Privacy Policy

Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains what personal information PakWork collects, how we use and protect it, and the choices you have.

1. Who we are

PakWork ("PakWork", "we", "us") runs the website www.pakwork.pk, a marketplace connecting clients and freelancers in Pakistan. We are the "data controller" for the personal information described here. PakWork is built for users in Pakistan. You can contact us at info@pakwork.pk.

This policy explains what personal information we collect, why, who we share it with, how long we keep it, and the choices and rights you have. We handle information with care and follow the laws of Pakistan that apply to us.

About the law. At the time of writing, Pakistan does not yet have a general, enacted data protection law (the Personal Data Protection Bill is still a draft). Privacy is protected by the Constitution of Pakistan (Article 14, dignity and privacy), the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA), the Electronic Transactions Ordinance, 2002 and sector laws such as the Payment Systems and Electronic Fund Transfers Act, 2007 and banking confidentiality rules. We follow these laws, and we also follow good practice based on the draft Bill, such as telling you what we collect, collecting only what we need, and giving you control. If a data protection law is passed, we will update this policy to meet it.

2. Information we collect

Information you give us

• Account details: your name, email address, city, and your chosen password (we store only a one-way scrambled version, never the password itself).
• Profile details: headline, bio, skills, category, and anything else you choose to add.
• Jobs, applications and messages: what you post and send on PakWork, including files you deliver.
• Payment details: the payment method you used, the transaction ID, the amount, and an optional receipt image or PDF you upload. We do not collect or store card numbers, PINs, wallet passwords or OTP codes, and we ask that you never send them.
• Reviews, reports and messages to us: ratings, comments, reports about users or jobs, and emails you send us.

Information collected automatically

• Technical and security data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages requested, dates and times, and security events such as failed log-ins. We use this to keep the site safe and working.
• Cookies: small files that keep you logged in and, with your consent, measure how the site is used. See our Cookie Policy.
• Analytics (only with your consent): if you accept analytics cookies, Google Analytics may collect information about how you use the site, such as pages visited and approximate location.

Information from others: other users may give us information about you (for example, a review or a report). We do not buy personal information from data brokers.

3. How and why we use your information

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use it for automated decisions that have legal effects on you. Our automatic safety filters only block or flag content, such as phone numbers in public posts or scam wording, and a person can review the result.

4. What other people can see

• Public: your name, profile photo or initials, headline, city, skills, ratings and reviews, and your public job posts. Do not put private information such as your phone number, address or CNIC in public fields.
• Shared with the other user in a job: messages and files you exchange, your application and the agreed price.
• Never public: your email address, password, payment transaction details and receipts.

5. Who we share information with

We share information only where needed and never to sell it:

• Service providers that help us run PakWork: our web hosting and email providers, and, if switched on, Cloudflare Turnstile (spam protection) and Google Analytics (with your consent). They may only use the data to provide their service to us.
• Payment providers and banks such as JazzCash, Easypaisa, Raast and banks, to the extent needed to receive, check and send payments. We do not control their own privacy practices.
• Pakistani authorities such as courts, law enforcement, the cybercrime authorities (NCCIA / FIA), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) or the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), where the law requires it, where we receive a lawful order or request, or to investigate fraud, money laundering or other crime (for example under PECA 2016 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010). We may also be required to keep certain records for a period set by law.
• Professional advisers such as lawyers and accountants, who must keep it confidential.
• A buyer or successor if PakWork is sold or reorganised, in which case this policy would continue to protect your information.

6. Where information is stored

Our website, database and email are provided by hosting and technology companies. Their servers may be inside or outside Pakistan. Where they are outside Pakistan, we choose reputable providers and expect them to protect the information. We do not sell or rent your information to anyone.

7. How long we keep information

• Account and profile: while your account is open, then for a short period after closing in case of disputes or fraud checks.
• Jobs, messages and payment records: for as long as needed to settle disputes and to meet accounting, tax and legal requirements.
• Security logs and admin activity logs: for a limited period so we can investigate problems.
• Unconfirmed accounts (email never confirmed): confirmation links expire after 3 days and we may delete the account.

When we no longer need information, we delete it or make it anonymous.

8. How we protect your information

We use measures suited to the risk, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, protection against automated attacks, limits on repeated log-in attempts, private storage of payment receipts that are not reachable from the public website, two-factor log-in for administrators, and an activity log of administrator actions. No system is perfectly secure, so please use a strong, unique password and never share it. If a breach affecting you occurs, we will tell you and the authorities where the law requires.

9. Your rights and choices

You are in control of your information. You can:

• ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
• correct information that is wrong or incomplete (you can edit most of it in your profile);
• ask us to delete your information or close your account, where we do not have to keep it;
• withdraw your consent, for example to analytics cookies, at any time using "Cookie settings" in the footer;
• object to marketing emails. We will still send essential service emails, such as password resets; and
• complain to us if you think we have mishandled your information.

To use any of these choices, email info@pakwork.pk from the address on your account. We may need to confirm who you are first, and we aim to reply within 30 days. Some information, such as payment records, we must keep by law, and we will explain if so.

If you think a crime was committed against you online, such as identity theft, harassment, blackmail or fraud, you can report it to the cybercrime authorities of Pakistan (the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, formerly the FIA Cyber Crime Wing). If you have a consumer complaint, you may also use the consumer protection courts and councils of your province.

10. Children

PakWork is for people aged 18 and over, the age of majority in Pakistan. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has given us information, email info@pakwork.pk and we will delete it.

11. Links to other websites

PakWork may link to other websites, such as payment providers. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Please read their policies.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top shows when it last changed. For important changes we will show a notice on the website or email you.

Contact: PakWork, info@pakwork.pk.

Questions about this page? Email info@pakwork.pk.