Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Open Digital Sovereignty Initiative (ODSI). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in an open and transparent manner in accordance with our values of digital sovereignty and transparency.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or interact with our services.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information:

• Name and email address (when you contact us or submit a project)
• Organization/affiliation (optional)
• Communication preferences

Non-Personal Information:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring website
• Pages visited and time spent
• IP address (anonymized)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To maintain and improve our directory of African open source projects
• To communicate with you about your project submissions
• To send newsletters and updates (only with your consent)
• To analyze website usage and improve our services
• To comply with legal obligations

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We believe in data sovereignty and minimal data sharing:

• Project Information: Project details you submit to our directory are publicly visible to support the open source community
• Personal Contact Information: Never shared publicly without explicit consent
• Service Providers: We use minimal third-party services (hosting, analytics) with strong privacy commitments
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law

5. Data Protection and Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• SSL encryption for all data transfers
• Regular security assessments
• Limited access to personal data
• Secure hosting infrastructure

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Correct inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Object to processing of your data
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at: privacy@opendigitalsovereignty.org

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal cookies and tracking:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: We use GoatCounterfor privacy-focused analytics (see section below)
• No Advertising Cookies: We don't use advertising or tracking cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

8. GoatCounter Analytics

We use GoatCounter, an open source, privacy-first web analytics platform, to understand how visitors use our website. This choice reflects our commitment to digital sovereignty and privacy by design.

What GoatCounter Collects:

• Page views and referrer information
• Browser type and screen size
• Country/region (from anonymized IP)
• Session duration

What GoatCounter Does NOT Collect:

• Personal identification information
• Full IP addresses (only first 3 octets are stored)
• Individual user profiles
• Cross-site tracking data

Why We Chose GoatCounter:

• Open Source: The code is publicly auditable and aligns with our open source principles
• Privacy First: Designed with privacy as a core feature, not an afterthought
• Data Minimization: Collects only what's necessary for basic analytics
• No Data Selling: We don't sell data, and GoatCounter doesn't either
• Transparency: All data collection methods are documented and transparent

GoatCounter data is stored for 1 year maximum and is accessible only to ODSI administrators. The data is used solely to improve our website and understand our audience.

To learn more about GoatCounter's privacy features, visit: goatcounter.com/help/privacy

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

10. International Data Transfers

As an African-focused initiative with international engagement, your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence. We ensure such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page with an updated effective date.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

Email: privacy@opendigitalsovereignty.org

Address: Open Digital Sovereignty Initiative, Gambia Office, The Gambia