Overview
At Houserite, we respect user privacy and provide easy ways for users to manage their personal data. This policy explains how you can request deletion of your account and associated data from the Houserite mobile application.
1. Account Deletion
How to Request Account Deletion
Users can request complete account deletion through the following methods:
- In-App Request: Open the Houserite app, go to Settings → Account → Delete Account → Request Deletion
- Email Request: Send an email to privacy@houserite.com.ng with the subject "Account Deletion Request" and include your registered email address
- Contact Support: Call our support team at +234 800 000 0000 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM WAT)
2. Data Deletion Timeline
Once you submit a data deletion request:
- Immediate Actions (24 hours): Your account will be deactivated and removed from public search/listings
- Data Purging (30 days): All personal data will be deleted from our primary systems within 30 days
- Backup Removal (90 days): Data will be removed from all backup systems within 90 days
- Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email when deletion is complete
3. Data Deleted Upon Request
When you request account deletion, the following data is permanently deleted:
- Account profile information (name, email, phone number)
- Profile picture and biographical information
- Property listings you posted
- Search history and saved properties
- Messages and communications
- Transaction history and payment information
- Preferences and settings
- Location data and access permissions
- Device identifiers associated with your account
4. Data Retained After Deletion
For legal, safety, and business purposes, the following information may be retained:
- Legal Compliance: Transaction records required by Nigerian tax and financial regulations (retained for 7 years)
- Fraud Prevention: Anonymized fraud/abuse patterns (no longer linked to your identity)
- Business Records: Anonymized usage analytics and platform improvement data
- Law Enforcement: Information required by law enforcement or court order
- Safety: Aggregated safety/security incident data (anonymized)
5. Automated Deletion for Inactive Accounts
Accounts that remain inactive for 2 consecutive years may be automatically deleted. Before automatic deletion, we will send a warning email 60 days prior. You can prevent automatic deletion by logging in or contacting support.
6. Right to Data Portability
Before deleting your account, you have the right to request your data in a portable format. We can provide your data as a downloadable file including:
- Profile information
- Messages and communications
- Property listing details
- Transaction history
- Usage analytics
To request data portability, email privacy@houserite.com.ng with "Data Export Request" as the subject.
7. Verification and Security
To protect your account and prevent unauthorized deletion requests, we require verification of your identity through:
- Confirmation of your registered email address
- Multi-factor authentication (if enabled)
- Security questions
- Identity verification for high-value accounts
8. Cancellation Before Deletion
You can cancel your deletion request within 14 days of submitting it. After 14 days, the deletion process begins and cannot be reversed. To cancel, email privacy@houserite.com.ng with "Cancel Deletion Request" as the subject.
9. Third-Party Data Sharing
We will notify any third-party services that received your data (if applicable) to delete your information. However, we cannot guarantee deletion from third-party services beyond our control. Third parties have their own data deletion policies that apply.
10. Deletion Request Verification
You will receive:
- Confirmation Email: Within 24 hours of submitting your request
- Deletion Progress Updates: Email updates at key milestones (24h, 7d, 30d, 90d)
- Final Confirmation: Email confirming complete data deletion
11. Contact Information
For questions about this policy or to submit a data deletion request:
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Data Deletion Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Houserite app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Your Rights Under Nigerian Law
Under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and other applicable laws, you have the right to:
- Request deletion of your personal data
- Access your personal data
- Rectify inaccurate data
- Restrict processing of your data
- Lodge a complaint with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)