Privacy Policy

Introduction

AfriContest ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information provided by users ("you" or "your") of our talent-mining platform accessible at www.africontest.com (the "Platform"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other international privacy regulations.

By accessing or using the AfriContest Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Identification Information

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Physical address
• Date of birth (for age verification purposes)
• Country of residence

1.2 Account Information

• Username and password (passwords are encrypted and never stored in plain text)
• Profile photograph (optional)
• Biographical information (optional)
• Educational background (optional)

1.3 Payment Information

1.4 Contest Participation Data

We collect information related to your contest participation including contest entries and submissions (text, metadata), contest results and rankings, prize winnings and withdrawal history, and entry fees paid.

Important: We DO NOT permanently store contest submission files (photos, videos, essays, code files) on our servers. Submissions are processed for contest evaluation purposes only and are deleted after contest conclusion.

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Contest Administration

• To create and manage your user account
• To process contest entries and evaluate submissions
• To determine contest winners and distribute prizes
• To verify eligibility and prevent fraudulent participation

2.2 Payment Processing

• To process wallet funding transactions
• To facilitate prize withdrawals to winners
• To maintain transaction records for accounting purposes

2.3 Communication

• To send transactional emails (account verification, password resets, contest updates)
• To send marketing communications (with your consent)
• To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We respect your privacy and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We share your information only with:

3.1 Service Providers

• Payment Processors: Receive payment transaction details necessary to process wallet funding and prize withdrawals
• Email Service Provider: Receives your email address and name to send transactional and marketing emails
• Google Analytics: Receives anonymized usage data to help us understand Platform performance

3.2 Contest Sponsors

We DO NOT share your personal information with contest sponsors or partners. Sponsors receive only aggregate, anonymized statistics about contest participation.

4. Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained as long as your account remains active
• Contest submission files: Deleted after contest conclusion
• Prize distribution records: Retained for 7 years for financial compliance
• Deleted Accounts: Personal information permanently deleted within 30 days

5. Your Rights and Choices

You have significant control over your personal information:

• Access and Correction: Access and update your personal information through account settings
• Account Deletion: Request deletion of your account at any time
• Marketing Communications: Opt out by clicking "Unsubscribe" in any marketing email
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent at any time by contacting us
• Complaints: Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

6. Special Provisions for Minors

Participants under the age of 18 ("Minors") require verifiable parental or legal guardian consent before registration. Parents/guardians have the right to review, correct, or delete their child's personal information at any time.

7. Data Security

• Encryption in transit (TLS/SSL)
• Encryption at rest for sensitive data
• Password hashing using industry-standard algorithms
• Secure payment processing through PCI DSS-compliant processors
• Regular security assessments and audits
• Access controls for authorized personnel only

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use only essential cookies for Platform functionality and Google Analytics for anonymized usage statistics. We do NOT use advertising or tracking cookies. See our Cookie Policy for details.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date, notify you via email, and display a prominent notice on the Platform.