Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

SHEQONOMI, LLC ("SHEQONOMI," "we," "our," or "us"), and its affiliate SHEQONOMI MENA LLC (QFC No. 03944, Doha, Qatar), are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at sheqonomi.com, use our mobile applications (iOS, Android, KaiOS, JioStore), or engage with our services (collectively, the "Platform").

SHEQONOMI is a women-focused digital media platform operating in 195 countries across 65+ languages, recognized by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Grand Prize for Innovation and registered with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Platform.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide:

• Name and email address when you create an account
• Payment information processed securely through Stripe (we do not store card numbers)
• Profile information such as username, bio, language preference, and country
• Communications you send us via email or contact forms
• Podcast listening history and content preferences
• Membership tier and subscription details

Information Collected Automatically:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, device identifiers)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, clicks, listening history, token activity)
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• App store identifiers (Apple ID, Google Play ID, KaiOS/JioStore identifiers) for in-app purchase verification

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the Platform
• Process transactions and send related information (receipts, confirmations)
• Manage your account, membership, and digital token balance
• Deliver personalized podcast recommendations and content
• Send promotional communications (you may opt out at any time)
• Analyze usage patterns to improve the Platform
• Comply with legal obligations in all jurisdictions where we operate
• Protect against fraudulent or unauthorized activity
• Fulfill obligations under the IsDB Innovation Prize and QFC regulatory framework

4. Payment Processing

All payment transactions are processed through Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. We do not store your full credit card number, CVV, expiration date, or other sensitive payment details on our servers. Stripe's use of your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

In-app purchases on iOS and Android are also processed through Apple App Store and Google Play Store respectively, subject to their respective privacy policies. KaiOS and JioStore purchases are processed through their respective platform payment systems.

5. Digital Tokens & Blockchain

SHEQONOMI offers a blockchain-based token rewards system ("SHEQ Tokens") that rewards users for listening, learning, and community engagement. To operate this system, we may collect and process:

• Wallet address (if you choose to link a blockchain wallet)
• Token transaction history (earning events, redemptions)
• Engagement metrics used to calculate token rewards

SHEQ Tokens have no monetary value, are non-transferable except as explicitly permitted by the Platform, and cannot be exchanged for cash. Blockchain transaction data recorded on a public ledger is immutable and outside our ability to delete. We will not link your identity to your on-chain wallet address without your explicit consent.

6. Sharing Your Information

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

• Service providers who assist in operating the Platform (hosting, analytics, payment processing, email delivery)
• Business partners (including Reliance Jio, IsDB, QFC) with your consent or as required by partnership agreements
• Law enforcement when required by applicable law or to protect rights and safety
• Successors in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• Regulatory bodies in Qatar (QFC Authority), the United States, and other jurisdictions where we operate

7. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content. We use Plausible Analytics, a privacy-first analytics platform that does not use cookies and does not collect personal data. You can control cookie settings through your browser. Disabling cookies may affect certain features of the Platform.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us at [email protected]. Note that certain data may be retained as required by applicable law or for legitimate business purposes.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information ("right to be forgotten")
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Object to or restrict certain processing activities
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days (or sooner as required by applicable law).

10. GDPR (EU & UK Users)

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR. Our legal basis for processing your personal data includes: (a) performance of a contract (providing the Platform to you); (b) legitimate interests (improving the Platform, fraud prevention); (c) compliance with legal obligations; and (d) your consent where explicitly obtained.

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. For EU users, this is your national Data Protection Authority. For UK users, this is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

11. CCPA (California Users)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you additional rights, including: (a) the right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell; (b) the right to delete personal information; (c) the right to opt out of the sale of personal information; and (d) the right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights.

We do not sell personal information as defined under the CCPA. To submit a CCPA request, contact us at [email protected].

12. Qatar Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)

SHEQONOMI MENA LLC (QFC No. 03944) operates under the jurisdiction of the Qatar Financial Centre and complies with Qatar's Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 13 of 2016) and the QFC Data Protection Regulations. As a QFC-registered entity, we are subject to oversight by the QFC Regulatory Authority.

Qatar residents may exercise their data rights by contacting us at [email protected] or by contacting the QFC Regulatory Authority at qfcra.com.

13. App Store Compliance

Our mobile applications are distributed through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, KaiOS Store, and JioStore. Each platform has its own privacy requirements that we comply with:

• Apple App Store: We comply with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines and App Privacy requirements, including providing an accurate App Privacy nutrition label.
• Google Play Store: We comply with Google Play's User Data policy and provide an accurate Data Safety section.
• KaiOS & JioStore: We comply with the respective platform privacy and data handling requirements for feature phone and emerging market users.

In-app purchases are subject to the respective app store's payment and refund policies in addition to our own.

14. Children's Privacy

The Platform is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EU/UK). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under these ages. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.

15. International Transfers

SHEQONOMI operates globally across 195 countries, with legal entities in the United States (SHEQONOMI, LLC) and Qatar (SHEQONOMI MENA LLC, QFC No. 03944). Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We take appropriate safeguards — including Standard Contractual Clauses for EU/UK transfers — to ensure your data is protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law.

16. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including TLS/SSL encryption in transit, encrypted storage at rest, access controls, and regular security reviews. Payment data is handled exclusively by Stripe (PCI-DSS Level 1). However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

17. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page with an updated "Last updated" date and, where required by law, by sending you a direct notification. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us: