Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated · Version 2026-08-12.1
This Privacy Policy explains how Sozo Consulting PLC (“Sozo”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information when you use the Sozo Diaspora portal at https://diaspora.sozoconsult.com (the “Portal”), our related emails, and offline coordination performed for diaspora services in Ethiopia.
By creating an account or otherwise using the Portal, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy. Where consent is required, we ask for it at registration and, for Power of Attorney engagements, again before payment.
1. Who we are
Sozo Consulting PLC operates Sozo Diaspora, a client and staff portal that helps Ethiopians abroad grant power of attorney, complete Digital MOFA / embassy-related steps, and request on-the-ground representation services (including sales, gifts, representations, and rent matters) executed in Ethiopia.
- Controller: Sozo Consulting PLC
- Address: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Email: diaspora@sozoconsult.com
- Phone: +251 929 237686 · +251 911 222768
2. Scope
This Policy applies to personal data processed through the Portal for clients, enquirers who use the contact form, and (where applicable) staff accounts. Separate Power of Attorney Terms & Conditions also apply when you start a POA engagement; those terms do not replace this Policy.
3. Personal data we collect
Depending on how you use the Portal, we may process the following categories of data:
- Account data: full name, email address, phone number, login credentials, account type, and account timestamps.
- Registration context: country you select during signup (used to support contact details and service context).
- Enquiry data: name, email, country, phone, and message content submitted via the contact form.
- Service and case data: Power of Attorney case information and status, selected service rights, service request details and reference numbers, payment records needed to process fees, assignment information, and status history.
- Communications: messages you exchange with our team about your matters.
- Documents and files: identity and supporting documents and other files you or our team upload to complete services.
- Technical and security data: limited technical information generated when you use the Portal (such as sign-in related data and operational logs) that we need to operate, protect, and improve the Portal.
- Payment-related data: fee amounts and payment status. Payment card details, when used, are collected by our payment provider and are not stored as full card numbers by Sozo for Portal operations.
4. How we collect data
We collect data directly from you (registration, forms, chats, uploads), automatically when you use the Portal (limited technical and security logs), and from our staff when they update case status, upload registered documents, or communicate with you about your matters. We may also receive limited status or document information from government offices, embassies, banks, courts, or other institutions involved in your matter, where necessary to perform the services you requested.
5. Why we use your data (purposes and legal bases)
We process personal data to:
- Create and manage your account, authenticate you, and keep the Portal secure (performance of a contract / legitimate interests in security).
- Provide Power of Attorney coordination, embassy / MOFA-related steps, Ethiopia registration support, and on-the-ground service requests (performance of a contract).
- Process payments and keep financial records of fees (performance of a contract / legal obligations).
- Communicate with you about your cases, including service-related emails and account recovery messages (performance of a contract / legitimate interests).
- Respond to contact-form enquiries (legitimate interests / steps prior to a contract).
- Detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, spam, misuse, and security incidents (legitimate interests).
- Comply with applicable law, respond to lawful requests, and establish or defend legal claims (legal obligation / legitimate interests).
6. Document vault and sensitive information
To deliver diaspora representation services we often need identity documents, property records, family documents, and similar materials. You should only upload documents that are necessary for your matter. Access is limited to authorised Sozo personnel, and we share documents with third parties only as needed to perform the requested services (for example MOFA, embassies, government registries, banks, courts, notaries, or counterparties you instruct us to deal with). Treat your login credentials as confidential and do not share them.
9. International transfers
You may access the Portal from outside Ethiopia while we operate primarily from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Your data may be processed in Ethiopia and in other locations where our infrastructure or processors operate. Where we transfer data internationally, we take steps appropriate to the sensitivity of the data and the available contractual and technical safeguards.
10. Retention
We retain account, case, message, payment, and document records for as long as needed to provide the services, meet legal, accounting, and dispute-related requirements, and maintain an accurate service history. Temporary account-recovery and security records are kept only as long as needed for those purposes. Contact-form messages are retained for follow-up and internal records. When data is no longer required, we delete or anonymise it where practicable.
11. Security
We apply appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration, taking into account the nature of the Portal and the sensitivity of the information we handle. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. You are responsible for protecting your password, devices, and account access, and for notifying us promptly of suspected unauthorised use.
12. Your choices and rights
Subject to applicable Ethiopian law and any other law that may apply to you, you may request access to the personal data we hold about you, correction of inaccurate data, or deletion where we are not required to keep it. You may also update certain account details by contacting us, and you may use the Portal’s account recovery options where available. To exercise privacy requests, email us at the address below. We may need to verify your identity before responding.
13. Children
The Portal is intended for adults who can enter binding arrangements for diaspora services. We do not knowingly create accounts for children. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us so we can take appropriate action.
14. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date and document version (2026-08-12.1) will change when we do. Material changes that affect how we use personal data for existing accounts may be communicated through the Portal or by email where appropriate. Continued use after an update constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Policy, except where additional consent is required by law.
15. Contact
For privacy questions or requests, contact Sozo Consulting PLC at diaspora@sozoconsult.com, or by phone at +251 929 237686 / +251 911 222768, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Also see our Terms of Service.
