Privacy Policy

Last updated by administrator

1. Introduction

FreelanceConnect ("we," "our," or "us"), operated by Parous Group, is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our platform at FreelanceConnect, available across Liberia, West Africa, and internationally.

Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Account Registration: Full name, email address, phone number (including mobile money numbers such as Orange Money and MTN MOMO), password, and user role (freelancer or client).
  • Profile Information: Professional title, bio, skills, portfolio items, education, certifications, work experience, and profile photo.
  • Financial Information: Payment account details for withdrawals (Orange Money, MTN MOMO, bank accounts). We do not store full payment credentials; these are processed through our secure payment partners.
  • Communications: Messages exchanged with other users through our messaging system, dispute submissions, and contact form enquiries.
  • Project & Service Data: Project descriptions, proposals, contracts, milestones, deliverables, and reviews you create or submit.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on the platform, search queries, and interaction logs.
  • Device & Technical Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers, and time zone.
  • Cookies & Similar Technologies: Session cookies for authentication, preference cookies for language and display settings, and analytics cookies to understand platform usage.
  • Push Notification Tokens: If you subscribe to push notifications, we store your browser push subscription endpoint to deliver alerts about project updates, messages, and payments.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Create and manage your account and verify your identity;
  • Facilitate connections between freelancers and clients;
  • Process payments, escrow funds, deposits, and withdrawals;
  • Send transactional notifications (project updates, payment confirmations, contract milestones, dispute resolutions);
  • Send push notifications if you have subscribed, which you may unsubscribe from at any time;
  • Provide customer support and resolve disputes;
  • Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, abuse, and violations of our Terms of Service;
  • Improve our platform features, performance, and user experience;
  • Comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those of the Republic of Liberia.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

  • Other Users: Profile information (name, professional title, skills, reviews) is visible to other platform users as part of the marketplace functionality.
  • Payment Processors: Financial data is shared only with authorised payment partners (Orange Money, MTN MOMO, bank partners) solely to process transactions.
  • Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist in operating our platform (hosting, email delivery, analytics) under strict data processing agreements.
  • Legal Obligations: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or regulatory authority, including the Liberia Telecommunications Authority and any applicable data protection authority.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction, with prior notice provided to users.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us. Some data may be retained for up to 7 years for legal, tax, and audit compliance purposes, particularly transaction records.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including:

  • HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data in transit;
  • Hashed and salted password storage;
  • Secure escrow architecture protecting project funds;
  • Role-based access controls limiting staff access to data;
  • Audit logs for all administrative actions;
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) available for user accounts.

While we take all reasonable steps to protect your data, no internet transmission is 100% secure. Please safeguard your login credentials and report any suspected unauthorised access immediately.

7. Your Rights

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

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you;
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data;
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten"), subject to legal retention obligations;
  • Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format;
  • Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from push notifications or marketing communications at any time;
  • Objection: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@freelanceconnect.lr.

8. Cookies Policy

We use cookies to maintain your session, remember your preferences, and analyse platform usage. You can control cookie settings in your browser; however, disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality. By continuing to use our platform, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy.

9. Children's Privacy

FreelanceConnect is intended for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we become aware that a minor has registered, we will promptly delete their account and associated data.

10. International Users

FreelanceConnect is operated from Liberia and serves users across West Africa and globally. By using our platform from outside Liberia, you consent to your data being transferred to and processed in Liberia and any other countries where our service providers operate, in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes via email or a prominent notice on the platform. Continued use of FreelanceConnect after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the latest revision was made.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact: