Privacy Policy
Last updated: 12 November 2026
This page explains, in plain language, the information ABAGEO uses to run the book-listing and exchange service.
1. Information we process
- Account data: username, password hash and salt, account role, session records, and verification status.
- Optional verification data: phone number and short-lived verification codes used to verify an account. Verification codes are temporary and expire.
- Content: listing titles, authors, descriptions, prices, district, condition, book-cover photos, comments, exchange offers, reports, and moderation history.
- Operational and security data: rate-limit counters, session expiry, abuse-prevention records, moderation/audit actions and notifications. Some hashed device or phone identifiers may be retained to enforce bans and prevent account-abuse evasion.
- Preferences: theme, language, layout, saved listings, cookie choice and whether you marked a site announcement as read. These may be stored in your browser.
2. How data is used
Information is used to authenticate accounts, publish and manage listings, deliver exchange requests and notifications, moderate public content, prevent spam and abuse, maintain balances and payments where enabled, and keep the service secure. Public listings and comments may be visible to other visitors. Your password is stored as a hash rather than plain text.
3. Photos and automated processing
Uploaded book photos are stored with listing content. When both cover sides are supplied, a configured AI provider (Gemini or Claude) may receive the cover images and book title/author to compare whether the photos appear to show the same named book and to help moderate content. AI results may be inaccurate and can be reviewed by staff. Do not upload photographs containing unrelated personal or sensitive information.
4. Cookies and local storage
The site uses browser cookies and local storage for essential functions such as keeping a session, security, remembering preferences and saving your cookie choice. The current version does not intentionally use advertising or analytics cookies. Choosing “Accept all” does not enable third-party advertising or analytics where none are configured. Clearing browser data may sign you out or reset local preferences.
5. Sharing and service providers
Information is processed by the site’s configured hosting, database/storage and AI providers as needed for the service. Verification messages and payment processing, if configured, may involve their respective providers. We do not publish your phone number in public comments; do not place phone numbers or other private details in public content. The service may disclose information where necessary to protect users, investigate abuse, comply with applicable law, or respond to valid legal requests.
6. Retention, access and deletion
Data is kept for as long as needed to run the service and meet security, moderation, financial-record and operational needs. Expired/deleted listing records and photos may be removed by scheduled cleanup. Security records and hashed penalty identifiers may remain after account deletion to help prevent repeated abuse. You can use the account deletion option in Settings; deletion removes your account and associated account content subject to retained records described above.
7. Security and children
Reasonable technical controls are used, but no internet service can guarantee absolute security. Do not share your password. The service is not designed to collect information from children who are not permitted to use it under applicable law or the rules of their guardians.
8. WhatsApp
- Verification messages: when WhatsApp verification is switched on, a user sends a short code to ABAGEO’s WhatsApp Business number. We receive that message’s text and the sender’s WhatsApp phone number. We use them only to match the one-time code (valid for 10 minutes and stored only as a hash) to the account, and then store that phone number as the account’s verified number. The site does not keep other WhatsApp messages. WhatsApp verification is currently switched off in the app; this item applies when it is switched on.
- No messages from us: ABAGEO does not send WhatsApp messages to users and does not use WhatsApp for marketing.
- WhatsApp links on listings: a seller may write a WhatsApp number in a listing description. A buyer who presses a WhatsApp button opens WhatsApp on their own device. The site does not receive data from that step, and the number is shown with the public listing.
- WhatsApp’s own terms: messages sent through WhatsApp are also governed by WhatsApp’s privacy policy and terms.
9. Updates and contact
This policy may change as site features change. The most recent version will be posted here. For privacy questions, use the contact details below.
Operator: [legal business name, to be filled in before publishing]
Registration number: [to be filled in]
Address: [to be filled in]
Email for privacy questions: [to be filled in]
WhatsApp Business number: [to be filled in]