1. Introduction
BusinessFinder.ae ("we", "us", or "our") is operated by Mini Hub Portal, a company licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), UAE. We provide a business directory and marketplace platform connecting businesses and consumers across the United Arab Emirates.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services. By using BusinessFinder.ae, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
- Account information: Name, email address, phone number, WhatsApp number
- Business listings: Business name, category, description, address, contact details, trade license, images
- Blog content: Articles you author or contribute
- Reviews and comments: Content you post about businesses
- Communications: Messages you send us via contact forms or email
2.2 Information We Collect Automatically
- Usage data: Pages visited, time spent, referring URLs, browser type, device information
- Location data: IP address (hashed for privacy), general geographic location
- Cookies: Session cookies for authentication, analytics cookies (Google Analytics)
- Listing views: Which listings you view (for ranking and analytics)
3. How We Use Your Information
- To create and manage your account
- To display your business listings on our platform
- To facilitate communication between businesses and potential customers
- To send service notifications (listing approvals, lead notifications)
- To improve our services, content, and user experience
- To analyze traffic patterns and user behavior (via Google Analytics)
- To detect, prevent, and address fraud, spam, or security issues
- To comply with UAE legal requirements and DET regulations
4. Information Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
- Public listings: Business contact information (phone, WhatsApp, email, website) is displayed publicly as part of your listing
- Service providers: Third-party services we use (Cloudflare for hosting/security, Google Analytics for traffic analysis, email delivery services)
- Legal compliance: When required by UAE law, court order, or government authority
- Business transfers: In connection with any merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
Marketplace listings: For businesses listed for sale, contact information is protected. Buyers contact the seller through our platform using a reference number, not direct contact details.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data:
- Passwords are hashed using bcrypt (never stored in plain text)
- IP addresses are hashed using SHA-256 with a server secret (not stored in raw form)
- SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission (via Cloudflare)
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Access controls limiting internal access to personal data
- Trade license documents are stored securely and only visible to admin
6. Your Rights
Under UAE data protection regulations, you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
- Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
- Data portability: Receive your data in a structured format
- Object: Object to processing of your data for specific purposes
To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected].
7. Cookies
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: For authentication and session management
- Analytics cookies: Google Analytics (G-PPBKMNNPT4) for understanding usage patterns
- Preference cookies: Remembering your settings (e.g., dismissed notifications)
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect site functionality.
8. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may collect data:
- Google Analytics: Website traffic analysis (IP anonymized)
- Cloudflare: CDN, DDoS protection, SSL/TLS
- Cloudflare R2: Image and file storage
- Google AdSense: Display advertising (with user consent)
- Stripe: Payment processing for premium subscriptions
9. Data Retention
We retain your data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by UAE law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention, audit trails).
10. Children's Privacy
BusinessFinder.ae is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected data from a minor, please contact us immediately.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
