Legal
PROceed — operating the website at qatarprodirectory.abecods.com — is the controller of the personal data described here ("we", "us", "our"). PROceed publishes free guides and operates a vetted directory and advertising platform for PRO services in Qatar and the wider GCC, from the State of Qatar. Our contact details are in section 17.
This policy applies to personal data we collect through this website and our related forms, accounts, and communications. We process personal data in accordance with:
In line with the PDPPL, we process personal data with transparency, honesty, and respect for human dignity, and we collect only data that is relevant to the lawful purposes set out below.
We collect the following, mostly directly from you when you choose to provide it:
| Where it comes from | What we collect |
|---|---|
| Account registration (expats and PRO companies) | Name, email address, password, and account type (Client or PRO company). For PRO companies, also: company name, commercial registration (CR) number, WhatsApp/phone, and website. |
| PRO listing submissions | Business details, service descriptions, indicative pricing, contact details, logos, and images you publish in your listing. |
| Contact & enquiry / lead forms | Name, email, phone, the service you're interested in, and your message. Lead enquiries may be passed to the relevant PRO provider (see section 10). |
| Advertiser billing (WooCommerce) | Billing name, company, email, phone, and billing address for paid listings/advertising. Payment is made offline by bank transfer or manual invoice — we do not collect or store card or bank-card numbers on this website. |
| AI chat assistant (PurioChat) | The messages and questions you type into the on-site chat/search assistant, and basic technical metadata about the session (see section 8). |
| Automatic / usage data | IP address, device and browser type, pages viewed, referring source, and similar log and cookie data collected automatically when you use the site (see section 6). |
We ask that you do not submit data of a "special nature" (see section 15) through our forms or the chat assistant.
We will not use your personal data for a new, incompatible purpose without telling you and, where required, obtaining your consent. We do not sell your personal data.
Under the PDPPL we process personal data on the basis of your consent or another lawful basis. In practice we rely on:
We use a small number of trusted providers to run the website. Some may process limited personal data on our behalf (as processors) or under their own policies:
These providers are responsible for their own processing under their own privacy policies. We share only the minimum data needed for each service.
Our site offers an AI-powered chat and search assistant ("PurioChat"). When you use it, the questions and messages you type are processed to generate responses and may be sent to the underlying AI service that powers it. Please do not enter passwords, ID/QID numbers, payment details, or other sensitive personal data into the chat. The assistant provides general information only and is subject to our Disclaimer — its answers are not legal advice.
We send marketing or newsletter emails only where you have given consent. In line with the PDPPL's rules on electronic communications for direct marketing, every marketing message identifies us as the sender and includes a clear, free way to unsubscribe. You can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us. Withdrawing marketing consent does not stop essential service messages about your account or orders.
We keep personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes above — for example, while you maintain an account or listing, and afterwards for a reasonable period to meet legal, accounting (advertiser invoices), and security requirements. When data is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it.
Some providers (for example hosting or the AI assistant) may process data outside Qatar. Where we transfer personal data across borders, we do so in accordance with the PDPPL and take steps to ensure an adequate level of protection for your data.
We apply appropriate technical and organisational measures — including encryption in transit (SSL/HTTPS), access controls, and regular backups — to protect personal data, as required by the PDPPL. No system is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. If a personal-data breach occurs that is likely to cause serious harm, we will notify the National Cyber Security Agency and affected individuals as required by law and without undue delay.
Subject to the PDPPL (and the GDPR where it applies), you have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights — including to delete your account and associated personal data — email us at hello@qatarportal.qa. We may need to verify your identity first, and we will respond within the period required by law.
The PDPPL gives special protection to data revealing ethnic origin, children's data, health, physical or mental condition, religious beliefs, marital relations, and criminal offences. We do not seek to collect such data and ask you not to submit it. We will only process it where the law allows and with any permit required.
The platform is intended for adults and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will delete it.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above and, where changes are material, take reasonable steps to notify you. Please review this page periodically.
For any privacy question, or to exercise your rights, contact our controller:
PROceed — Qatar PRO Directory (data controller)
Email: hello@qatarportal.qa
Phone: +974 5412 325
Location: Doha, State of Qatar
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the supervisory authority in Qatar: the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), which oversees the PDPPL.