Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how ThuoTech (Pty) Ltd ("ThuoTech", "we", "us") collects, uses, and protects information when you use the Thuo Link mobile application (the "App"). Thuo Link is a livestock and farm-management companion app that connects to your ThuoTech desktop installation and/or ThuoTech cloud account.

By using the App you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

1. Who we are

Data controller	ThuoTech (Pty) Ltd, Botswana
App	Thuo Link (com.thuolink.mobile)
Privacy contact	otsile@hypercode.co.bw

2. Information we collect

Information you provide

• Account & identity data — your name, username, email address, an encrypted (hashed) password, and your role and farm association. This is used to sign you in and control what you can access.
• Farm operational data — the records you create or edit in the App, such as animal, breeding, health, movement, inventory and financial records.
• Messages — the content of any messages and attachments you send through the App's in-app messaging features.

Information collected automatically

• Device & technical data — a device identifier used to pair the App with your desktop or cloud account, app version, operating-system version, IP address, and diagnostic/log information needed to keep the service working and secure.

Camera

The App uses your device camera only to scan QR codes and barcodes/RFID ear-tag labels (for example, to pair with your desktop or to identify an animal). Images are processed on your device for scanning and are not stored or transmitted by us.

What we do not collect

• We do not collect your precise GPS location.
• We do not use the App for advertising, and we do not sell your personal information.

3. How we use your information

• To provide and operate the App and synchronise your data between the mobile app, the desktop application, and the ThuoTech cloud.
• To authenticate you and keep your account and data secure.
• To respond to support requests and fix problems.
• To maintain, troubleshoot, and improve the service.
• To comply with legal obligations.

4. How your information is shared

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only:

• With service providers who host and operate our infrastructure (for example, our server and database hosting), strictly to provide the service on our behalf.
• When required by law — to comply with a valid legal request or to protect our rights, users, or the public.
• With your organisation — data you enter is visible to other authorised users of your farm/organisation account in line with your assigned role.

5. Data security

Data transmitted between the App and our servers is protected in transit using HTTPS/TLS encryption. Passwords are stored only in hashed form. We apply access controls and reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. You may request deletion of your account and associated personal data (see Section 8).

7. Children's privacy

The App is intended for use by farm operators and businesses and is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

8. Your rights

You may request to access, correct, export, or delete your personal information, or withdraw consent where applicable. To make a request, email otsile@hypercode.co.bw. We will respond within a reasonable period.

9. Facebook Page messaging

Separately from the App, ThuoTech operates a Facebook Page ("Thuo Tech") and responds to enquiries sent to that Page through Facebook Messenger. This section explains how we handle information received from Meta when you message us there.

When you send a message to our Facebook Page we receive the content of your message, the name and page-scoped identifier that Meta provides for your account, and the time the message was sent. We receive this only because you chose to message us; we do not obtain your Facebook profile, friend list, or any data beyond the conversation itself.

We use this information for one purpose only: to understand your enquiry and reply to it. We do not use Facebook Page conversation data for advertising, profiling, or resale, and we do not combine it with data from the App.

10. Automated replies and AI processing

Replies to Facebook Page messages are generated by an automated assistant rather than typed by a person. If you ask whether you are speaking to a person, the assistant will tell you it is automated. You can always reach a person instead by calling or messaging +267 72114791.

To generate a reply, the content of your conversation is transmitted to Anthropic, which operates the Claude language model, acting as our data processor. Anthropic processes the message in order to return reply text to us and does not use it to train its models. No other third party receives your Facebook Page conversation data.

Where the assistant cannot answer a question accurately — for example a price for a specific site, or whether we cover a particular area — it tells you we are checking, and a member of staff is alerted by email so that a person can answer you directly.

On our own server we retain the message identifier, a one-line summary of your question, and any follow-up record needed to make sure your enquiry is not missed or answered twice. Full message content is not retained by us after a reply has been generated; your conversation remains in Facebook Messenger, governed by Meta's own policies.

11. Data deletion

You can ask us to delete the information we hold about you at any time.

• App data. Email otsile@hypercode.co.bw from the address on your account, stating that you want your account and data deleted.
• Facebook Page conversation data. Email otsile@hypercode.co.bw with the name you use on Facebook and a note that you want your Messenger enquiry records deleted. You may also remove ThuoTech's access at any time through your Facebook settings, and you can delete the conversation itself from within Messenger.

We will confirm deletion by email within 30 days. Records we are required to keep by law are retained only for as long as that obligation lasts, and are not used for any other purpose.

12. Government and legal requests

From time to time a public authority may ask us to disclose personal information about a user. We treat those requests seriously and handle them according to the following practices.

• We review the legality of every request. Before disclosing anything, we check that the request comes from an authority entitled to make it, that it is properly issued, and that it is valid under the laws of Botswana. We do not disclose personal information on an informal or verbal request.
• We disclose the minimum necessary. We provide only the specific information the request actually requires, and no more. In practice we hold very little: for Facebook Page enquiries we retain a message identifier, a one-line summary of the question, and any follow-up record, rather than full conversation content.
• We document every request. We record what was asked for, who asked, what we disclosed, the reasoning applied, and the date. These records are kept so that our handling of any request can be reviewed afterwards.

Where we are lawfully permitted to do so, we will tell an affected user that their information has been requested.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you within the App. Continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, contact:

ThuoTech (Pty) Ltd	Botswana
Email	otsile@hypercode.co.bw