What Does This Policy Cover?
- This Privacy Policy explains how U-Report Sierra Leone
collects, uses, and protects your data when you engage with our platform.
- This policy applies only to U-Report's Sierra Leone platform.
- Taking care of your information is important for U-Report. This
Privacy Policy sets out how we collect, use, and store your personal
information and the steps we take to protect it.
- Please read this Privacy Policy carefully before connecting
through any of our U-Report channels and refer to it regularly for
updates. By accessing and using U-Report, you agree to all provisions of
this Privacy Policy.
- If you are under 16 years old, we encourage you to discuss your
use and engagement with this platform with your parents or guardian and
ensure they give verbal consent to your sharing of information with us
through the U-Report platform and website.
- We remind you not to share information that could help others
identify you on any of our channels or social media, such as your full
name, physical address, school name, phone number, email address.
- Please note that any personal information you post publicly on
U-Report social media can be viewed by others. We are not responsible for
how others use such information, so please exercise caution.
As used in this Privacy Policy, "we", "us," and "our" refer to UNICEF. The terms "you", "your", "yours", and "user" refer to you as the individual accessing or using U - Report.
What Is Not Covered by This Policy?
- Personal and non-personal information captured by messaging
platforms and social media accounts you use to interact with U-Report.
Their collection, use, and processing of your information are governed by
those platforms' privacy policies. For instance, Facebook or WhatsApp may
have their own rules about how they use your data.
- Third-party sites linked to the U-Report platform are also not
covered by this Privacy Policy. We strongly encourage you to review and
ensure you are comfortable with the Terms of Use and Privacy Policies of
third-party sites and platforms before engaging with them.
How Do We Protect Your Personal
Information?
- We will not use your personal information for purposes other
than those described in this Privacy Policy.
- We do not sell your personal information.
- We only retain your personal information for as long as
necessary for the stated purposes, except as required by regulations.
- Third-party providers that host U-Report data are under
contractual obligations to protect and maintain the confidentiality of
your data.
What Kind of Information Does U-Report collect about you?
For the purpose of this Privacy Policy, "Personal Information" means any information that enables us to identify an individual, directly or indirectly, by reference to an identifier such as name, identification number, location data, online identifier or one or more factors specific to the individual.
Information You Provide During
Registration
- During registration, we may collect non-sensitive demographic
information, such as:
- District of residence
- Age
- Gender
This information helps UNICEF and partners
understand user demographics and tailor content to your needs.
Information Collected Automatically
- When you register or interact with U-Report, we automatically
collect:
- Phone numbers (if you use SMS)
- Social media IDs (if you use platforms like WhatsApp or
Facebook Messenger).
This information enables ongoing
communication, participation in polls, and delivery of relevant content. It is
stored securely and inaccessible to U-Report managers in its raw form.
We also collect and process the information you provide through U-Report channels, including:
This information will not include any personal attributes unless you include such information. Therefore, we strongly discourage you from providing any personal information when you interact with U-Report.
Website and Cookies
- We use cookies to optimize your experience. Cookies help our
website remember your preferences, such as language settings.
- You can manage cookie preferences through your browser.
How Is My Information Stored?
Your data is securely hosted on Rapid Pro servers, which meet stringent data protection standards.
Please note that your answers can also be stored in the channel you use, e.g., in a Facebook or WhatsApp conversation.
How Long Does U-Report Keep My
Information?
- We retain personal data for not longer than necessary, unless
legally required. Anonymized data may be retained for statistical
analysis.
How and Why U-Report May Share Your
Information
- We share only aggregate or non-personal data with UNICEF
partners to inform decision-making and campaigns.
- Personal data will only be shared in exceptional circumstances,
such as emergencies.
What Are My Rights as a U-Report User?
- You have the right to delete your data at any time.
- To stop using U-Report text EXIT
to 2080.
- You have the right to be informed about your rights in the use of U-Report.
- You have the right to decide whether to participate in the polls we will make available.
How Secure Is My Information?
- We use physical and electronic measures to safeguard your
information. We recommend:
- Using strong, unique passwords.
- Avoiding public Wi-Fi when engaging with U-Report.
Updates to the Privacy Policy
- The "Last Updated" date reflects the most recent
revisions.
- Last Updated: February 2025
