Privacy Policy

Last updated: 14 November 2026

eSomeni (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose information when you visit or use eSomeni.com and the eSomeni mobile app, our digital self-publishing and reading platform dedicated to African literature.

By accessing or using eSomeni, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. About eSomeni

eSomeni is a self-publishing and digital reading platform that empowers African writers to publish and share their work, while enabling readers to discover, read, and support African authors through ebooks and selected hardcopy formats at affordable prices.

2. Information We Collect

a) Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account as a reader or author

• Upload manuscripts or publish content

• Purchase or access ebooks or hardcopy materials

• Join or post in book clubs

• Subscribe to newsletters or platform updates

• Contact customer support or communicate with us

This information may include:

• Full name

• Email address

• Phone number (required when you create an account; also used for M-Pesa payments)

• Username and password

• Billing and payment details (processed securely via third-party payment providers; we do not store card numbers)

• Author profile information such as biography, photo, and published works

• User-generated content including reviews, comments, book club posts, or uploaded manuscripts

You may choose not to provide certain information, but doing so may limit your ability to access some platform features.

b) Automatic Information

When you use eSomeni, we automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address

• Browser type and version

• Device type and operating system

• Pages visited, reading activity, and interaction data

• Date and time of access

This data helps us improve platform performance, security, and user experience.

c) App Analytics and Crash Reports

The eSomeni mobile app uses Google Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics to help us understand how the app is used and to fix problems quickly. These services collect:

• Screens viewed and basic in-app actions (for example opening a book, starting a purchase, joining a book club)

• Crash logs and diagnostic information (for example the error that occurred, app version, device model and operating system)

• An app instance identifier assigned by Firebase

We do not send your name, email address, phone number, or the content of what you read or write to Firebase. This information is used only to improve the app and is not used for advertising. Google processes this data on our behalf under its own privacy terms (firebase.google.com/support/privacy).

d) Cookies and Similar Technologies

eSomeni uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your login session

• Personalize content and recommendations

• Improve site functionality and performance

• Analyze usage trends

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect features such as account login and content access.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Operate and maintain the eSomeni platform

• Enable content publishing and digital reading services

• Process payments and transactions

• Personalize reading and content recommendations

• Communicate important platform updates, notices, or promotional content

• Diagnose crashes and improve app stability and performance

• Improve security, prevent fraud, and enforce our Terms of Use

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Sharing of Information

We only share personal information in the following circumstances.

a) Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers for services such as:

• Payment processing (such as M-Pesa, PayPal and Paystack)

• Hosting and data storage

• Email communication

• Push notifications, app analytics and crash reporting (Google Firebase)

These providers are given access only to the information necessary to perform their services and are contractually required to protect it.

b) Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose personal information if required by law, regulation, court order, or when necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of eSomeni, our users, or the public.

c) Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of the business, subject to this Privacy Policy.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)

• Restricted access to personal data

• Secure third-party payment gateways

While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no system is completely secure. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential.

6. Data Retention

We keep your personal information for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we delete your personal information within 7 business days, except transaction and payment records, which we keep for the period required by Kenyan financial record-keeping and tax law. Crash reports and analytics data are kept by Firebase for a limited period and then deleted automatically.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access and update your account information

• Request correction or deletion of your personal data, subject to legal and operational requirements

• Opt out of non-essential communications

• Disable cookies through your browser settings

Deleting your account or data: you can delete your account yourself in the app (Profile → Settings → Delete account) or on the website (Settings → Delete account), or delete only some of your data while keeping your account. Full instructions are on our Delete Your Account page.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below.

8. Children’s Privacy

eSomeni provides content suitable for both children and adults. However:

• Users under the age of 18 should use the platform with the involvement and consent of a parent or guardian

• We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without parental consent

9. Third-Party Links

eSomeni may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third parties.

We encourage users to review third-party privacy policies independently.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices.

Any updates will be posted on this page, and the revised policy will apply from the date of publication.

11. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kenya.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:

• Email: customercare@esomeni.com

• Privacy and deletion requests: privacy@esomeni.com

• Website: www.esomeni.com