Privacy Policy

Fredjoe Auctioneers Ltd (“Fredjoe”, “we”, “us”) runs this website and online auction platform. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have under the Data Protection Act No. 3 of 2021 of Zambia.

1. Who we are

Fredjoe Auctioneers Ltd, Plot 8201, Garden Road, Lusaka, Zambia. For any privacy question or request, email auctions@fredjoelimited.co.zm.

2. What we collect

• Account details — your name, email address, phone number and password (stored only as a secure hash).
• Identity verification (KYC) — copies of the identity documents you upload so we can approve you to bid, as required for auction sales.
• Bidding and purchase records — the lots you bid on, your bids, lots you win and items you buy from the showroom.
• Payment records — amounts due and paid, mobile money transaction references, and the proof-of-payment slips you upload for bank transfers. We do not store card or mobile money PINs.
• Auction alerts — your email address, if you sign up in the website footer to hear about new catalogues, and when you confirmed or unsubscribed.
• Messages — what you send us through the contact form, email, SMS or WhatsApp.
• Technical data — your IP address, browser and device type, and error logs, which we use to keep the platform secure and working.
• Analytics — how visitors use the site, collected by Google Analytics only if you accept analytics cookies (see section 7).

3. Why we use it

• To create and run your account and let you register for auctions and place bids.
• To verify your identity before you bid, and to prevent fraud.
• To process deposits and payments and confirm them against our bank records.
• To send you one-time verification codes, outbid alerts, payment confirmations and other messages about your account by email, SMS or WhatsApp.
• To answer your enquiries and arrange collection of items you buy.
• To meet our legal, tax and accounting obligations.
• With your consent, to email you when a new auction catalogue opens. You only receive these after confirming by email, and every alert has a one-click unsubscribe link.
• With your consent, to understand how the site is used so we can improve it.

4. Who we share it with

We do not sell your personal data. We share it only with service providers that help us run the platform:

• Our hosting providers, which run the website and store our database.
• Cloudinary, which stores uploaded images and documents, such as lot photos, KYC documents and payment slips.
• Mobile money and payment processors, when you pay by mobile money.
• SMS and WhatsApp messaging providers, to deliver verification codes and notifications.
• An email delivery provider, to send account emails and auction alerts.
• Error-monitoring tools, which receive technical logs when something goes wrong.
• Google, for analytics, if you accept analytics cookies.

We may also disclose information where the law requires it, for example to the Zambia Revenue Authority or law enforcement. Some providers store data outside Zambia; where they do, we rely on their contractual and security safeguards.

5. How long we keep it

We keep account, bidding and payment records for as long as your account is open and afterwards for as long as tax and accounting law requires. KYC documents are kept while your account is active and deleted when they are no longer needed for that purpose or for a legal obligation. You can ask us to close your account at any time. If you unsubscribe from auction alerts we stop emailing you straight away, and we delete your address from the list on request.

6. How we protect it

All traffic to the site is encrypted with HTTPS, passwords are hashed, and access to KYC documents and payment records is limited to authorised Fredjoe staff.

7. Cookies and analytics

We use cookies and browser storage that are needed for the site to work, such as keeping you signed in. We also use Google Analytics cookies to measure how the site is used, but only after you click “Accept” on the cookie banner. If you decline, Google Analytics is not allowed to set cookies. You can change your choice at any time: Cookie settings.

8. Your rights

Under the Data Protection Act you can ask us to:

• confirm whether we hold your personal data and give you a copy;
• correct data that is wrong or incomplete;
• delete your data, where we are not required to keep it;
• stop or restrict certain uses of your data, and withdraw any consent you gave.

Email auctions@fredjoelimited.co.zm and we will respond within a reasonable time. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner of Zambia.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it last changed. Questions? Contact us.