1. Introduction

Welcome to Digital Social Kenya (“we”, “us”, “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal data when you access or use our website and any related digital services. We are committed to ensuring the security and confidentiality of your information. By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. Scope and Definitions

2.1. Scope

This policy applies to all users of our website, mobile applications, and any other digital interfaces (collectively, the “Services”) provided by Digital Social Kenya.

2.2. Key Definitions

• Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, such as your name, email, phone number, and other contact information.
• Technical Data: Data automatically collected from your devices, including IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and cookie data.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our Services, including pages visited, time spent, clicks, and other analytics data.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Small data files and similar technologies used to track and enhance your experience on our website.

3. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide you with a smooth and personalized experience. This includes:

3.1. Personal Data

• Contact Information: Name, email address, telephone number, postal address, and other similar contact details.
• Account Information: Username, password, and any other details you provide during registration or profile creation.
• Communication Data: Content of your messages, emails, or other communications with us.

3.2. Technical Data

• Device and Browser Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, and other technical identifiers.
• Log Data: Information automatically recorded by our server such as access times, pages viewed, and error logs.

3.3. Usage Data

• Interaction Data: Details about your interaction with our Services, including navigation patterns, pages visited, time spent on pages, and click-through data.
• Preferences and Settings: Information regarding your preferences and settings on our website.

3.4. Marketing and Communication Data

• Subscription Data: Information provided when you sign up for newsletters or marketing communications.
• Feedback and Survey Data: Any information you provide through surveys, feedback forms, or other interactive features.

4. How We Collect Information

We use multiple methods to gather data from and about you:

4.1. Direct Interactions

• Registration and Forms: Information you provide when you register, fill out forms, or otherwise engage with our Services.
• Customer Support: Data collected when you contact us for support or inquiries.

4.2. Automated Technologies

• Cookies and Web Beacons: We use cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies to track user activity and store information about your preferences.
• Server Logs and Analytics Tools: Automated systems that log technical and usage data when you interact with our website.

4.3. Third-Party Sources

• Social Media and External Platforms: Data received from social media networks if you connect or engage via these platforms.
• Advertising and Analytics Partners: Information obtained from third-party service providers for analytical and marketing purposes.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you have provided your explicit consent.
• Contractual Necessity: When processing is necessary to fulfill a contract or service you have requested.
• Legal Obligation: When required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.
• Legitimate Interests: When processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided that these interests do not override your fundamental rights and freedoms.

6. How We Use Your Information

Your data is used for a variety of purposes, including:

6.1. Provision and Operation of Services

• Account Management: To create, manage, and support your account.
• Service Delivery: To process your requests and provide customer support.

6.2. Communication

• Updates and Notifications: To send you important updates, newsletters, and information related to our Services.
• Promotional Communications: To inform you about new features, products, or services that may be of interest (subject to your consent where required).

6.3. Analysis and Improvement

• Usage Analytics: To analyze trends, monitor usage patterns, and improve our website performance.
• User Experience: To customize and enhance your experience based on your interactions with our Services.

6.4. Marketing and Advertising

• Targeted Marketing: With your explicit consent, to send marketing materials tailored to your interests.
• Ad Performance: To measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.

6.5. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, such as record-keeping requirements and responding to lawful requests from public authorities.
• Security and Fraud Prevention: To protect our Services and users from fraudulent or malicious activities.

7. How We Share Your Information

We may share your personal data with third parties in the following circumstances:

7.1. Service Providers

• Vendors and Partners: Third-party companies that perform functions on our behalf, such as hosting, payment processing, data analytics, email communications, and customer support.
• Confidentiality Agreements: All such providers are required to adhere to strict confidentiality and security standards.

7.2. Business Transfers

• Mergers and Acquisitions: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the relevant third party as part of the transaction.
• Due Diligence: We ensure that any recipient of your data in such transactions is bound by similar privacy obligations.

7.3. Legal and Regulatory Requirements

• Law Enforcement and Legal Processes: When required by law, regulation, or legal process, we may disclose your personal data to the appropriate authorities.
• Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Digital Social Kenya, our users, or others.

7.4. With Your Consent

• Explicit Consent: We will share your data with third parties when you have given explicit consent to do so, such as when you choose to share your social media profile with our platform.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• Duration: Data is retained for the period required to provide you with our services, to comply with legal obligations, and to resolve disputes.
• Deletion and Anonymization: Once the retention period expires, we will either securely delete your data or anonymize it so that you are no longer identifiable.

9. Data Security

We implement robust security measures designed to safeguard your personal data. These measures include:

• Encryption: Data encryption during transmission (e.g., SSL/TLS) and at rest.
• Access Controls: Strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access your data.
• Regular Audits: Periodic reviews and updates of our security practices to address potential vulnerabilities.
• Incident Response: A documented process to handle data breaches or unauthorized access, including notifying affected users where required by law.

10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in jurisdictions outside of Kenya. When this occurs:

• Adequate Safeguards: We ensure that appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses or other legal mechanisms) are in place.
• Compliance: We maintain compliance with applicable international data protection laws and the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019.

11. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

11.1. Our Use of Cookies

• Types of Cookies: We use both session cookies (temporary) and persistent cookies (stored on your device) for various purposes, including essential functionality, performance analytics, and targeted advertising.
• Purpose: Cookies help us remember your preferences, analyze website usage, and enhance your user experience.

11.2. Managing Your Preferences

• Browser Settings: You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect certain functionalities of our website.
• Opt-Out Tools: We may provide additional tools or links to opt out of specific tracking technologies where applicable.

12. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Depending on your jurisdiction and applicable law, you may have the following rights:

12.1. Right to Access

• Access Request: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

12.2. Right to Correction

• Rectification: You have the right to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

12.3. Right to Deletion

• Erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain legal limitations.

12.4. Right to Object

• Objection: You may object to the processing of your data where we rely on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.

12.5. Right to Restrict Processing

• Restriction: You can request that we limit the processing of your data in certain circumstances.

12.6. Right to Data Portability

• Portability: You have the right to request the transfer of your personal data to another service provider.

12.7. Right to Withdraw Consent

• Withdrawal: If your data is processed based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of processing prior to your withdrawal.

Exercising Your Rights: To exercise any of these rights or if you have any questions regarding our data practices, please contact us at the details provided below. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.

13. Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not directed toward children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without appropriate parental consent. If you believe that we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately so that we can take appropriate steps to remove it.

14. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, plug-ins, and applications. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services. We recommend that you review the privacy policies of any third parties you visit to understand their data practices.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our data practices. Your continued use of our Services following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: info@digitalsocial.co.ke
• Phone: +254717900954
• Postal Address: 1644-00100
• Website Contact Page: Contact page

17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Kenya. Any disputes arising from this policy or related to our Services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Kenya.

18. Dispute Resolution and Complaints

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the way we process your personal data, please contact us using the contact details above. Should you remain unsatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Kenya.

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