Policies — Garabaly

How We Protect Your Data

Last updated: February 8, 2026

1. Introduction

Garabaly ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all users of our livestock marketplace platform. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the rights you have regarding your data.

By using the Garabaly app or website, you consent to the practices described in this policy. We operate in compliance with applicable data protection laws in West Africa and international best practices.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

Account information: Name, phone number, email address, profile photo, and preferred language.
Identity verification: Government-issued ID for seller and service provider verification.
Transaction data: Listing details, purchase history, negotiation messages, and payment information.
Communication data: Chat messages, voice messages, images, and videos shared through the in-app messaging system.
Wallet information: Mobile money account numbers, bank details, and wallet transaction history.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Device information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and device fingerprints for security purposes.
Usage data: App interaction logs, feature usage patterns, and session duration.
Location data: Approximate location for connecting you with nearby livestock sellers and service providers (with your permission).
Notification tokens: Push notification identifiers for delivering order updates and messages.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Facilitate livestock transactions between buyers, sellers, and service providers.
Process payments through our escrow system and mobile money integrations (Orange Money, Moov Money, Wave, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money).
Provide real-time order tracking and delivery updates via Socket.io.
Send transaction confirmations, security alerts, and service notifications through SMS and in-app channels.
Detect and prevent fraud using device fingerprinting, velocity limits, and behavioral analysis.
Improve our platform through anonymized usage analytics.
Deliver the app in your preferred language (French, English, Arabic, Bambara, Wolof, Pulaar).

4. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your data:

Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Wallet PINs are secured with bcrypt hashing.
Transaction integrity: Atomic database transactions and SHA-256 checksums ensure financial data accuracy.
Access control: Dual admin approval is required for sensitive operations such as escrow fund releases.
Fraud detection: Automated velocity limits and device fingerprinting detect suspicious activity.
Database security: All data is stored in secured PostgreSQL databases with regular backups and access logging.

5. Data Sharing

We share your data only in the following circumstances:

Transaction parties: Relevant information is shared with buyers, sellers, and service providers involved in your transactions (e.g., delivery addresses, contact details).
Payment processors: We share payment data with Stripe and mobile money providers solely to process your transactions.
Legal requirements: We may disclose data when required by law, regulation, or valid legal process.

We never sell your personal data to third parties for advertising or marketing purposes.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active. Transaction records are retained for a minimum of 5 years for legal and regulatory compliance. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements).
Withdraw consent for optional data processing (e.g., location services).
Export your data in a portable format.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@garabaly.com.

8. Cookies & Tracking

Our website uses essential cookies to maintain your session and preferences (e.g., dark mode, language). We do not use third-party advertising cookies. Analytics cookies, if used, collect only anonymized data.

9. Children's Privacy

Garabaly is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal data, please contact us for removal.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or via email. Continued use of Garabaly after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Rules of the Marketplace

Last updated: February 8, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using the Garabaly platform (app and website), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, you must not use the platform. These terms apply to all users, including buyers, sellers, service providers, and visitors.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to use Garabaly.
You must provide accurate and complete registration information.
Seller and service provider accounts are subject to identity verification.
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials and wallet PIN.

3. Platform Role

Garabaly is a marketplace platform that connects livestock buyers with sellers and service providers (delivery drivers, butchers, veterinarians). We are not a party to transactions between users. We provide the technology infrastructure — including escrow, chat, payments, and order tracking — but the actual sale and delivery of livestock is between the transacting parties.

4. Listings & Content

Sellers are responsible for the accuracy of their livestock listings, including descriptions, photos, videos, voice descriptions, and prices.
Listings must represent real, available livestock. Fraudulent or misleading listings will result in immediate account suspension.
All content uploaded (images, voice notes, chat messages) must comply with applicable laws and community standards.
Garabaly reserves the right to remove any content that violates these terms.

5. Transactions & Orders

5.1 Order Types

Garabaly supports three order types:

Seller-Only Orders: Direct purchase of livestock from a seller.
Service-Only Orders: Independent booking of a service provider (delivery, butchering, or veterinary).
Combined Orders: Livestock purchase with added services in a single transaction.

5.2 Negotiation

Buyers and sellers may negotiate prices through the in-app chat. A transaction is only binding once the buyer confirms the purchase and payment is submitted to escrow.

5.3 Seller Confirmation

Once a buyer places an order, the seller must confirm within 24 hours. Failure to confirm within this window results in automatic cancellation and a full refund to the buyer.

5.4 Confirmation Codes

Each order generates a unique 6-character confirmation code. The buyer must enter this code in the app upon satisfactory receipt of the livestock or service. Entering the code releases escrowed funds to the seller or service provider. Never share your confirmation code until you are satisfied with the transaction.

6. Payments

All payments are processed through Garabaly's secure payment system, powered by Stripe and mobile money integrations.
Supported payment methods include mobile money (Orange Money, Moov Money, Wave, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money), bank transfers, and international cards.
Garabaly supports 50+ currencies for international transactions.
Funds are held in escrow until the transaction is confirmed. See our Escrow Policy for details.

7. Wallet

Each user has a Garabaly wallet for receiving payments and making purchases. Wallet operations are secured by a personal PIN, enforced with bcrypt hashing and velocity limits. Wallet balances are maintained with double-entry bookkeeping and verified with SHA-256 checksums for accuracy.

8. Service Providers

Service providers (delivery drivers, butchers, veterinarians) must complete verification before offering services on the platform.
Service providers are independent contractors and are not employed by Garabaly.
Service provider fees are agreed upon before booking and protected by escrow.
Users may rate and review service providers after each transaction.

