This Privacy Policy describes how Somtel Somalia ("Somtel", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects the personal information you provide when using the Somtel Business platform, SMS API, SMS Portal, and USSD services. By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.
Information We Collect
Corporate & Onboarding Information
When you apply for the Somtel BulkSMS and USSD services, we collect the registration data you submit via our Registration Form. This includes your institution's name, primary contacts, and a copy of your Business License. We require this information to verify your entity's legitimacy and activate the services.
Service Dependency & Network Data
We collect information regarding the underlying Somtel services utilized by your institution that are required to support or run the BulkSMS application. This includes technical network configs and carrier routing details.
Message Metadata
We process and retain logs of the text messages transmitted through our API and SMS Portal. This includes metadata such as the sender address, destination numbers, transmission timestamps, and character counts (retaining standard 160-character segments for billing purposes). We do not store message body content beyond the immediate delivery queue, unless specifically requested for compliance logs.
Billing & Financial Records
We collect payment and billing histories related to your services, including API SMS consumption (billed at $0.005 per SMS), Monthly Recurring Connection fees ($100 MRC), Monthly USSD utilization ($50 MRC), and USSD Development charges ($100 NRC).
How We Use Your Information
Service Delivery & Provisioning
We use your institutional data to configure your BulkSMS gateways, assign USSD codes, monitor transmission segments against the standard 160-character limit, and resolve network issues.
Compliance & Safety Verification
To protect the public network, we use your business license and verification records to prevent fraudulent broadcasts, defamation, insults, harassment, trademark violations, or competitor policy breaches.
Billing Administration
Your usage metadata is utilized to calculate monthly consumption bills, MRC (Monthly Recurring Charges) for connection and USSD lines, and NRC (one-time developer costs).
Data Sharing & Disclosure
Strict Confidentiality
Somtel does not sell or rent customer data, business registration documents, or SMS traffic logs to any third-party marketing firms.
Regulatory Disclosures
We may share verification data or message logs with Somali regulatory bodies (such as the National Communications Authority) or law enforcement if required by law or in investigation of message-based defamation, insults, or trademark infringement.
Your Rights & Accuracy
Information Accuracy
In accordance with our agreement, you have the obligation to ensure all submitted business documentation is accurate. You reserve the right to view, update, or correct your registration details at any time.
Data Deletion & Retention
Upon termination of service (subject to the one-month notice period), you can request the permanent deletion of your registration files and message logs, except where retention is legally mandated by Somali telecom laws.
Data Retention
Traffic Log Retention
SMS transmission logs and USSD execution logs are retained for a minimum period of 12 months to satisfy local security regulations and facilitate billing dispute resolutions.
Contact Us
Privacy Inquiries
For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact our Data Protection team: