Privacy Policy

1 Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), operating the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) platform ("we," "us," or "our"), collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards the personal and business information of registered clean energy vendors ("Vendor," "you"). This policy applies to all data collected through the DER Vendor Registration Form and the platform's backend administration.

2 Information We Collect

To facilitate precise customer matching and robust risk-management, we collect multiple categories of information during the registration and verification process.

Data Category	Specific Information Collected	Visibility / Usage
Business Information	Company name, business type, registration number (RC/BN), address, GPS location, logo, and social media links.	Publicly listed on the directory to facilitate customer matching. Public
Contact Details	Contact person's full name, job title, official email address, and WhatsApp-active phone number.	Platform administration and customer communication. Internal
Operational Metrics	Services offered, installation capacity, delivery coverage, warranties, and complaints resolution policy.	Used by AI-powered matching tools and directory filters. Public
Verification Data	Director selfies, Government IDs, proof of address, CAC documents, TIN, and insurance coverage.	Strictly internal for vetting and anti-fraud background checks. Internal
Financial Information	Bank name, account name, and bank letters matching the registered business name.	Strictly internal for fraud prevention and identity validation. Internal

3 How We Use Your Information

The data collected serves as a dual-purpose engine for our platform. We process your information for the following purposes:

Vendor Verification & Security: To conduct rigorous background, physical premise, and financial reference checks to prevent fraudulent actors from accessing the platform.
Directory Listings & AI Recommendations: To display your company profile to consumers and utilize AI logic to match your operational logistics and capabilities with customer needs.
Platform Administration: To manage your verification score, compliance metrics, and overall account status within our backend systems.
Dispute Resolution: To facilitate the fair handling of customer complaints or disputes.

4 Data Sharing and Disclosure

We prioritize your privacy and do not sell your personal or financial data. We may share your information under the following circumstances:

With Consumers: Your business profile, services, and public contact information are displayed on the DER Platform to connect you with potential clients.
For Legal & Compliance Reasons: If we detect fraudulent claims, theft, or unethical practices, we will disclose relevant information, including verification and financial data, to law enforcement agencies as per our anti-scam declarations.
Internal Processing: Assigned reviewers and platform administrators have access to your internal vetting documents and backend compliance metrics.

5 Data Security & Retention

We employ stringent security measures to protect your sensitive verification and financial documents. Submitted documents (such as IDs, CAC certificates, and bank details) are processed in a secure environment. Our backend system tracks Verification Status, Risk Scores, and Compliance Scores using administrative firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.

6 Vendor Rights & Responsibilities

As a registered vendor, you are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of your information. You have the right to:

Update Information: Immediately update your business details, contact information, or service offerings if there are any changes.
Request Review: Contact the Platform to request an appeal or review if you believe your account was suspended or terminated in error.

By agreeing to our Terms of Service, you expressly consent to the processing of your data as described in this policy.

7 Governing Law

This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, consistent with our Terms of Service.

8 Contact Us

For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us at:

info@cadefng.org