Introduction

Welcome to merkatomarket.com. We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data when you visit our website, use our services, and utilize our mobile application Fidel (ፊደል).

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide to us when you create an account, place an order, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us. This information may include your name, email address, phone number, shipping address, billing address, and payment details.

Usage Data

We also collect information about how you interact with our website. This includes your name, address, phone, email, pages visited, and other usage statistics. This information helps us improve our website and services.

Fidel (ፊደል) Mobile App Privacy Practices

Fidel (ፊደል) is our dedicated mobile application that allows you to read purchased and free books, with seamless synchronization to your account on merkatomarket.com. The app connects to our website through a secure API (Application Programming Interface). When you use the Fidel app, we collect the following information to provide you with the best reading experience:

Reading Activity & Library Data

We collect detailed information about your reading habits to ensure a personalized and synchronized experience:

• Book Library: Information about books you have purchased, borrowed, or added to your wishlist.
• Reading Progress: Your current page position, completion percentage, and reading streaks.
• Bookmarks & Annotations: Bookmarks, highlights, notes, and comments you create within books.
• Reading Preferences: Font size preferences, theme settings (light/dark mode), and reading speed data.
• Recently Read: History of books you have recently accessed to help you quickly return to them.

Device & Technical Information

To optimize app performance and ensure compatibility, we collect:

• Device Information: Device model, operating system version, screen resolution, and available storage space.
• Unique Identifiers: Device ID, advertising ID, and installation ID to maintain your session and prevent fraud.
• Network Information: Connection type (Wi-Fi, cellular), network provider, and IP address to optimize content delivery.
• Push Notifications: Notification tokens to send you reading reminders, new book alerts, and account updates.
• App Version: Current version of the Fidel app to ensure you have access to the latest features and security updates.

App Usage Analytics

We analyze how you interact with the Fidel app to continuously improve our service:

• Feature Usage: Which features you use most frequently (search, bookmarks, notes, sharing).
• Session Data: Time spent reading, session duration, and frequency of app usage.
• Performance Metrics: App load times, page turn speed, and crash reports to identify and fix issues.
• Navigation Patterns: How you move through the app to improve user interface and user experience.
• Search Queries: Terms you search for to help us improve our book discovery and search functionality.

Offline Reading & Local Storage

To enable reading without an internet connection:

• Downloaded Books: Books you choose to download are stored locally on your device. These files are encrypted and only accessible through the Fidel app.
• Local Cache: Temporary data such as recently viewed pages and cover images are cached to improve performance.
• Sync Management: When you reconnect to the internet, your reading progress and notes are automatically synchronized with your account.
• Storage Permissions: The app requires storage permission to save downloaded books and manage offline content. You can control these permissions in your device settings.

Account Synchronization

Your Fidel app account is connected to your merkatomarket.com account. This allows:

• Cross-Platform Sync: Your reading progress, bookmarks, and library are synchronized across the website and mobile app.
• Purchase Integration: Books purchased on the website are immediately available in the Fidel app.
• Single Sign-On: You can use the same credentials to access both platforms.
• Unified Account Management: Account settings, preferences, and privacy controls are consistent across both platforms.

Data Security for Fidel App

We implement robust security measures to protect your reading data:

• End-to-End Encryption: All data transmitted between the Fidel app and our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.3 or higher.
• Local Encryption: Downloaded books and offline data are encrypted using AES-256 encryption on your device.
• Secure Authentication: We use OAuth 2.0 and JWT tokens for secure authentication and session management.
• Biometric Authentication: The Fidel app supports fingerprint and face recognition for quick and secure access (optional, based on your device capabilities).
• Remote Wipe: If your device is lost or stolen, you can remotely revoke access to your account and wipe downloaded books through your account settings.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process and fulfill your orders.
• Provide customer support.
• Send you updates about your order or our services.
• Improve our website, products, and services.
• Send you marketing communications, if you have opted in to receive them.
• Protect against fraudulent transactions and monitor for security purposes.
• Synchronize your reading library and progress across the website and Fidel mobile app.
• Personalize your reading experience with recommendations based on your reading history.
• Analyze app performance and fix technical issues.
• Send reading reminders and notifications about new book releases in your favorite genres.

Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Companies that help us with order fulfillment, payment processing, cloud storage, push notifications, and app analytics. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
• Marketing Partners: Third-party marketing partners, only if you have explicitly opted in to receive marketing communications.
• Legal Authorities: When required by law, legal process, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. You can request deletion of your account at any time. When you delete your account:

• Your profile information and account settings are immediately removed.
• Your reading history, bookmarks, and notes are deleted from our servers.
• Purchase records may be retained for legal and tax purposes for the period required by law.
• Any books downloaded to your device through the Fidel app will remain until you manually delete them or uninstall the app.

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You can update or correct inaccurate information through your account settings.
• Right to Deletion: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request your data in a structured, commonly used format.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent for marketing communications at any time.
• Right to Opt-Out: You can opt out of data collection for analytics purposes through the Fidel app settings.

To exercise these rights, you can update your account information through your account settings, use the privacy controls in the Fidel app, or contact us directly at info@merkatomarket.com.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. In the Fidel app, we use local storage and similar technologies for:

• Remembering your reading preferences and app settings.
• Maintaining your login session securely.
• Analyzing app usage to improve performance.
• Storing downloaded books and offline content.

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. For the Fidel app, you can manage permissions and clear local data through your device settings.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data, including standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your data to these countries.

Third-Party Services

The Fidel app and our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or the Fidel app features. We will notify you of any significant changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on our website with an updated effective date.
• Sending an in-app notification within the Fidel app.
• Sending an email to the address associated with your account, if applicable.

Your continued use of our website or the Fidel app after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, our data practices, or the Fidel app, please contact us: