certain aspects of our website do not work as expected.