This policy explains what personal information MeridianCart collects, why we collect it, who we share it with and the choices you have. We handle personal data in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA). By using MeridianCart you confirm that you have read this policy.
1. Information we collect
Information you give us. When you create an account, place an order, apply to sell, join the affiliate programme or contact us, we collect details such as your name, email address, phone number, delivery address and the content of your messages.
Seller verification information. Sellers provide additional details so we can verify them: a government ID, business registration (CAC) details where applicable, a profile photo or logo, and bank account details for payouts.
Payment information. Card and bank payments are processed by Paystack. We receive confirmation of the payment, the amount and a reference, but we do not receive or store your full card number or PIN.
Information collected automatically. We collect technical information such as your IP address, browser and device type, the pages you visit and the time of your visit. Your browser also stores your cart, wishlist and recently viewed items so they are still there when you return.
2. How we use your information
- To create and manage your account and process your orders, payments, deliveries and refunds.
- To verify sellers, prevent fraud and keep the marketplace safe.
- To pay sellers and affiliates the money they have earned.
- To send you order updates, security alerts and responses to your questions.
- To understand how the site is used and improve it.
- To meet our legal and regulatory obligations.
We do not sell your personal information.
3. Who we share it with
- Sellers. The seller of an item you buy receives your name, delivery address and phone number so they can fulfil and deliver your order.
- Delivery partners. Logistics companies receive the details they need to deliver your parcel. See our Shipping and Returns Policy for how delivery works.
- Service providers. This includes our payment processor (Paystack), our email delivery provider, our hosting provider and Cloudflare, which provides bot protection on some forms.
- Authorities. We may disclose information where the law requires it or to protect the rights and safety of our users and the platform.
4. Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies and browser storage that are necessary for the site to work, for example to keep you signed in and to remember your cart. If analytics or advertising tools such as Google Analytics or Meta Pixel are enabled on the site, they may also set cookies to measure visits and the effectiveness of our marketing. You can clear or block cookies in your browser settings, although parts of the site may then stop working properly.
When you first visit, we ask whether you accept optional cookies. If you choose Accept all, we store two small cookies for up to 60 days: mc_rv (the products you recently viewed) and mc_cat (the categories you looked at), so we can show you "Recently viewed" and "Picked for you" products. A third cookie, mc_consent, remembers your choice for a year. If you choose Essential only, the first two are not stored and any existing ones are deleted. You can change your choice at any time with the "Cookie settings" link at the bottom of every page.
5. How long we keep information
We keep personal information for as long as your account is active and for as long as needed afterwards to meet legal, tax, accounting and fraud prevention requirements. Order and payment records are retained because buyers, sellers and the platform rely on them. When you delete your account we remove or anonymise the personal details that we are not required to keep.
6. Security
We protect your information with encrypted connections, hashed passwords, access controls and monitoring. No system is completely secure, so please use a strong, unique password and keep it private.
7. Your rights
Under the NDPA you have the right to access your personal data, ask us to correct it, ask us to delete it, object to or restrict certain processing and withdraw consent where we rely on it. You can update most of your details from your account, and buyers can delete their account from the settings of the MeridianCart app. For any other request, contact us using the details below.
8. Children
MeridianCart is intended for people aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of the page shows when it was last changed. If we make a significant change we will tell you through the site or by email.
10. Contact us
If you have a question about this policy or about how your information is handled, please reach us through our contact page.