Privacy Policy
Effective Date: Upon app publication
Languages: English, Albanian, German
1. Who We Are
Mërgata (“the App”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is operated by Shqiprim Selmani, based in Ferizaj, Kosovo.
For any questions or privacy-related requests, contact:
📧 support@mergata.al
Users in the EU or UK may also contact their local data protection authority or the Information and Privacy Agency of Kosovo.
2. What This Policy Covers
This Privacy Policy explains how Mërgata collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use our mobile applications on iOS and Android.
A marketing website (mergata.al) may also provide general information about our service.
3. Who Can Use the App
The App is intended for users aged 18 and older.
Mërgata primarily serves the Albanian diaspora, including users in Europe, the UK, and the United States.
4. Information We Collect
4.1 Account and Profile Data
We collect information you provide when creating or editing your account:
First and last name
Gender
Country of residence
Age (not full date of birth)
Profile photo
Email address
4.2 Location Data
We collect precise location data only while you use features that require it (e.g., borders or rides).
We do not track your location in the background.
4.3 Usage and Device Data
We collect limited technical information such as device type, app version, and crash data to ensure app reliability and performance.
4.4 Camera and Photos
We access your device’s camera or photo gallery only when you upload a profile image.
We do not access contacts or other files.
4.5 Communications
If you contact us for support, we receive the information you choose to provide in your message.
4.6 Payments
Mërgata is currently free to use and does not collect any payment information.
5. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Provide and improve app functionality (e.g., rides, border data, community posts)
Maintain safety, security, and moderation of content
Deliver push notifications if you choose to enable them
Monitor performance and fix technical issues
Respond to user support requests
We do not send marketing or promotional communications at this time.
6. Legal Bases (GDPR)
Where applicable under the GDPR, we process personal data based on:
Contract: to provide the features and services you request.
Legitimate interests: for app security, moderation, analytics, and service improvement.
Consent: for location data and push notifications, which you can enable or disable in your device settings.
7. Service Providers
We rely on trusted third-party providers for hosting, data storage, authentication, and notifications.
All such providers process information on our behalf under confidentiality and data protection agreements.
Your data may be stored in secure cloud infrastructure within the European Economic Area (EEA) or other regions with appropriate safeguards, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses.
8. Data Retention
Posts: Hidden from user view after 30 days and later deleted from active systems.
Accounts: Kept until you delete your account.
Backups: Encrypted backups are retained for a limited time and then permanently deleted.
Support messages: Retained only as long as needed to resolve your inquiry.
9. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
Access or receive a copy of your data
Correct inaccurate data
Delete your account and related data
Object to or restrict processing
Request data portability
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@mergata.al.
We respond within 30 days.
Account deletion can also be done directly in the app (Profile → Delete Account).
10. International Data Transfers
If personal data is transferred outside your country or region, we ensure it is protected by appropriate safeguards and encryption standards.
11. Security
We use industry-standard security measures, including encryption of data in transit and at rest, restricted access, and regular monitoring to protect your information.
While no system is completely secure, we work continuously to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.
The most recent version will always be available in the App and on our website.
13. Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact:
📧 support@mergata.al
📍 Ferizaj, Kosovo
Child Safety Standards for Mërgata
At Mërgata, we take the safety of children very seriously. We are committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all users, and we strictly prohibit any form of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) on our platform. The following standards are in place to protect minors from any form of harm, abuse, or exploitation:
Prohibition of CSAE
Mërgata strictly prohibits any content or behavior that facilitates, promotes, or supports child sexual abuse, exploitation, or any other illegal activity related to children. This includes, but is not limited to:
Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM): Any images, videos, text, or other content that depicts, encourages, or facilitates child sexual abuse or exploitation.
Child Grooming: Any attempt to befriend a child online for the purpose of facilitating sexual contact, or to exchange sexual imagery with a child.
Sexualization of Minors: Any content that sexualizes or portrays minors in a manner that encourages or could result in their sexual exploitation.
Sextortion: Threatening or blackmailing a child by using real or alleged access to a child’s intimate images.
Child Trafficking: Any content related to the advertisement or solicitation of children for commercial sexual exploitation.
We will immediately remove any content that violates these standards, and appropriate actions may include permanent suspension of accounts, and reporting to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or relevant authorities.
In-App Mechanism for Reporting
We provide an in-app mechanism for users to report content or behavior that violates our Child Safety Standards. If you encounter any content that you believe endangers children or violates these standards, please use the reporting feature in our app to submit your concerns. We review all reports promptly and take appropriate action.
Action Against CSAM
We take appropriate action, including removing any Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM), after obtaining actual knowledge of such content. Our actions comply with our published standards and relevant child safety laws.
Reporting CSAM: If we confirm any CSAM, we will immediately remove it and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), or the relevant regional authority, as required by law.
Compliance with Child Safety Laws
Mërgata complies with applicable child safety laws and regulations. We have processes in place to report confirmed CSAM to the appropriate authorities, including but not limited to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), or other relevant child safety organizations.
Designated Child Safety Contact
We have a designated point of contact for handling notifications related to Child Sexual Abuse Exploitation (CSAE) content on our platform. This representative is available to discuss enforcement procedures, review reported content, and take appropriate action if required.
For any concerns or to report CSAE content, please contact us at:
Child Safety Contact Name: Shqiprim Selmani
Email: support@mergata.al
Phone Number: +383 43 99 50 50
Additional Contact Information: www.mergata.al
Apps with Adult Themes
Mërgata does not allow apps targeted at children to contain adult themes, including:
Excessive violence, blood, and gore.
Content promoting harmful and dangerous activities.
Negative body or self-image, such as content promoting plastic surgery, weight loss, or other cosmetic adjustments to a person’s physical appearance for entertainment purposes.
Commitment to Child Safety
We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for children and to following Google Play's Child Safety Standards Policy. We continuously review our policies and take all necessary actions to protect children from harm on our platform.
Mërgata will not tolerate any form of child abuse, exploitation, or endangerment. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, please contact your local law enforcement and relevant child safety organizations immediately.