Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to ETrip Ethiopia (“ETrip”, “we”, “our”, or “us”), accessible via www.etrip.et. We operate an integrated travel and hospitality marketplace connecting travelers and locals with verified accommodations, vehicle rentals, dining establishments, airport transfers, local experiences, and wellness services across Ethiopia.

Your privacy matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and protect it, and what rights you have over your data. By using ETrip, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the practices described here.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide, secure, and personalize our services:

• Account Information: When you register or sign in, we collect your full name, email address, phone number, and account preferences to identify you and manage your account securely.
• Sign-In with Google:When you authenticate via “Sign in with Google”, we receive your Google user ID, full name, verified email address, and profile picture. We do not receive or store your Google account password.
• Reservation & Booking Details: When you reserve a stay, rental vehicle, dining experience, tour, or wellness appointment, we store your booking dates, times, selection details, guest counts, and any special requests.
• Payment Information: For transactions processed via supported local payment gateways (such as Telebirr or CBE), we record transaction references and confirmation status only. Card numbers and banking credentials are handled exclusively by certified payment processors and are never stored on our servers.
• Host & Vendor Information: If you list a service or property on ETrip, we collect business registration details, property addresses, service descriptions, and payout account information to verify your listing and facilitate settlements.
• Device & Usage Data: IP address, device type, browser, preferred language, and interaction patterns with our platform to improve performance, security, and user experience.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following legitimate purposes:

• Reservation Fulfillment: Processing and confirming bookings, communicating availability, and delivering reservation details to the relevant host or service operator.
• Authentication & Account Security: Verifying user identities at login, detecting unauthorized access, and protecting accounts from fraudulent activity.
• Customer Support & Communications: Sending booking confirmations, receipts, schedule updates, and responding to help and dispute inquiries.
• Platform Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance performance, improve search relevance, and develop new features and service categories.
• Legal & Compliance: Meeting obligations under applicable Ethiopian laws and cooperating with authorized regulatory authorities where required.

4. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third-party advertisers. We share data only in the following circumstances:

• With Verified Hosts & Operators: When you initiate a booking, the relevant host or service operator receives only the information necessary to fulfill your reservation — typically your name and contact details.
• With Trusted Infrastructure Providers: We partner with reputable cloud infrastructure and security providers to host, protect, and deliver our platform. All providers operate under strict data processing agreements and confidentiality obligations and are not permitted to use your data for any purpose beyond service delivery.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by applicable laws, court orders, or regulatory authorities within the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

5. Data Security

ETrip applies rigorous, industry-standard security practices to protect your personal information at every level:

• All data transmitted between your browser and our platform is encrypted using HTTPS with TLS 1.3, enforced site-wide.
• Access controls are implemented at the data layer, ensuring each user can only access and modify information they are authorized to view.
• Sensitive credentials, API keys, and service configurations are stored in isolated, encrypted server environments and are never exposed to client-side code or browsers.
• We conduct regular security assessments and apply updates promptly to address emerging vulnerabilities.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide you with our services and meet our legal obligations. Booking records are retained for a minimum of two years for dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. You may request deletion of your account and associated personal data at any time (see Section 7 below).

7. Your Rights & Data Deletion

You have full control over your personal information. You may exercise the following rights at any time:

• Right of Access: Request a copy of all personal information we hold about you.
• Right of Correction: Update or correct any inaccurate account or profile information.
• Right of Erasure: Request permanent deletion of your account and all associated personal data by contacting us at hello@etrip.et. Upon verification of your identity, all personal records will be permanently removed within 30 days, unless retention is required by law.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

8. Cookies & Tracking

ETrip uses essential cookies and local storage to maintain your session, remember your theme preference, and keep you authenticated. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or behavioral tracking. You may clear cookies through your browser settings at any time; however, this may affect platform functionality such as session persistence.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable regulations. When we make significant updates, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy regularly. Your continued use of ETrip after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact our support team: