Athena Privacy Policy
Your information, explained clearly.
Athena provides credit access and financial advisory services through a WhatsApp-first experience. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and share it, how we protect it, and how you can request deletion of your data.
By interacting with Athena (including via WhatsApp), you agree to this Privacy Policy.
Effective Date
31th March, 2026
Last Updated
31th March, 2026
1) Who we are
Athena is operated by:
Legal Entity Name: Zeeh Technologies Limited
Address: 16192 Coastal Hwy, Lewes, Delaware 19958, US
Lekki, Lagos NG
Support: support@zeeh.africa
2) Privacy disclosures
2.1 Opt-in and opt-out
We will only message you on WhatsApp if you have provided your mobile number and given opt-in permission to receive messages from Athena.
You can opt out at any time by replying STOP (or using our in-chat “Opt out” option). We will respect requests to discontinue communications.
2.2 What we use WhatsApp data for
We use WhatsApp messages and conversation context to:
- Onboard you and support your account,
- Process loan applications and provide status updates,
- Send repayment reminders and servicing messages,
- Provide financial education and business tips,
- Respond to support requests.
2.3 Sensitive information and safe collection
Athena's approach (our commitment to safety):
- We will never ask you to share full payment card numbers via WhatsApp.
- We will avoid requesting full bank account numbers in free text; where needed, we will use structured prompts and/or secure capture methods.
- For identity checks, we may request regulated identifiers (e.g., BVN/NIN) only to the extent necessary for KYC and credit checks, and we may provide a secure channel (e.g., secure link or embedded form) to capture them safely.
In-chat safety warning
“Only share this with Athena's verified account. Do not share your BVN/NIN with anyone else.”
3) What information we collect
3.1 Information you provide (via WhatsApp or other channels)
- Identity & contact: name, phone number, date of birth (if required), address (if required), language preference.
- Government identifiers for verification: BVN/NIN (where required to run checks).
- Business profile: business type, location/market, time in business, sales/expense estimates, inventory cycle.
- Loan servicing info: repayment preferences, support requests, feedback.
3.2 Information generated by your use of Athena
- WhatsApp conversation metadata and chat content (as needed for servicing),
- Application status, offer details, acceptance logs,
- Repayment schedule, repayment history, delinquency status,
- Internal risk indicators (e.g., “first-time borrower”, “thin-file customer”),
- Engagement signals (e.g., whether messages were delivered; where available).
3.3 Information from third parties
To provide lending and fraud prevention services, we may receive:
- KYC verification results from identity/KYC providers,
- Credit bureau / credit history signals (where available),
- Payment/disbursement confirmations and transaction references from payment processors or banks.
4) How we use your information
- Verify identity (KYC) and prevent fraud
Confirm you are who you say you are and reduce impersonation and abuse.
- Assess credit eligibility and generate offers
Run credit history checks (where available).
If you have no/limited credit history, assess affordability using your responses and behavioral indicators to determine a safe starter limit.
- Disburse loans and manage repayments
Create repayment schedules, send reminders, confirm payments, and maintain account status.
- Provide financial coaching and business tips
Send tailored advice to support better money management and improve repayment outcomes.
- Improve Athena and meet legal obligations
Troubleshoot, analytics, service quality, compliance reporting, and audits.
5) Legal bases for processing
Depending on the context, we rely on:
- Your consent (e.g., WhatsApp messaging opt-in, some optional coaching),
- Contract / steps to enter a contract (processing your loan application and servicing your loan),
- Legal obligation (KYC/AML and recordkeeping where applicable),
- Legitimate interests (fraud prevention, service improvement, dispute resolution), balanced with your rights.
6) Automated decision-making
Athena may use automated processes to:
- Determine eligibility and propose loan terms (including thin-file scoring),
- Trigger reminders and tailored financial advice,
- Flag suspicious or potentially fraudulent activity.
Where appropriate, Athena provides decision explanations (e.g., key contributing factors) and may allow escalation to human review for disputes or exceptional cases.
7) How we share your information
We do not sell your personal data. We may share it with:
- Service providers (hosting, analytics, customer support tools, security monitoring) under contractual confidentiality and security obligations.
- KYC providers for identity verification and fraud prevention.
- Credit bureaus/data providers for credit checks (where available and permitted).
- Payment processors/banks to disburse funds and reconcile repayments.
- Regulators/law enforcement where required by law or to prevent fraud and harm.
8) Data retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary to:
- Provide services and support,
- Meet legal and regulatory requirements (including lending/KYC recordkeeping),
- Maintain audit logs,
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements.
When we no longer need data, we delete or anonymize it, unless retention is required by law.
9) Security
We use safeguards designed to protect your data, including:
- Role-based access controls (only authorized staff can access sensitive info),
- Encryption in transit (and at rest where applicable),
- Audit logging of sensitive actions (KYC checks, disbursement approvals, overrides),
- Monitoring for suspicious activity and fraud patterns.
10) Your rights and how to request deletion
Athena expects that users can request:
- Access to your data,
- Correction of inaccurate data,
- Deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements),
- Withdrawal of consent for WhatsApp messaging.
How to request deletion
To request deletion, email support@zeeh.africa with:
- Your full name
- Your WhatsApp phone number
- The request: “Delete my Athena data”
We will verify your request and respond within a reasonable timeframe. Some records may be retained where required by law (e.g., financial and compliance records).
11) International transfers
If we use cloud or service providers located outside Nigeria, your data may be processed in other countries. We take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards and contractual protections are in place.
12) Children
Athena is not intended for children. If we learn we collected data from a child unlawfully, we will take steps to delete it.
13) Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will update the “Last Updated” date and provide notice where required.
14) Contact us
Support: support@zeeh.africa