1. Who we are and what this covers
SBO App (Somali Books Online) is an app and website (sboapp.so) for reading, buying and ordering Somali, Arabic and English books. This policy explains what information we collect when you use the SBO app, the sboapp.so website and related services, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.
2. Information we collect
Account and sign-in. Your name, phone number and/or email address, password (stored only as a one-way hash that cannot be read back), username and preferred language. If you sign in with Google (or another sign-in service offered in the app), we receive that account's identifier, email address and profile picture.
Verification codes. When you verify your email or phone, or reset your password, we send you a code by email or WhatsApp. We keep the address it was sent to and the purpose; the code itself is stored hashed and expires shortly after.
Profile (optional). If you create a public profile: a profile photo, a cover image, a short bio and social links. Other people can see your public profile, who follows it and who likes it.
Reading and your library. The books you open, the page and percentage you reached, time spent reading, the books you save or mark "not interested", and what you search for. This lets us resume where you left off and recommend books to you.
Ratings and reviews. The stars and text you post on a book are shown to other users together with your name and profile picture.
Money, purchases and subscriptions. Your wallet balance, the top-ups and withdrawals you request including the mobile-money transaction reference you enter, the books you buy, your subscriptions and refunds. For Google Play subscriptions we receive the order number and a purchase token (stored encrypted). We do not store card numbers or mobile-money PINs or passwords.
Printed-book orders. The recipient's name and phone number, city, delivery address and delivery notes, and the courier's tracking details.
Push notifications. If you allow notifications, we store your phone's notification token (Firebase Cloud Messaging), the platform (Android / iPhone), language, app version and your choices (new books, offers, events).
Device and technical information. App version and device type, IP address and server logs used for security and abuse prevention. The website stores only your language and light/dark choice in your browser; it does not use tracking cookies.
3. How we use your information
- To create your account, sign you in and verify it.
- To give you the books you are entitled to, remember your place and recommend books.
- To process purchases, subscriptions, top-ups, withdrawals, refunds and deliveries.
- To send you codes, service messages and — if you allow them — notifications about new books, offers and events.
- To provide support, keep the service secure and prevent fraud and abuse.
- To improve the app by looking at how it is used overall.
- To meet legal and accounting obligations.
4. Advertising
The app may show ads served by Google AdMob. Google may use your device's advertising ID and technical information to show and measure ads. You can reset or limit personalised ads in your phone's settings. Subscribers may be shown no ads.
We do not sell your personal information.
6. What is public
Your reviews and ratings and — if you create one — your public profile (name, photo, bio, links, followers and likes). Your balance, purchases, reading and searches are private.
7. Notifications
Notifications need your permission. In the app settings you can choose new books, offers and events, or turn them all off; you can also turn them off in your phone's settings. When you turn them off, we stop sending to that phone.
8. How long we keep it
We keep account information while your account is open. Verification codes expire within minutes. Records of payments, purchases, refunds and orders are kept as long as law and accounting require, even after an account is deleted. Notification tokens are switched off when you turn notifications off or the app is uninstalled.
9. Security
Traffic between the app and our servers is encrypted (HTTPS). Passwords are stored hashed, purchase tokens are encrypted, and access to data is limited to staff who need it. No method on the internet is 100% secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.
10. Your choices and rights
- See and change your name, profile, language and password in the app.
- Remove your reviews or your public profile.
- Turn off notifications and personalised ads (phone settings).
- Ask us for a copy of your information or to correct it by writing to us.
- Ask for your account to be deleted (see below).
11. Deleting your account
To request deletion of your SBO App account, email us at the address below from the account's email address, or include the account's phone number, with the subject "Delete my account". We will confirm that you own the account, then close it and delete or anonymise your personal information within 30 days, except records the law requires us to keep (such as payment transactions). Any unused wallet balance and purchased books are lost when the account is deleted.
12. Children
SBO App is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their information. If you believe a child has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.
13. International transfers
Our servers and providers such as Google and Cloudflare may store and process information in countries outside your own. We use providers with reasonable safeguards.
14. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy. The date at the top shows the latest version; we will tell you in the app about significant changes.
15. Contact us
Questions, information requests or account deletion: [email protected]