Your information is a trust.

MAWADDAH is a private, moderator-guided Muslim matchmaking platform. This policy explains what information we collect from you, how we use it, who can see it, and your rights over it.

Some fields are sensitive — for example detailed family background, health, or photos. These fields are optional. You control their visibility. Sensitive fields are only revealed where strictly necessary for a review or approved introduction.

We use a compatibility engine to compare profiles across declared values, expectations, lifestyle, personality, and dealbreakers. AI suggestions are never sent directly to users — they are reviewed by a human moderator before any introduction is made. AI does not message other users on your behalf. Because MAWADDAH has no in-app messaging between candidates, no private-conversation content is collected or processed.

We do not sell user data. We do not run advertising. We do not share your information with marketers or data brokers. We do not allow third parties to scrape your profile.

We rely on a small number of trusted infrastructure providers (hosting, database, authentication, email). They process data strictly on our instructions. We do not authorise them to use your data for their own purposes.

We keep your data while your account is active. If you pause your profile, we retain it so you can return. If you delete your account, we remove your personal data within a reasonable period, except where we are legally required to retain certain records (for example for safety enforcement).

You can request account deletion from your settings. We action deletion requests within a reasonable period and notify you when complete. Some records (for example moderator audit logs and safety enforcement records) may be retained for legitimate legal and safety reasons.

MAWADDAH is for adults seeking nikāḥ. Accounts may only be created for individuals of legal marriageable age in their jurisdiction. We will remove accounts that violate this.

The walī's phone number is collected so that contact can be made by phone, WhatsApp or SMS after mutual acceptance of a moderator-approved match. The walī's number is only revealed to the other party on the match page after both sides accept. It is never shared publicly.

When a moderator approves a match, the specific fields and photos shared are determined by the moderator and the privacy controls of both applicants. Only approved fields are visible to the other party.

We use industry-standard security practices: encrypted transport, access controls, audit logging of moderator actions, and routine security reviews. No system is perfectly secure, but we take every reasonable measure to protect your information as the amānah it is.

Your data may be processed in regions where our infrastructure providers operate. Where required by law, appropriate safeguards are in place.

Photos are optional and privacy-controlled. Verification documents, if requested, are only seen by moderators or super-admins reviewing the case. Photo watermarking and additional anti-screenshot measures are planned for a future release and are not currently active.

MAWADDAH is operated by a South African team. The formal operating entity and full legal address will be published in this policy as company registration completes.

We will notify you about meaningful changes to this policy. Continued use after a change means you accept the updated policy.

For privacy questions, including data requests, contact privacy@mawaddahapp.lovable.app. For safety or misconduct reports see the contact page.