Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF USE FOR CONGOSTORIES.ORG

  1. Privacy Policy

The “Congo Stories” book website is owned and operated by Not On Our Watch (“NOOW”). Not On Our Watch and its project The Sentry are committed to protecting the privacy and security of visitors to this website. Below is the online privacy policy for information collected through the CongoStories.org website and through email lists and solicitations for The Sentry and its partner the Enough Project. NOOW, The Sentry, and the Enough Project operate other websites and email lists that are governed by their own respective privacy policies.

NOOW expects that it may need to revise this privacy policy as it develops the features of the website. NOOW will make reasonable efforts to inform users of any changes, but the spirit of this policy will be maintained. Use of this website is not restricted to registered users, and we expect to provide a robust experience to all users. If you have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to email us at: info@thesentry.org.

You can also contact us via US Mail at:

The Sentry / NOOW
1420 K Street, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005

Last Updated: December 4, 2018

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes and governs the information collection, use, and sharing practices of The Sentry and Not On Our Watch (“NOOW,” “we,” “us,” and “our”), headquartered at 1420 K Street NW Suite 200, Washington DC, with respect to both your use of the NOOW website at www.newventurefund.org and any other services that reference this Policy (collectively, the “Services”). For individuals in the European Economic Area (“EEA”), NOOW is considered to be the “controller” of your personal data.

Before you use or submit any information through or in connection with the Services, please carefully review this Policy. By using any part of the Services, regardless of how you access the Services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as further outlined in this Policy. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THIS POLICY, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SERVICES. We will continue to evaluate this Policy as we update and expand the Services and our offerings, and we may make changes to the Policy accordingly. Any changes will be posted here and you should check this page periodically for updates. If we make material changes to this Policy, we will provide you with notice as required by law. Your continued use of the Services will signify acceptance of the terms of the updated Policy.

Undefined capitalized terms used herein shall have the definitions as set forth in our Terms of Use.

  1. Information We Collect

We collect information in multiple ways, including when you provide information directly to us, and when we passively collect information from you, such as from your browser or device.

  1. Information You Provide Directly to Us

We may collect information from you in a variety of ways, such as when you:

  • Contact us through our website;
  • Become a client; or
  • Otherwise communicate with us, such as via email.

We will collect any information that you provide to us, which may include, but is not limited to: (i) name; (ii) email address; (iii) mailing address; (iv) phone number; (v) workplace information; and (vi) financial information to facilitate your donations and investments.

You do not have a statutory or contractual obligation to provide us with your information through our site; however, certain information may be required in order to enter into a contract with us.

  1. User-Generated Content

You may be able to upload comments, photographs, or other content, and related information, such as your name or email address (collectively, “User Content”). User Content may be publicly available, and we cannot limit how others may use such User Content. By contributing User Consent, you agree that you are at least 18 years old; own, control, or otherwise have the rights to such User Content; and your User Content does not infringe or violate the rights of any third parties. You hereby grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, transferable, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, sell, assign, translate, create derivative works from, distribute and display any User Content in whole or in part, as well as your name and other identifying information, including without limitation any social media identifier, handle, profile picture, image, likeness, posts, statements or other information available or provided by you, in any form, media, or technology, whether now known or hereafter developed in connection with the NOOW marketing, advertising and promotional activities referred to above.

  1. Information that Is Passively or Automatically Collected
  2. Device/Usage Information

We may automatically collect certain information about the computer or devices (including mobile devices or tablets) you use to access the Services. As described further below, we may collect and analyze information such as (a) IP addresses, location information, unique device identifiers, IMEI and TCP/IP address, and other information about your computer or device(s), browser types, browser language, operating system, mobile device carrier information, the state or country from which you accessed the Services; and (b) information related to the ways in which you interact with the Services, such as: referring and exit web pages and URLs, platform type, the number of clicks, domain names, landing pages, pages and content viewed and the order of those pages, statistical information about the use of the Services, the amount of time spent on particular pages, the date and time you used the Services, the frequency of your use of the Services, error logs, and other similar information. As described further below, we may use third-party analytics providers and technologies, including cookies and similar tools, to assist in collecting this information.

