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Privacy Policy

Last updated: 9 September 2026

myLokaal ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR — Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and the applicable German data protection law (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz, BDSG).

1. Data Controller

Timothy Awuku
Bahnhofstraße 3
67547 Worms
Germany
Telefon: +49 157 831 48927
E-Mail: hello@mylokaal.com

For all data protection queries you may also write to: privacy@mylokaal.com

2. Categories of Personal Data We Process

  • Account data: name, email address, password (stored as a bcrypt hash — never in plain text), user role
  • Profile data: avatar image, biography, skills, city, phone number (all optional)
  • Transaction data: order contents, shipping address, payment references (we do not store full card numbers)
  • Usage data: pages visited, search queries, device type, browser name, IP address (anonymised after 30 days)
  • Communication data: messages sent through the platform, support requests, newsletter subscriptions
  • Technical data: session cookies, authentication tokens

3. Legal Basis for Processing (Art. 6 GDPR)

  • Art. 6(1)(b) — Contract performance: to create and manage your account, process orders, and provide the marketplace service
  • Art. 6(1)(c) — Legal obligation: for tax records, accounting, and regulatory compliance (e.g. HGB §257 — 10-year retention for invoices)
  • Art. 6(1)(f) — Legitimate interests: platform security, fraud prevention, improving service quality
  • Art. 6(1)(a) — Consent: marketing newsletters, non-essential cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

4. Purposes of Processing

  • Creating and managing user accounts
  • Facilitating transactions between buyers and vendors
  • Sending transactional emails (order confirmations, email verification, password resets)
  • Sending marketing communications — only with explicit prior consent
  • Ensuring platform security and preventing fraudulent activity
  • Complying with legal and regulatory obligations
  • Generating anonymised analytics to improve the service

5. Recipients and Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent or trade personal data. Data is shared only where strictly necessary:

  • Vendors / Skilled Neighbours: your name and shipping address are shared to fulfil an order or booking
  • Hosting provider: our servers and databases are hosted by Namecheap, Inc. (4600 East Washington Street, Suite 305, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA) on Namecheap's EU-region datacenter infrastructure. Namecheap processes personal data on our behalf as a data processor under Art. 28 GDPR, pursuant to a Data Processing Agreement (DPA)
  • Payment processors: payment data is transmitted directly to our payment partner under their own GDPR-compliant terms
  • Public authorities: only where required by applicable law (e.g. court order, tax authority)

6. International Transfers

All personal data is stored and processed on servers operated for us by our hosting provider, Namecheap, Inc., using Namecheap's EU-region datacenter infrastructure. As a result, your data remains within the European Union / European Economic Area during storage and processing.

Namecheap, Inc. is itself a company incorporated in the United States. To the limited extent that Namecheap's US-based personnel require remote access to that EU-hosted infrastructure for support or maintenance purposes, this constitutes a transfer of data to a third country. That transfer is safeguarded by the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), incorporated into our agreement with Namecheap, which provide an adequate level of protection under Chapter V GDPR.

If any other third-party service we use in the future requires a transfer outside the EEA, we will ensure an adequate level of protection through the mechanisms set out in Chapter V GDPR (adequacy decision or Standard Contractual Clauses).

7. Retention Periods

  • Account data: retained for the duration of your account, then deleted within 90 days of account closure — unless a longer statutory retention period applies
  • Transaction / invoice records: 10 years under §257 HGB and §147 AO (German commercial and tax law)
  • IP addresses (logs): anonymised after 30 days
  • Newsletter subscribers: until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent

8. Your Rights under GDPR (Art. 15–22)

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of access (Art. 15): receive a copy of all personal data we hold about you
  • Right to rectification (Art. 16): correct inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Right to erasure (Art. 17): request deletion ("right to be forgotten"), subject to legal retention obligations
  • Right to data portability (Art. 20): receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Right to restriction (Art. 18): limit processing in certain circumstances
  • Right to object (Art. 21): object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing
  • Right to withdraw consent (Art. 7(3)): at any time, without prejudice to prior processing
  • Right not to be subject to automated decisions (Art. 22): we do not use solely automated decision-making that produces significant legal effects

To exercise any right, email hello@mylokaal.com. We will respond within 30 days (extendable by a further 60 days in complex cases).

9. Minors

myLokaal is intended for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately and we will delete it promptly.

10. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against accidental loss, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These include: HTTPS (TLS) encryption for all data in transit, bcrypt-hashed passwords, session token management with HttpOnly/Secure/SameSite=Strict cookies, rate limiting, and regular security reviews.

11. Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent data protection supervisory authority. The authority for Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), where the data controller is located, is:

Landesbeauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit Rheinland-Pfalz (LfDI RLP)
Hintere Bleiche 34
55116 Mainz
Website: www.datenschutz.rlp.de

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. For material changes, we will notify registered users by email at least 30 days in advance.

Terms of Service

Last updated: 9 September 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of myLokaal (mylokaal.com), operated by Timothy Awuku ("Operator", "we", "us"). By accessing or using myLokaal, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.

1. The Platform

myLokaal is an online community marketplace connecting African and expat businesses, Skilled Neighbours, job seekers, and consumers across Germany. The Operator provides the technology platform; vendors, Skilled Neighbours, and employers operate as independent parties.

2. Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years old to register an account
  • You must provide accurate, truthful and complete information at registration and keep it up to date
  • One account per person; business accounts must represent an actual operating business
  • Accounts may not be transferred without our prior written consent

3. Account Security

You are responsible for safeguarding your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately at hello@mylokaal.com if you suspect unauthorised access.

4. Marketing Communications and Newsletter

Newsletter subscription is optional and is never a condition of creating an account. If you check the newsletter opt-in box on the registration form (or subscribe later elsewhere on the site), you agree to receive our email newsletter — community updates, new shops and jobs, platform announcements and occasional offers — sent to the email address you registered with. This checkbox is the legal basis (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) for that processing and is separate from transactional emails (e.g. order confirmations, verification links, booking notices), which we send regardless of newsletter status as they are necessary to operate your account. You may unsubscribe at any time, free of charge, via the link included in every newsletter email, without affecting your ability to use the rest of the platform.

5. Vendors and Sellers

  • Vendors must comply with all applicable German law, including the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), and consumer protection regulations
  • Product and service listings must be accurate, complete and not misleading
  • Vendors are solely responsible for order fulfilment, delivery, returns and customer service
  • myLokaal may charge a platform commission on completed transactions; current rates are published separately
  • Prohibited listings: illegal or counterfeit goods, weapons, adult content, tobacco/alcohol without appropriate authorisation, or any items prohibited under German law

6. Buyers

  • Purchases are direct contracts between buyer and vendor; myLokaal is not a party to the sale contract
  • As a consumer in Germany, you have a statutory right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht) of 14 days for distance contracts on physical goods (§355 BGB). This right does not apply to digital goods, custom-made items, or perishables
  • Disputes should first be raised directly with the vendor; myLokaal may offer mediation but is not obliged to do so

6a. Right of Withdrawal — Details & Model Form

Because myLokaal is a marketplace and not the seller, every purchase is a contract between you and the vendor named on your order confirmation. The right of withdrawal below is exercised against that vendor, not against myLokaal.

Right of Withdrawal. You have the right to withdraw from a purchase contract for physical goods within 14 days without giving any reason. The withdrawal period expires 14 days from the day on which you (or a third party named by you, other than the carrier) took possession of the goods. To exercise the right, you must inform the vendor of your decision by a clear statement (e.g. a letter, email, or phone call to the contact details on your order confirmation) before the period expires; sending the statement before the deadline is enough to meet it.

Effects of Withdrawal. If you withdraw, the vendor must reimburse all payments received from you, including standard delivery cost, without undue delay and within 14 days of being informed of your withdrawal, using the same payment method you used unless otherwise agreed, and without charging you a fee for the reimbursement. The vendor may withhold reimbursement until they have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent them back, whichever is earlier. You must send back the goods within 14 days of informing the vendor of your withdrawal. You bear the direct cost of returning the goods, unless the vendor has agreed to bear them or failed to inform you that you must. You are only liable for any diminished value resulting from handling the goods beyond what is necessary to establish their nature and function.

Exclusions. The right of withdrawal does not apply to: digital content not supplied on a physical medium once download/streaming has begun with your consent; goods made to your specifications or clearly personalised; goods liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly; sealed goods unsealed after delivery that are not suitable for return for health or hygiene reasons; and services fully performed before the withdrawal period ends where you expressly requested this and acknowledged you'd lose the right on completion.

Model Withdrawal Form. If you want to withdraw, you can use this form (not obligatory) and send it to the vendor's contact details on your order confirmation — or contact support@mylokaal.com if you need help identifying the right vendor contact:

To: [Vendor name and contact details from your order confirmation]
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*):
Ordered on (*)/received on (*):___________________
Name of consumer(s):___________________
Address of consumer(s):___________________
Order number:___________________
Date:___________________
(*) Delete as appropriate.

Refunds outside the withdrawal window (e.g. a faulty or not-as-described item after 14 days) are handled under statutory warranty/liability rules (Sachmängelhaftung, §§434 ff. BGB) — contact the vendor first; myLokaal can help mediate via support@mylokaal.com if the vendor is unresponsive.

7. Skilled Neighbours and Service Providers

  • Skilled Neighbours are independent contractors and are not employees or agents of myLokaal
  • You are solely responsible for your own tax obligations (income tax, VAT if applicable), insurance and contracts with clients
  • myLokaal does not guarantee a minimum volume of work, client quality or earnings
  • All service agreements are made directly between the Skilled Neighbour and client

8. Jobs Board

  • Job postings are subject to admin approval and must describe genuine employment or freelance opportunities
  • Employers must comply with German labour law, including the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG — anti-discrimination)
  • myLokaal is not the employer and takes no responsibility for the employment relationship

9. Prohibited Conduct

The following are strictly prohibited on myLokaal:

  • Harassment, bullying, discrimination, or hate speech on any basis (race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, etc.)
  • Spam, phishing, impersonation, or any form of fraud
  • Circumventing or attempting to bypass our payment systems
  • Scraping, crawling or copying platform content without prior written consent
  • Uploading malware, viruses or any harmful code
  • Creating multiple accounts to evade a ban or restrictions

Violations may result in immediate account suspension and, where required by law, reporting to competent authorities.

10. Intellectual Property

The myLokaal brand name, logo, design system and platform code are the intellectual property of the Operator and are protected by German and EU copyright law. User-generated content (listings, reviews, profile content) remains the property of the user. By posting content on myLokaal, you grant the Operator a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to display, reproduce and distribute that content solely for the purpose of operating and promoting the platform.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

  • myLokaal is not liable for the quality, safety, legality or accuracy of goods or services listed on the platform
  • myLokaal is not liable for transactions, disputes or losses arising between users
  • myLokaal is not liable for indirect, consequential or incidental damages
  • In cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct by the Operator, statutory liability remains unaffected
  • Our total liability to any user in any 12-month period shall not exceed the fees paid by that user in the same period

12. Availability and Changes

We aim to provide an uninterrupted service but do not guarantee 100% uptime. We reserve the right to modify, suspend or discontinue features with reasonable notice. We may update these Terms at any time; material changes will be notified by email at least 30 days in advance. Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed exclusively by the law of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). For disputes with consumers, the courts at the consumer's place of residence shall have jurisdiction as provided by law. For disputes with business users, the place of jurisdiction is Worms, Germany.

14. EU Online Dispute Resolution

The European Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform for consumers: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. Our email for ODR purposes: hello@mylokaal.com. We are not obliged or willing to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms: hello@mylokaal.com

Cookie Policy

Last updated: 9 September 2026

myLokaal uses cookies and similar technologies as described below.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. They allow the site to remember information about your visit (e.g. your login status or preferred city). Some cookies are essential for the site to function; others are optional.

Legal Basis

Essential cookies are set on the basis of our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) in providing a functional website. Non-essential cookies (analytics, preferences) are only set with your explicit consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR), which you may withdraw at any time via our cookie banner.

Cookies We Use

Name Purpose Duration Type
ah_token Authentication — keeps you logged in 30 days Essential
ah_location Preferred city & search radius 1 year Functional
ah_local_cart Guest shopping cart Session Functional
_ga Google Analytics (anonymised, opt-in only) 2 years Analytics

Managing Cookies

  • Browser settings — most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies
  • Cookie banner — decline non-essential cookies when prompted on first visit

Third-Party Services

We use Google Fonts (no tracking cookies), Font Awesome CDN (no cookies) and optionally Google Analytics (anonymised IP). We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.

Imprint

Last updated: 9 September 2026

Information pursuant to § 5 TMG (German Telemedia Act)

Responsible Person

Timothy Awuku
Bahnhofstraße 3
67547 Worms
Germany

Contact

Phone: +49 157 831 48927
Email: hello@mylokaal.com

Responsible for Content

Timothy Awuku
Bahnhofstraße 3
67547 Worms

Parent Company

myLokaal is a product of Prine Inc., a company incorporated in Ghana.
Prine Inc. is the parent company and legal entity behind myLokaal.

Consumer Dispute Resolution

We are not willing or obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

EU Commission Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

Liability for Content

As a service provider, we are responsible for our own content on these pages under general law pursuant to § 7 (1) TMG. Pursuant to §§ 8–10 TMG, however, we are not obliged to monitor transmitted or stored third-party information. Obligations to remove or block the use of information under general law remain unaffected.

Copyright

Content and works created by the site operator on these pages are subject to German copyright law. Reproduction, editing, distribution and any kind of exploitation beyond the scope of copyright law require the prior written consent of the respective author or creator.

Source: e-recht24.de/impressum-generator.html