Sozo Business Group – Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: March 8, 2025

Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

Our website address is: https://sozobusinessgroup.com.

We are Sozo Business Group, a consultancy and facilitation service provider.

Our Offices:

Ethiopia Office: Megenagna, Metebaber BLDG, Office 701, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
UAE Office: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

For privacy-specific concerns, please contact us at: privacy@sozobusinessgroup.com

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us through our various service channels:

For All Users:

Technical Data: Such as IP address, browser type, and usage data collected through cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website.

For Job Seekers:

Personal & Professional Data: Name, email, phone number, nationality, profession, work experience, education, CV/resume, passport copy, and desired job location.

For Employers:

Business Data: Your name, job title, company name, business email, phone number, company location, industry, and hiring needs.

For Partner Agents:

Partnership Data: Your name, company name, business email, phone number, location, industry, and description of your network.

For Students:

Application Data: Full name, age, email, phone number, level of education, program studied, program of interest, destination country, academic records (transcripts, certificates), and passport copy.

For Patients:

Personal & Medical Data: Name, contact information, address, passport details, date of birth, health records, treatment plans, doctor consultations, and financial data for payment processing.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

To Provide Our Services: To process your application (job, study, partnership, medical), share your profile with relevant third parties (employers, universities, hospitals, partner agencies), facilitate visa applications, and coordinate travel.
To Communicate: To communicate with you regarding your application status, provide consultations, and send updates.
For Marketing: To send you marketing communications about our services, which you can opt out of at any time.
For Improvement: To improve our website and services.
For Legal Compliance: To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Performance of a Contract: To fulfill our obligations to you when you engage our services.
Consent: When you have given us clear consent, for example, to send you marketing emails or share sensitive medical data.
Legitimate Interests: For our legitimate business interests, such as improving our services and fraud prevention.
Legal Obligation: To comply with the law.

5. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information with:

Potential Employers/Partner Agencies: (For Job Seekers) Your CV and profile are shared with our client companies and vetted sub-agents.
Educational Institutions & Embassies: (For Students) Your application data is shared with universities and government authorities for admission and visa processing.
Hospitals & Healthcare Providers: (For Patients) Your medical information is shared with accredited hospitals for treatment planning and cost estimation.
Service Providers: We use third-party providers for form processing, data storage, email services, and analytics. They are contractually obligated to protect your data.
Legal Authorities: If required to do so by law or to protect our rights and safety.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside of your residence, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States, and European countries, which may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place through:

Contracts with standard data protection clauses approved by relevant authorities.
Verification that the third country ensures an adequate level of protection.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law. For example:

Contact form entries are kept for six months.
Job seeker and student application data is retained for the duration of the application process and for a reasonable period thereafter for record-keeping.
Patient medical data may be retained for longer periods for legal and medical purposes.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

You have the right to:

Access – Request a copy of your personal data.
Rectification – Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure – Request deletion of your personal data.
Restriction – Request limiting the processing of your data.
Data Portability – Request transfer of your data to another organization.
Object – Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
Withdraw Consent – Withdraw your consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@sozobusinessgroup.com. We will respond within one month.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance user experience. You can control cookie settings through your browser. We may use analytics packages to understand website traffic. You can opt-out of analytics tracking.

10. Data Security

We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest.
Restricted access to authorized personnel only.
Regular security assessments and staff training.

11. Data Breach Procedures

We have procedures in place to detect, report, and investigate a personal data breach. In the event of a breach that risks your rights and freedoms, we will notify you and the relevant supervisory authority as required by law.

12. Automated Decision-Making

We do not use fully automated decision-making, including profiling, that has legal or similarly significant effects on users.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy. The “Last Updated” date will reflect changes. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Terms and Conditions

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing, using, or engaging with Sozo Business Group, you agree to these Terms. If you disagree, you must not use our services.

2. Description of Services

Sozo Business Group provides non-clinical consultancy and facilitation services:

Human Resources: Connecting job seekers with employers and managing partner agency networks.
Study Abroad: Assisting students with university applications and visa processes.
Medical Travel: Facilitating medical visa applications, treatment coordination with hospitals, and travel logistics for patients.

We are not a medical provider. We do not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All medical decisions and outcomes are the sole responsibility of the patient and the treating hospital.

3. User Responsibilities

You agree to:

Provide truthful, accurate, and complete information.
Ensure all uploaded documents (CVs, academic records, medical reports) are authentic.
Maintain valid passport and travel documents.
Inform us promptly of any changes to your information or circumstances.
Use our services for lawful purposes only.

4. Fees, Payment, and Refunds

Service Fees: Our consultancy fees will be detailed in a separate service agreement.
Payment Methods: We accept bank transfers, credit cards, and mobile payment platforms.
Third-Party Costs: You are solely responsible for all costs charged by third parties (e.g., university fees, hospital bills, embassy fees, flights).
Refunds: Service fees are generally non-refundable once work has commenced, except as explicitly stated in your service agreement. No refunds are given for visa denials or third-party service issues.

5. Important Disclaimers

No Guarantee of Outcomes: We do not guarantee job placement, university admission, visa approval, or successful medical treatment. Final decisions rest with third parties (employers, universities, embassies, hospitals).
Third-Party Services: We facilitate services provided by independent third parties. We are not liable for their actions, errors, omissions, or for any changes in their pricing or terms.
Medical Risks: We are not liable for the efficacy, outcome, or any complications arising from medical treatments. You are advised to consult with your physician regarding fitness for travel and treatment.

6. Cancellation and Termination

By You: You may cancel services by notifying us in writing. Refunds will be processed per your service agreement, minus any non-recoverable costs we have incurred.
By Us: We may terminate services immediately if you breach these Terms, provide false information, or engage in fraudulent activity. No refund will be provided in such cases.

7. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Sozo Business Group shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our services, including but not limited to:

Visa denials or delays.
Outcomes of medical treatments.
Actions or omissions of third-party providers.
Unauthorized access to your data.

Our total liability to you shall not exceed the total fees you have paid to us for the specific services giving rise to the claim.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on our website (trademarks, logos, text) is our property or our licensors’. You may not use, reproduce, or distribute it without our express written permission. Documents you upload remain your property, but you grant us a license to use them to provide our services.

9. Confidentiality

We will treat your personal and medical information as confidential and handle it in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Dispute Resolution: Any disputes shall first be settled through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, the dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration in Addis Ababa in accordance with Ethiopian Arbitration Law.

11. Changes to Terms and Conditions

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.

Contact Information

For General Inquiries:

Sozo Business Group

Ethiopia Office:
Megenagna, Metebaber BLDG, Office 701
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

UAE Office:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Email: info@sozobusinessgroup.com
Website: https://sozobusinessgroup.com

For Privacy-Specific Concerns:

Email: privacy@sozobusinessgroup.com

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