Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 20, 2026 Last Updated: June 20, 2026

The Marketplace Limited (“The Marketplace,” “TMPONLINE,” “we,” “us,” or “our“) operates the website themarketplaceonline.com and the related mobile application (together, the “Platform“), a classified advertisements marketplace that allows users in Nigeria and elsewhere to list, discover, and discuss products and services.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal data when you use the Platform, in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (“NDPA“), the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, 2019 (“NDPR“), and other applicable data protection laws.

By creating an account, posting a listing, or otherwise using the Platform, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

1. Who We Are

The Marketplace Limited is a company operating in Nigeria. For the purposes of applicable data protection law, The Marketplace Limited is the Data Controller in respect of personal data collected through the Platform.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, you can contact us at:

Email: support@themarketplaceonline.com

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal data in the following ways:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Account information: full name, username, email address, phone number, password, and (where applicable) profile photo.
  • Listing information: details you submit when creating a classified ad, including item/service description, price, photos, category, and location.
  • Store/business information: if you create a seller store, your business name, address, business description, and related details.
  • Communications: messages you send through our in-platform chat or messaging features, and correspondence you send to our support team.
  • Verification information: where we offer identity or phone verification, the details you submit for that purpose (e.g., phone number, OTP confirmation).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device type and identifiers, operating system, pages viewed, referring/exit pages, date and time stamps, and clickstream data.
  • Location data: approximate location derived from your IP address or, where you grant permission, precise location from your device, used to show relevant local listings.
  • Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 7 (Cookies) below.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

  • If you register or log in using a third-party account (e.g., Google or Facebook login), we receive the information you authorize that provider to share with us (typically name, email address, and profile picture).
  • We may receive information from payment, advertising, or analytics partners that integrate with the Platform.

2.4 What We Do Not Collect

The Marketplace does not process payments for transactions between buyers and sellers. We do not collect or store buyers’ or sellers’ bank account numbers, card details, or other payment credentials in connection with item purchases conducted off-platform between users. Where we charge fees for optional services (such as featured ad promotions or subscriptions), such payments are processed by a licensed third-party payment processor, and we do not store your full card or bank details on our servers.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal data for the following purposes, consistent with the lawful bases recognized under the NDPA/NDPR (consent, contractual necessity, legal obligation, and legitimate interest):

  1. To provide the Platform – creating and managing your account, publishing your listings, enabling messaging between buyers and sellers, and displaying your store.
  2. To operate and improve the Platform – understanding usage patterns, troubleshooting, and developing new features.
  3. To communicate with you – sending account notifications, listing status updates, responses to support inquiries, and (where you have consented) marketing communications, newsletters, and promotional offers.
  4. To maintain safety and trust – detecting and preventing fraud, scams, prohibited listings, abuse, or violations of our Terms and Conditions.
  5. To personalize your experience – showing listings relevant to your location, search history, and preferences.
  6. To comply with legal obligations – responding to lawful requests from regulators, law enforcement, or courts, and meeting record-keeping requirements under Nigerian law.
  7. To enforce our agreements – exercising or defending legal rights, including in connection with disputes between users.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Where the NDPA/NDPR requires a lawful basis, we rely on one or more of the following:

  • Consent – for example, when you opt in to marketing emails or share device location.
  • Performance of a contract – to provide the services you sign up for, such as hosting your listings and account.
  • Legitimate interests – such as fraud prevention, platform security, and service improvement, provided these interests do not override your fundamental rights.
  • Legal obligation – where we must retain or disclose information to comply with Nigerian law.

You may withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis for processing, without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

5. How We Share Your Information

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

  • With other users: Information you choose to include in your public listing or store profile (e.g., name/username, listing details, general location, and contact details you opt to display) is visible to other users of the Platform.
  • Service providers: We share data with vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as cloud hosting, email/SMS delivery, analytics, customer support tools, and payment processing for optional paid features (e.g., featured ads). These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide us.
  • Legal and safety reasons: We may disclose information where required by law, regulation, court order, or governmental request, or where we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of The Marketplace, our users, or the public, including to investigate suspected fraud or violations of our Terms and Conditions.
  • Business transfers: If The Marketplace is involved in a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to confidentiality obligations.
  • With your consent: For any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection, with your consent.

6. Cross-Border Data Transfers

Some of our service providers (such as cloud hosting and analytics platforms) may process or store data outside Nigeria. Where personal data is transferred outside Nigeria, we take steps required under the NDPA to ensure an adequate level of protection, including the use of contractual safeguards with recipients, in line with guidance from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (“NDPC”).

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to:

  • Keep you logged in and remember your preferences;
  • Understand how you use the Platform and improve performance;
  • Measure the effectiveness of advertising and promotions; and
  • Detect and prevent fraudulent activity.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, including blocking or deleting them. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the Platform, such as staying logged in or saving search preferences.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:

  • For as long as your account remains active;
  • As needed to provide the Platform’s services to you;
  • As required to comply with legal, accounting, tax, or regulatory obligations under Nigerian law;
  • As necessary to resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

When personal data is no longer needed, we securely delete, anonymize, or archive it in accordance with our internal data retention practices.

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction, including access controls, encryption in transit, and secure storage practices. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your account password confidential and for any activity under your account.

If we become aware of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and affected users as required under the NDPA.

10. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right to access – request confirmation of whether we process your personal data and obtain a copy of it.
  • Right to rectification – request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
  • Right to erasure – request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.
  • Right to restrict or object to processing – including objecting to processing based on legitimate interest or direct marketing.
  • Right to data portability – request your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format, where technically feasible.
  • Right to withdraw consent – where processing is based on consent.
  • Right to lodge a complaint – with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) if you believe your data protection rights have been violated.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@themarketplaceonline.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on your request and will respond within the timeframes required under applicable law.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Platform is not directed at children under the age of 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us at support@themarketplaceonline.com so we can take appropriate action, including deletion of that data.

12. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services (including our social media pages). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal data to them.

13. Marketing Communications

If you have opted in to receive marketing communications from us, you may withdraw your consent at any time by:

  • Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any marketing email; or
  • Contacting us at support@themarketplaceonline.com.

We will continue to send you non-marketing communications, such as transactional or account-related notices, even after you opt out of marketing.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the revised policy on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Material changes will be communicated through the Platform or by email where appropriate. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

The Marketplace Limited Email: support@themarketplaceonline.com Website: themarketplaceonline.com

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may also lodge a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).