1. Who we are
SkillSwap Local ("we", "our", "us") is a community skill-exchange platform operated in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our platform allows users to list skills they can teach and skills they want to learn, and arrange free exchanges with other community members.
If you have questions about this policy, contact us at: hello@skillswaplocal.com
2. Information we collect
We collect the following types of information when you use SkillSwap Local:
- Account information: Your email address and password (stored securely via Supabase Auth), or your Google account details if you sign in with Google.
- Profile information: Your display name, short bio, skills offered, WhatsApp number (optional), and profile photo (optional) — all of which you provide voluntarily.
- Skill listings: The content of skill offers you post, including descriptions, availability, and location (neighbourhood level only).
- Usage data: Pages visited, features used, and interactions within the app (e.g. swap requests sent, profiles viewed).
- Device & browser data: IP address, browser type, device type, and operating system — collected automatically for security and analytics.
- Cookies: Session cookies required for authentication, and analytics cookies to understand how the platform is used.
3. How we use your information
We use the information we collect to:
- Create and manage your account and authenticate you securely
- Display your profile and skill listings to other users
- Facilitate skill swap requests and communications between users
- Send transactional emails (account confirmation, password reset, swap notifications)
- Improve the platform — fixing bugs, understanding usage patterns, and building new features
- Prevent abuse, fraud, and violations of our Terms of Service
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations
- Display relevant advertisements via Google AdSense (see Section 7)
We do not use your data for automated decision-making that significantly affects you, nor do we build behavioural profiles for third-party advertising purposes beyond what AdSense requires.
4. How we share your information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party. We share data only in these limited circumstances:
- With other users: Your display name, profile photo, location (neighbourhood only), skill listings, ratings, and bio are visible to other logged-in users of the platform — this is necessary for the service to function.
- With Supabase: Our database and authentication provider. Data is stored on Supabase's secure servers. See Supabase's privacy policy.
- With Google: If you sign in with Google, Google processes your login. AdSense may set cookies on your device. See Google's privacy policy.
- Legal requirements: If required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of our users or the public.
5. Data storage and security
Your data is stored on Supabase's infrastructure, which uses industry-standard encryption in transit (TLS) and at rest. Passwords are hashed and never stored in plain text.
While we take reasonable measures to protect your data, no system is 100% secure. We recommend using a strong, unique password for your account.
Your data may be stored on servers located outside Nepal. By using SkillSwap Local, you consent to this transfer.
6. Cookies
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Required for authentication and session management. The platform cannot function without these.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how the platform is used so we can improve it. No personally identifiable information is shared with analytics providers.
- Advertising cookies: Set by Google AdSense to show relevant ads. You can opt out via Google's ad settings or by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
7. Google AdSense and advertising
SkillSwap Local uses Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our site and other sites on the internet.
Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
We comply with Google's publisher policies and do not place ads on pages intended for children or on pages with restricted content.
8. Your rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information via your Profile settings.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your account and all associated data by emailing hello@skillswaplocal.com. We will process deletion requests within 30 days.
- Portability: Request an export of your data in a machine-readable format.
- Objection: Object to processing of your personal data for marketing purposes.
To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@skillswaplocal.com with the subject line "Data Request".
9. Children's privacy
SkillSwap Local is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at hello@skillswaplocal.com and we will delete it.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we will notify registered users by email or by a notice on the platform. Continued use of SkillSwap Local after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact us
If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
- Email: hello@skillswaplocal.com
- Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
- Response time: We aim to respond within 3 business days.