Privacy Policy
Your privacy is our priority. Learn how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with GDPR and UK data protection laws.
Table of Contents
1Policy Overview
Your privacy is fundamental to our mission. This policy explains how CCGM collects, uses, and protects your personal information in full compliance with GDPR and UK data protection laws.
The Cameroonian Community of Greater Manchester (CCGM) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information when you use our website, voting platform, and community services.
This policy applies to all CCGM services, including our website, online voting system, member portal, and any other digital services we provide.
2Data Collection
2.1 Information You Provide
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us:
- Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth
- Membership Details: Connection to Cameroon, address, emergency contacts
- Voting Data: Encrypted voting choices and participation records
- Communication: Messages, feedback, and support requests
- Event Participation: Event registrations and attendance records
2.2 Information We Collect Automatically
When you use our services, we automatically collect certain technical information:
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, feature usage
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
- Security Logs: Login attempts, security events for platform protection
- Performance Data: Error logs and performance metrics for service improvement
2.3 Special Categories of Data
Sensitive Data Protection:
We may process special category data (such as ethnicity for community eligibility) only with your explicit consent and for legitimate community purposes.
3How We Use Your Data
We use your personal information for the following purposes, based on legitimate interests, contractual necessity, or your consent:
🗳️ Democratic Participation
- Facilitating secure and anonymous voting
- Verifying voting eligibility and preventing fraud
- Providing election results and transparency reports
👥 Community Services
- Managing your membership and account
- Organizing community events and activities
- Providing support and assistance services
📧 Communication
- Sending important community updates and newsletters
- Notifying you about elections and voting opportunities
- Responding to your inquiries and support requests
🔒 Security & Compliance
- Protecting against fraud, abuse, and security threats
- Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
- Maintaining audit trails for election integrity
4Data Sharing
We never sell your personal data. We only share information when necessary for legitimate purposes or with your explicit consent.
4.1 When We Share Data
- Service Providers: Trusted third parties who help us operate our platform (hosting, payment processing, email services)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
- Safety & Security: To protect the rights, property, or safety of CCGM, our members, or others
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (with proper notice)
4.2 Data Protection Measures
All third parties with access to your data are contractually bound to maintain the same level of data protection as CCGM, including GDPR compliance where applicable.
5Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
| Data Type | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Account Information | Until account deletion + 1 year | Member services and compliance |
| Voting Records | 7 years (anonymized) | Election audit and legal requirements |
| Communications | 3 years | Support and community management |
| Security Logs | 2 years | Security monitoring and compliance |
6Your Rights
Under GDPR and UK data protection law, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
📖 Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
✏️ Right to Rectification
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
🗑️ Right to Erasure
Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
⏸️ Right to Restrict Processing
Request limitation of how we process your data
📱 Right to Portability
Request transfer of your data to another organization
❌ Right to Object
Object to processing based on legitimate interests
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer at privacy@ccgm.org
We will respond to your request within 30 days. Some rights may have limitations based on legal requirements or the nature of our services.
7Data Security
Bank-level security: We employ industry-leading security measures to protect your personal information and voting data.
7.1 Technical Safeguards
- Encryption: AES-256 encryption for data at rest and TLS 1.3 for data in transit
- Authentication: Multi-factor authentication and secure password requirements
- Access Controls: Role-based access with principle of least privilege
- Monitoring: 24/7 security monitoring and intrusion detection
- Backup: Encrypted, regular backups with secure recovery procedures
7.2 Organizational Measures
- Staff Training: Regular security and privacy training for all personnel
- Data Processing Agreements: Strict contracts with all service providers
- Incident Response: Comprehensive breach response and notification procedures
- Regular Audits: Independent security assessments and penetration testing
9International Transfers
Your personal data is primarily stored and processed within the UK and European Economic Area (EEA). When we transfer data outside these regions, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including adequacy decisions, Standard Contractual Clauses, or other approved transfer mechanisms.
10Children's Privacy
Our voting platform is intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 for voting purposes. Community services may be available to younger members with appropriate parental consent and supervision.
11Policy Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes via email and platform notifications, and the updated policy will be posted on our website with the revision date.
12Contact Information
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your data rights, please contact us:
Data Protection Officer
Email: privacy@ccgm.org
Address: CCGM Data Protection Officer
Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Response Time: Within 30 days
Supervisory Authority
UK: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Website: ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
You have the right to lodge a complaint with the ICO if you believe we have not handled your data properly.