Privacy Policy

We collect the following categories of information:

• Account information: name, email address, username, password (hashed), and profile details you provide.
• Contributor information: for writers and creators: biography, avatar, social links, and submitted content.
• Newsletter & preferences: email address, topic interests, and subscription status.
• Usage & device data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages viewed, referring URLs, and interaction events.
• Cookies & similar technologies: as described in our Cookie Policy.
• Communications: messages you send us, including support and contact form submissions.

• Provide, operate, personalize, and improve the Services.
• Create and manage accounts and contributor studios.
• Send newsletters, push notifications, and service messages you have opted into.
• Measure performance, analyze trends, and develop new features.
• Maintain security, prevent fraud and abuse, and enforce our terms.
• Comply with legal obligations.

Where the GDPR or UK GDPR applies, we process personal data on the bases of: your consent (e.g. newsletters, non-essential cookies); performance of a contract (e.g. account services); our legitimate interests (e.g. security, analytics, product improvement); and legal obligation. You may withdraw consent at any time.

We use essential and, with your consent, analytics and advertising cookies. You can manage preferences via our consent banner and browser settings. See our Cookie Policy for details.

We rely on trusted providers that may process data on our behalf or under their own policies, including:

• Hosting & infrastructure providers that store and serve content.
• Analytics (e.g. Google Analytics) to understand usage.
• Advertising (e.g. Google AdSense), which may use cookies to serve and measure ads.
• Embedded media such as YouTube players, which may set cookies and collect data per Google's policies.
• Email delivery providers for newsletters and transactional messages.

We do not sell your personal information for money.

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described, to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Account data is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter; you may request deletion at any time.

We operate globally and may process data in countries other than your own. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) for cross-border transfers.

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access, correct, or delete your personal information.
• Object to or restrict certain processing, and withdraw consent.
• Request portability of your data.
• Opt out of marketing communications and, where applicable, targeted advertising or "sale/share" of data (CCPA/CPRA).
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below. We will not discriminate against you for exercising them.

The Services are not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will delete it.

We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal data. No method of transmission or storage is fully secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be indicated by updating the "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, additional notice.

For privacy questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at privacy@theafricanmail.com or via our contact page.