- 1. Introduction
- 2. Information We Collect
- 3. How We Collect Information
- 4. How We Use Your Information
- 5. Sharing Your Information
- 6. Data Security
- 7. Your Rights and Choices
- 8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
- 9. Children's Privacy
- 10. International Data Transfers
- 11. Retention of Information
- 12. Third-Party Links
- 13. Contact Us
Privacy Policy for African Cultural Fashion Heritage Academy
Last Updated: August 10, 2025
1. Introduction
African Cultural Fashion Heritage Academy ("we," "us," "our," or "the Academy") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (acfhacademy.org/ or any related subdomains), enroll in our programs, participate in our events, or interact with us in any other way (collectively, "Services").
By using our Services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not access or use our Services.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date above. Your continued use of our Services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our Services, including students, faculty, staff, visitors, donors, and partners.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be linked to you (“Personal Information”). The types of Personal Information we may collect include:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, postal address, phone number.
- Demographic Information: Age, gender, nationality, ethnicity (where relevant to our cultural programs and with your consent).
- Educational and Professional Information: Academic history, qualifications, work experience, references (for enrollment or employment purposes).
- Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely via third-party payment processors).
- Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time and date of visits, referring/exit pages.
- User-Generated Content: Photos, videos, essays, or other submissions related to African cultural fashion heritage that you provide.
- Health or Sensitive Information: Only if necessary for accommodations (e.g., disabilities), and only with explicit consent.
- Other Information: Any additional data you voluntarily provide, such as feedback, survey responses, or inquiries.
We do not collect sensitive information (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs) unless it is directly relevant to our mission of preserving African cultural fashion heritage and you provide explicit consent.
3. How We Collect Information
We collect information through various methods:
- Directly from You: When you fill out forms on our website (e.g., enrollment applications, newsletter sign-ups), register for events, make donations, or contact us via email or phone.
- Automatically: Through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies when you interact with our website. This includes tracking your navigation patterns to improve user experience.
- From Third Parties: From partners, such as educational institutions, event organizers, or social media platforms (if you link your accounts), or from public sources.
- Offline: During in-person events, workshops, or academy programs where you provide information via paper forms or verbal communication.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your Personal Information for the following purposes:
- To provide and improve our Services, such as processing enrollments, delivering courses, and managing events.
- To communicate with you, including sending newsletters, updates, promotional materials, or responses to inquiries.
- To process payments and donations.
- To personalize your experience, such as recommending relevant programs based on your interests in African cultural fashion.
- To conduct research and analysis to enhance our educational offerings and preserve cultural heritage.
- To comply with legal obligations, such as reporting to regulatory bodies or responding to lawful requests.
- To ensure security and prevent fraud, including monitoring for unauthorized access.
- For marketing purposes, with your consent, to promote our academy and related initiatives.
We will only use your information for the purposes for which it was collected or compatible purposes, unless we obtain your consent for new uses.
5. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell your Personal Information. We may share it in the following circumstances:
- With Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist us with operations, such as payment processors, email service providers, IT support, or analytics tools. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the services they provide.
- With Partners: Educational or cultural organizations collaborating on programs, with your consent where required.
- For Legal Reasons: If required by law, subpoena, court order, or to protect our rights, safety, or property.
- In Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
- With Your Consent: For any other purpose disclosed at the time of collection or with your explicit approval.
We ensure that any third parties receiving your information adhere to appropriate data protection standards.
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your Personal Information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. These measures include encryption, firewalls, access controls, and regular security audits.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location and applicable laws (e.g., GDPR for EU residents or similar African data protection regulations), you may have the following rights regarding your Personal Information:
- Access: Request details about the information we hold about you.
- Correction: Update or correct inaccurate data.
- Deletion: Request erasure of your data, subject to legal exceptions.
- Objection/Restriction: Object to or restrict certain processing activities.
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for processing where it is the legal basis.
- Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time via the “unsubscribe” link in emails or by contacting us.
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@acfhacademy.org We will respond within a reasonable timeframe (typically 30 days) and may require verification of your identity.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content. Cookies are small data files stored on your device.
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for website operation.
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand user behavior (e.g., via Google Analytics).
- Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted advertising.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit website functionality. For more details, see our Cookie Policy (linked on our website).
9. Children's Privacy
Our Services are not intended for children under 13 years of age (or 16 in some jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children without verifiable parental consent. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided us with information should contact us immediately.
10. International Data Transfers
The Academy is based in [Insert Country, e.g., Kenya/South Africa], but we may transfer data to other countries for processing or storage. We ensure such transfers comply with applicable laws, using mechanisms like standard contractual clauses or adequacy decisions.
11. Retention of Information
We retain your Personal Information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce agreements. For example, enrollment data may be kept for the duration of your program plus a reasonable period thereafter. When no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize the data.
12. Third-Party Links
Our Services may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their policies before providing information.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer at:
African Cultural Fashion Heritage Academy
1177 Annapolis Rd, unit 91, Odenton MD 21113
Email:privacy@acfhacademy.org Phone: [202-629-7316]
We value your privacy and are here to address any concerns.