9. Prohibited Conduct

Users may not:

Post fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive listings.
Attempt to circumvent the escrow system or conduct off-platform payments.
Harass, threaten, or abuse other users through chat or any other channel.
Use the platform for money laundering, fraud, or any illegal activity.
Create multiple accounts to evade bans or manipulate reviews.
Attempt to reverse-engineer, hack, or compromise platform security.

Violations may result in immediate account suspension, fund freezing, and reporting to relevant authorities.

10. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute between transaction parties, Garabaly will review the available evidence (chat logs, photos, order data) and mediate a fair resolution. During the dispute process, escrowed funds remain locked until a resolution is reached. Both parties will be given the opportunity to present their case.

11. Limitation of Liability

Garabaly facilitates transactions but does not guarantee the quality, health, or condition of livestock listed on the platform. We provide escrow protection and verification tools to minimize risk, but buyers should always inspect livestock upon delivery before confirming the transaction. Garabaly's liability is limited to the fees collected for the specific transaction in question.

12. Account Termination

You may deactivate your account at any time. Garabaly reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms. Upon termination, any pending transactions will be resolved according to our escrow policy, and remaining wallet balances will be returned to the user.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via in-app notifications or email at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Escrow Policy

How Your Money is Protected

Last updated: February 8, 2026

1. What is Escrow?

Escrow is a financial arrangement where a trusted third party (Garabaly) holds funds on behalf of two transacting parties. When you buy livestock or book a service on Garabaly, your payment is held securely in escrow until the transaction is completed to your satisfaction. This protects both buyers and sellers.

2. The Five-Stage Escrow Lifecycle

Every Garabaly transaction follows a structured five-stage escrow process:

Initiated

The buyer places an order and submits payment. Funds are moved from the buyer's wallet or payment method into the Garabaly escrow account. The transaction is now active.

Seller Confirmation

The seller receives a notification and must confirm the order within 24 hours. If the seller does not confirm, the transaction is automatically cancelled and funds are returned to the buyer.

In Progress

Once confirmed, the seller arranges delivery. Service providers (if booked) are activated. Both parties can track order progress in real time. Funds remain locked in escrow.

Delivery & Verification

The buyer receives the livestock and/or services. The buyer inspects the animal and verifies it matches the listing description, photos, and agreed terms.

Confirmation & Release

The buyer enters their unique 6-character confirmation code in the app, confirming satisfaction. This triggers the release of escrowed funds to the seller (and service providers, if applicable). The transaction is complete.

3. Confirmation Code System

Each order generates a unique, randomly-generated 6-character confirmation code assigned to the buyer.
The code is the only mechanism that releases escrowed funds. Neither Garabaly staff nor the seller can release funds without it.
Never share your confirmation code until you have received and inspected the livestock to your satisfaction.
If you lose your confirmation code, contact Garabaly support for identity verification and code reissue.

4. Automatic Cancellation

To protect buyers from unresponsive sellers, Garabaly enforces a 24-hour confirmation window:

If a seller does not confirm an order within 24 hours of placement, the order is automatically cancelled.
Escrowed funds are returned to the buyer's wallet immediately and in full.
Repeated failures to confirm orders may result in seller account restrictions.

5. Multi-Party Escrow

For combined orders involving both a livestock seller and service providers (delivery, butchering, veterinary), escrow protects all parties:

Each participant's payment portion is tracked separately within the escrow.
Funds are released to each party independently as their portion of the order is confirmed.
A delivery driver may receive payment upon successful delivery, while the seller receives payment upon buyer confirmation — all within the same order.

6. Escrow Security

Our escrow system is built on institutional-grade security:

Atomic transactions: All fund movements are processed as atomic database operations — either the entire transaction succeeds, or nothing changes. No partial transfers.
SHA-256 checksums: Every wallet balance change is verified with cryptographic checksums to detect and prevent any unauthorized modifications.
Double-entry bookkeeping: Every debit has a corresponding credit. Our ledger system ensures funds are always accounted for.
Dual admin approval: Any manual escrow intervention (e.g., dispute resolution fund release) requires approval from two independent administrators.
Fraud detection: Automated systems monitor for suspicious patterns including unusual transaction amounts, velocity spikes, and device anomalies.

7. Disputes & Refunds

7.1 Filing a Dispute

If you receive livestock that does not match the listing description, is unhealthy, or if any other issue arises, you may file a dispute before entering your confirmation code. Contact Garabaly support through the app or at info@garabaly.com.

7.2 Dispute Resolution Process

Escrowed funds remain locked during the dispute process.
Garabaly mediators will review all available evidence: listing details, photos, chat history, voice messages, and order tracking data.
Both the buyer and seller will be given the opportunity to present their case.
Garabaly will issue a ruling within 5 business days.

7.3 Refund Outcomes

Full refund: If the dispute is resolved in the buyer's favor, escrowed funds are returned to the buyer's wallet in full.
Partial refund: In cases where both parties share responsibility, a partial refund may be issued.
Release to seller: If the dispute is resolved in the seller's favor, escrowed funds are released to the seller.

8. Fees

Garabaly charges a service fee on completed transactions. This fee is transparently displayed before the buyer confirms the purchase. Escrow holding and release does not incur additional charges. Specific fee percentages are displayed in the app at the time of transaction.

9. Supported Payment Methods

Funds can enter and exit escrow through the following channels:

Mobile money: Orange Money, Moov Money, Wave, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money
International cards: Visa, Mastercard (powered by Stripe)
Bank transfers: Supported in select regions
Garabaly wallet: Internal wallet-to-wallet transfers for instant transactions

50+ currencies are supported for international transactions, with automatic conversion at competitive rates.

10. Contact

For any questions about our escrow system, disputes, or refunds, contact us:

Email: info@garabaly.com
In-app: Use the Help Center in the Garabaly app
Response time: We aim to respond to all escrow-related inquiries within 24 hours.