PRIVACY POLICY
TheCitizensGhana.com (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of all individuals who interact with our website and services. This Privacy Policy outlines the types of data we collect, how and why it is used, and the rights afforded to users under applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”).
We value transparency and privacy-first principles and are dedicated to protecting your personal information through appropriate technical, legal, and organizational controls. By using our website, TheCitizensGhana.com, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Scope of Policy and Data Controller Role
This Privacy Policy applies to personal data collected through TheCitizensGhana.com and any associated content, communications, or services. We act as the Data Controller for the purposes of the GDPR, and where relevant, as a Business as defined under the CCPA. This means we determine the purposes and means by which personal data is processed.
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or California, your rights and protections may differ, and we take steps to ensure that all processing complies with your region’s laws.
2. Categories of Data Processed
We collect and process the following categories of personal data:
a. Usage Data
Includes information such as your IP address, browser type and settings, device type, operating system, language preferences, referring pages, access times, and website interaction data.
b. Account Data
Collected when you register or create an account. Includes full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, and login credentials.
c. Profile Data
Includes user preferences, purchase history, browsing behavior, saved items, feedback, and participation in promotions or surveys.
d. Communication Data
Includes correspondence via email, contact forms, or support channels on TheCitizensGhana.com, as well as records of inquiries or complaints.
e. Technical Data
Includes data from the device used to access the website such as hardware model, operating system version, device identifiers, and system configuration information.
f. Transaction Data
Includes payment details, billing and shipping addresses, and records of products or services purchased or requested.
g. Preference Data
Includes information about your marketing and communication preferences, and expressions of interest in various products or content.
3. Legal Bases for Processing Personal Data
We process your personal data under the following lawful bases:
– Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent for particular uses of your data (e.g., subscribing to newsletters or receiving promotional emails).
– Contract Performance: Where processing is necessary to enter into or fulfill a contract with you (e.g., purchase transactions and account management).
– Legal Obligation: When processing is required to comply with applicable laws and legal obligations.
– Legitimate Interest: When processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, provided those interests do not override your fundamental rights or freedoms (e.g., maintaining website security, improving user experiences, and fraud prevention).
4. Your Rights Under GDPR and CCPA
We respect your rights regarding your personal data. Depending on your jurisdiction, your rights may include:
– Right of Access: To request confirmation of and access to your personal data held by us.
– Right to Rectification: To correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information.
– Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): To request deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal exceptions.
– Right to Restrict Processing: To request restricted processing of your data under certain conditions.
– Right to Data Portability: To receive personal data you have provided to us in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format or have us transfer it to another controller.
– Right to Object: To object to our processing where it is based on legitimate interest or direct marketing.
– Right to Opt-Out (CCPA): California residents can opt out of the “sale” of personal information as defined under the CCPA.
To exercise any of these rights, contact [email protected]. Identity verification may be required before we fulfill your request.
5. Security Measures
We implement a range of technical and organizational measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal data, including:
– Data encryption (in transit and at rest);
– Role-based access controls;
– Secure servers and infrastructure;
– Routine backups and redundancy protocols;
– Staff training in data protection and confidentiality;
– Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Despite these measures, no system is fully secure. We encourage you to use secure practices when submitting personal data online.
6. International Data Transfers
Your data may be stored or processed in servers located outside your jurisdiction, including countries outside the European Economic Area. Where such international transfers occur, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:
– Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission;
– Binding corporate rules, where applicable;
– Vendor due diligence assessments to ensure adequate protection under GDPR and CCPA standards.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to satisfy legal, accounting, or regulatory requirements. General retention periods include:
– Account and Transaction Data: Retained for up to 7 years for tax and contractual obligations.
– Usage and Analytics Data: Retained for up to 2 years for performance and user experience analysis.
– Communication Data: Retained for up to 3 years from the last correspondence.
– Marketing Preference Data: Retained until you withdraw your consent or opt-out.
8. Cookie Policy
We use cookies and similar technologies on TheCitizensGhana.com to enhance user experience, measure website performance, and deliver relevant content. These include:
– Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality and operation.
– Functional Cookies: Store user preferences and settings.
– Performance & Analytics Cookies: Help analyze usage data to improve website performance.
– Marketing/Targeting Cookies: Enable delivery of tailored advertisements and content.
9. Cookie Management and Compliance
You may manage cookies via browser settings or our Cookie Consent Manager. Where required by law, we obtain your consent before placing non-essential cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time.
California residents have the right to know what data is being collected through cookies and to opt out of the sale of personal information that results from third-party cookie activity.
10. Children’s Data Protection
TheCitizensGhana.com is not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13, we will take immediate steps to delete such data. Parents and legal guardians may contact us at [email protected] to review and request deletion of their child’s data.
11. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legal obligations or our data processing practices. Any substantive changes will be notified to users via website alerts or direct communication where feasible. Continued use of TheCitizensGhana.com after such updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or our data protection practices, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
We are committed to resolving all privacy-related issues swiftly and transparently.
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This Privacy Policy is established to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws, including the GDPR and CCPA. For any privacy concerns or to assert your rights, please reach out to [email protected] at any time.