Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 2026
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information Clearout collects, how we use it, and who we share it with. It applies to anyone who creates an account, buys, or sells on Clearout.
1. Information we collect
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Account details | Name, email address, phone number, WhatsApp number, password (handled by Firebase Authentication — we never see or store your raw password) |
| Seller payout details | Bank name, account number, and the account holder name returned by our payment provider during verification |
| Listing content | Item title, description, price, category, condition, location, and photos you upload |
| Transaction data | Orders, amounts paid, payout amounts, Paystack payment references, and order status history |
| Usage data | Cart contents, saved/favourited items, and notifications, so your account behaves the same across devices |
2. How we use this information
- To create and manage your account, and let you buy or sell on Clearout;
- To process payments and, for sellers, to pay out funds to the correct bank account;
- To show buyers a seller's contact details once unlocked, so a sale can be completed;
- To review listings before they go live, and to investigate reports or suspected policy violations;
- To send you transactional notifications (e.g. "your item sold", "funds released");
- To keep the platform secure and prevent fraud.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties, and we do not use your data for advertising.
3. Who we share information with
Clearout is built on a small number of trusted service providers, each of whom only receives what they need to do their job:
- Paystack — processes payments and (for seller payouts) bank transfers. Paystack receives payment details and, for sellers, bank account information.
- Firebase (Google Cloud) — stores your account and transaction data, and handles sign-in.
- Cloudinary — stores and serves the photos uploaded for listings.
We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Clearout, our users, or the public.
4. What other users can see
A listing's title, price, category, condition, location, and photos are public to anyone browsing Clearout. A seller's phone number and WhatsApp are only shown to a buyer once they've bought that item or paid the one-time contact-unlock fee — they are never shown publicly on a listing.
5. Data security
Your data is stored with Firebase/Google Cloud and access is restricted by server-side security rules — for example, only you (and Clearout's admin team, for moderation and payout purposes) can see your own bank account details; other buyers and sellers never can. Payment card details are handled entirely by Paystack and never touch Clearout's own servers.
6. Your rights
You can review and update most of your account information directly from your profile. You may request that we delete your account and associated personal data by contacting us, subject to our need to retain certain records (such as transaction history) for legal, accounting, or dispute-resolution purposes.
7. Children's privacy
Clearout is not intended for anyone under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We'll update the "Last updated" date above when changes are made.
9. Contact
Questions about this policy, or requests regarding your personal data, can be sent to support@clearout.example.com.