The ISS is committed to internet privacy and would like visitors to be well informed about the gathering and use of their information through these websites.

The following forms essential parts of the ISS’s privacy policy:

• Monitoring of general trends in the use of the websites but no tracking of individual visitors
• No collection of information concerning visitors unless that information is voluntarily disclosed, for example by signing up as a member, subscriber, participant or similar, or subscribing to updates from the website
• No selling or renting of information voluntarily disclosed to the ISS nor sharing of it with any third parties
• Individuals and partners will only be contacted by the ISS for purposes related to the work of the organisation
• At any time, visitors signed up for specific services can cancel or modify their information
• This privacy policy is incorporated into the websites’ terms of use. Any person that uses the websites or registers on the websites acknowledges that he or she has read and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the terms of use and privacy policy. Any visitor that uses or accesses the websites agrees and consents to the collection of personal information in the manner outlined in this privacy policy.

1. Data collection

The websites collect two categories of information: 

• General information:The websites automatically collect non-personally identifiable information using the websites’ cookies to monitor visitor usage patterns and information. The only information the websites collect from a normal visit is the IP address, domain name, browser and type of machine used, referring websites, downloaded files, requested pages and time and date of those requests using Google Analytics website tracking cookies (Google privacy policy).
• Personal information:In order to access certain features, visitors may be asked to submit information such as their name and e-mail address. This information is only collected where provided on a voluntary basis through the completion of one of ISS’ forms by the visitor and is kept in databases and mailing lists. The mailing list is managed by Benchmark Email and is subject to the Benchmark Internet Group security and privacy policy as well as the Benchmark Internet Group anti-spam policy under the rules of the CAN-SPAM Act.

2. Use of Information

The ISS analyses browsing patterns and usage trends of the websites’ visitors with the general information collected. The ISS periodically summarises and analyses these log files to learn how visitors use content on the website. This information is used to allocate resources effectively and improve the content, organisation and performance of ISS websites. This process does not collect, store or use personally-identifying information such as name, address, telephone number or email address.

3. Use of cookies

A cookie is a small piece of information that a web server asks a visitor’s browser to store on the visitor’s local computer; later their browser presents this information to the web server. In its simplest form, a cookie is an identifying number.

The ISS websites use cookies from Google Analytics for website usage tracking. All requests for pages are tagged with a unique numerical ID, and by analysing log files via Google Analytics, the ISS can determine how many unique visitors used the website, the navigation route and content viewed across websites.

The ISS does not know the identity of a person based on the numerical ID. The cookies used on the websites do not contain any personal information about visitors nor are they used to look up personal information about visitors, even if visitors have entered information about themselves in one of ISS’ registration forms.

Additional cookies may be used from time to time to, inter alia, monitor new visitors to the websites, promote specific content and create call to action campaigns.

4. Security

Any information provided to the ISS by visitors of the websites is handled with due care and security, and will not be used in ways other than as set forth in this policy, or in any site/area-specific policies, or in ways to which visitors have not explicitly consented.

The ISS employs a range of technologies and security measures to protect the information maintained on ISS systems from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure, alteration or destruction. When visitors submit sensitive information via the websites, such information is encrypted and protected with SSL encryption.

All ISS employees who have access to and are associated with the processing of personal data are obliged to respect the confidentiality of official business matters, including personal data.

5. Retention of personal information

The ISS will retain visitors’ personal information for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

6. Electronic mail

When a visitor sends the ISS personal identifying information via email (that is, in a message containing a question or a comment, or by filling out a form that emails the ISS this information), the ISS uses it to respond to visitors’ requests.

The ISS may forward visitors email to other employees of the ISS (including affiliates or consultants) who are better able to answer visitors’ questions. The ISS does not retain or distribute lists of email addresses to any parties outside of the ISS (including partner organisations). The ISS does not distribute lists of e-mail addresses to any outside parties. Information collected via email will be retained at the ISS’ sole discretion in a directly readable form as long as necessary to complete the ISS’ response.

7. External links

The websites contain links to other websites that are not operated or maintained by the ISS and are not covered by this privacy policy. Visitors should be aware that the links on ISS’ websites are provided only for visitors’ convenience. The ISS has no control over, makes no promises or warranties of any kind with regards to, and has no responsibility or liability for, the content of any other websites or their privacy policies, their use of cookies, or the way they collect, save, store or use information. Visitors should review the privacy policy of each website they visit.

8. Agreement and notification of amendments

By using this website, a visitor signifies his/her agreement with the ISS’s privacy policy.

The ISS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change, modify, add or remove portions of this privacy policy at any time. Visitors continued use of these websites following changes to these terms means that visitors accepts those changes.

9. Applicable law and venue of jurisdiction

This privacy policy shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the substantive laws of South Africa, under the exclusion of any international treaty and under exclusion of any conflicts of laws principles. The place of jurisdiction shall be Pretoria.

10. Contact

For questions or concerns regarding the ISS’s privacy policy, please contact the ISS at webmaster@issafrica.org.