At Zora Social, your privacy is not an afterthought — it is foundational. As a platform built to support immigrant life and local community, we understand that trust is earned through transparency, accountability, and ethical design. This article outlines how we approach data privacy and why it matters to us — and to you.
What Data We Collect #
To create a meaningful experience, we collect:
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Basic information: Name, email, city, profile photo, and bio
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Activity data: Posts, messages, group joins, comments, events you attend
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Technical data: IP address, device/browser type, cookies, log timestamps
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Optional details: When provided, e.g. phone number, interests, or employment info for job posts
We never collect data unrelated to platform use, and we do not request sensitive personal data unless absolutely required (e.g. payment processing, legal reporting).
Why We Collect It #
Zora uses your data to:
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Personalise your dashboard and group recommendations
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Improve platform performance and detect bugs
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Enable features like messaging, tagging, and location-based content
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Monitor for safety risks, spam, and harmful content
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Understand usage trends (anonymised) for platform development
We only collect what we need — and never more.
Where Your Data Lives #
All user data is securely stored in UK-based servers. This ensures:
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Compliance with UK data protection laws (including the UK GDPR)
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Reduced exposure to global third-party surveillance
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Easier enforcement of your legal rights as a UK-based user
We also take steps to minimise access, with encrypted passwords, firewalls, and tiered admin permissions.
How We Use Third Parties #
We use trusted third-party services to:
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Manage email communications
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Monitor platform traffic (e.g. Google Analytics)
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Protect against spam (e.g. CAPTCHA tools)
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Handle support requests
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Process payments (for subscriptions or partnerships)
Wherever possible, data shared with these services is anonymised or pseudonymised, and bound by contract to strict usage rules.
What We Don’t Do #
Zora does not:
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Sell your data to advertisers
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Share private messages with third parties
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Use your data for AI training
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Track your activity across non-Zora websites
We believe ethical platforms should be profit-sustainable, not data-exploitative.
Consent, Access & Control #
You always have control over your data. You can:
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Edit or delete your personal information at any time
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Download your data by request
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Request account deletion, which includes the removal of all user data (except archived compliance records)
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Control cookies through your browser, although our site does not currently offer pop-up cookie consent tools
To request data access or deletion, contact us via our support form or email legal@zorasocial.uk.
How Long We Keep Data #
We retain user data:
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While your account is active
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For 6 months after deletion or deactivation (for backup and legal reasons)
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Permanently anonymised for aggregated trend reporting
All deleted accounts are purged from our live systems and logs within six months.
Our Commitment to Ethical Use #
Privacy at Zora is not just legal — it’s ethical. We are committed to:
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Only building features that align with dignity and autonomy
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Auditing all third-party tools for fairness and security
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Never exploiting vulnerable groups or profiling based on nationality, religion, or identity
Zora is built for trust. We hold ourselves accountable to you.
