Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Africa Compliance News ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services, including BESC certificate processing, ECTN certification, compliance consulting, and trade documentation services.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for an account or subscribe to our newsletter
• Request a quote for BESC, ECTN, or other compliance certificates
• Upload documents such as Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, or packing lists
• Contact us for support or consulting services
• Submit forms or applications on our website
• Participate in surveys, webinars, or promotional activities

This information may include: name, company name, email address, phone number, business address, job title, shipping details, cargo information, financial information for payment processing, and any other information you choose to provide.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring URLs and pages visited
• Date and time of your visit
• Clickstream data and usage patterns

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.

2.4 Business and Trade Documentation

To process certificates and provide compliance services, we collect business documents including Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, shipping manifests, customs declarations, and other trade-related documentation.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Processing BESC, ECTN, BSC, and other compliance certificates
• Providing customs clearance and trade documentation services
• Communicating with you about your applications and services
• Sending newsletters, updates, and regulatory compliance information
• Processing payments and preventing fraud
• Improving our website, services, and user experience
• Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Analyzing usage patterns and conducting market research
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries
• Detecting and preventing security incidents and fraudulent activities

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Service Providers and Partners

We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including payment processors, shipping companies, regulatory authorities, government agencies (such as customs departments and ministries of commerce), verification and inspection companies, technology providers, and professional advisors.

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols
• Secure socket layer (SSL) technology for data transmission
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Employee training on data protection and security practices
• Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. For compliance and regulatory purposes, we may retain certain trade documentation and certificate records for a minimum of seven (7) years or as required by applicable laws and regulations.

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to your personal information we hold
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing of your information
• Portability: Request transfer of your information to another service provider
• Objection: Object to processing of your information for certain purposes
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of your country, state, or jurisdiction where data protection laws may differ. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, including countries that may not provide the same level of data protection as your home country.

We take appropriate measures to ensure that your information receives adequate protection in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable law, including the use of standard contractual clauses approved by relevant regulatory authorities.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or applications. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Regional Specific Provisions

11.1 South African Residents (POPIA)

For residents of South Africa, we comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). You have the right to file a complaint with the Information Regulator if you believe your personal information has been processed unlawfully.

11.2 European Economic Area Residents (GDPR)

For residents of the European Economic Area, we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You have additional rights under GDPR, including the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

11.3 Other African Countries

We also comply with applicable data protection laws in other African countries where we operate, including but not limited to Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, and other jurisdictions.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

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