The Conversation

Privacy policy

Last updated: 1 May 2015

The Conversation Africa is committed to protecting the personal information of both our contributors and readers. We want our website to be a safe and enjoyable environment. Here we aim to help you to understand what information we might collect about you and how we use it. In this Privacy Policy, “personal information” means information or an opinion about a person whose identity is apparent, or can be reasonably ascertained, from the information or opinion.

Data protection principles

The Conversation Africa complies with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. The eight principles relating to the processing of personal information are:

  1. Fairly and lawfully processed
  2. Processed for a limited time
  3. Adequate, relevant & not excessive
  4. Accurate
  5. Not kept longer than necessary
  6. Processed in accordance with your rights
  7. Secure
  8. Not transferred to countries without adequate protection

We will always follow these principles and ask you how you would like us to communicate with you.

Collection and use of personal information

The Conversation Africa will, from time to time, collect and use personal information. The types of personal information collected and the purposes for which that personal information will be used will depend on the circumstances. For example, The Conversation Africa may collect personal information when you:

  • Sign up as a contributor to or create a profile on The Conversation Africa
  • Join a conversation or comment on someone else's article or contribution to The Conversation Africa
  • Participate in a survey or provide feedback to The Conversation Africa

Disclosure of personal information

If you sign up as a contributor to The Conversation Africa, we will publish your contributor profile, which may include personal information, on The Conversation Africa.

If you join a conversation or comment on someone else's article or contribution, The Conversation Africa will publish your post, which may include personal information, on The Conversation Africa, such as your name and position. Other than these situations, The Conversation Africa will not disclose your personal information to third parties except:

  1. To third parties which assist the operation of The Conversation Africa (in which case we require these contractors to keep that personal information confidential and not to use or disclose it for any purpose other than the purpose of performing those services)
  2. In exceptional circumstances, The Conversation Africa may be required or authorised by law to disclose personal information, for example to law enforcement authorities or to prevent a serious threat to public safety
  3. With your consent

Handling of personal information

The Conversation Africa will take all reasonable steps to protect all personal information held by it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.

Accessing your personal information

Any person may seek access to personal information, which The Conversation Africa holds about that person and we will provide access to that information upon request. There are certain exemptions, which may apply to the provision of that information. We may require that the person requesting access provide suitable identification and we may charge an administration fee for granting access to information. Requests to access personal information held by The Conversation Africa should be addressed to africa-privacy@theconversation.com.