  1. Cookies and Other Electronic Technologies

We may also collect data about your use of the Services through the use of Internet server logs, cookies and/or tracking pixels. A web server log is a file where website activity is stored. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your computer when you visit a website, that enables us to: (a) recognize your computer; (b) store your preferences and settings; (c) understand the web pages of the Services you have visited; (d), enhance your user experience by delivering content and advertisements specific to your inferred interests; (e) perform searches and analytics; and (f) assist with security administrative functions. Some cookies are placed in your browser cache while those associated with Flash technologies are stored with your Adobe Flash Player files. Tracking pixels (sometimes referred to as web beacons or clear GIFs) are tiny electronic tags with a unique identifier embedded in websites, online ads and/or email, and that are designed to provide usage information like ad impressions or clicks, measure popularity of the Services and associated advertising, and to access user cookies. We also may include Web beacons in email messages, newsletters and other electronic communications to determine whether the message has been opened and for other analytics, personalization and advertising. As we adopt additional technologies, we may also gather additional information through other methods.

Please note that you can change your settings to notify you when a cookie is being set or updated, or to block cookies altogether. Please consult the “Help” section of your browser for more information (e.g., Internet Explorer; Microsoft Edge; Google Chrome; Mozilla Firefox; or Apple Safari). You can also manage the use of Flash technologies, including cookies and local storage objects with the Flash management tools available at Adobe’s website. Please note that by blocking any or all cookies, you may not have access to certain features or offerings of the Services.

 

  1. Information from Social Networking Sites and Other Third Parties

Social networking sites, such as Facebook, have their own policies for handling your information. For a description of how these sites may use and disclose your information, including any information you make public, please consult the sites’ privacy policies. We have no control over how any third-party site uses or discloses the personal information it collects about you.

We may also collect information about you or others through non-affiliated third parties. For example, to the extent permitted by law, we may, in our sole discretion, ask for and collect supplemental information from third parties, such as information about your organization’s history, information to verify your identity or trustworthiness, or for other fraud or safety protection purposes. We may combine information that we collect from you through the Services with information that we obtain from such third parties and information derived from any other products or services we provide.

  1. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect from and about you for the following purposes:

  • For the purposes for which you provided it;
  • To recognize and authenticate you on the Services;
  • To initiate or to provide the features, services and products available through the Services;
  • To send you information about your relationship or transactions with us, account alerts, or other communications, such as newsletters to which you have subscribed;
  • To contact you with information or surveys that we believe may be of interest to you both regarding our products and Services and those of third parties;
  • To process and respond to your inquiries or to request your feedback;
  • For internal research and reporting;
  • To improve the content and features of the Services or develop new Services;
  • For internal recruiting purposes;
  • With your consent, to call or send you SMS messages regarding your relationship with us or offers or services that may interest you;
  • To enforce the legal terms that govern your use of the Services; and
  • To administer and troubleshoot the Services.

Please note that we may combine information that we collect from you and about you (including automatically-collected information) with information we obtain about you from our affiliates and/or non-affiliated third parties, and use such combined information in accordance with this Policy.

We may aggregate and/or de-identify information collected through the Services. We may use de-identified and/or aggregated data for any purpose, including without limitation for research and marketing purposes, and may also share such data with any third parties, including advertisers, promotional partners, and/or others.

  1. When We Disclose Your Information

We may disclose and/or share your information to or with any non-affiliated third parties under the following circumstances:

  • We may disclose your information to any third parties based on your consent to do so.
  • Service Providers. We may provide access to or share your information with select third parties who perform services on our behalf, including without limitation marketing, market research, customer support, data storage, analysis and processing, and legal services.
  • Protection of NOOW and Others. You acknowledge, consent, and agree that NOOW may access, preserve, and disclose your information you submit or make available for inclusion on the Services, if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such access, preservation, or disclosure is permitted by this Policy or reasonably necessary or appropriate for any of the following reasons: (a) to comply with legal process; (b) to enforce this Policy or other contracts with you, including investigation of potential violations thereof; (c) to respond to claims that any content violates the rights of third parties; (d) to respond to your requests for customer service; and/or (e) to protect the rights, property, or personal safety of NOOW, its agents and affiliates, its users, and the public. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection, and spam/malware prevention, and similar purposes.
  • Organizational Transfers. As we continue to develop our organization, we may acquire, merge or partner with other organizations. In such transactions, (including in contemplation of such transactions, e.g., due diligence) user information may be among the transferred assets. If any of NOOW’s assets are sold or transferred to a third party, customer information (including your email address) would likely be one of the transferred business assets.
  • Other Nonprofits. We may share, rent, exchange, or sell our mailing list to other nonprofit organizations as a way of raising extra money to support NOOW, including so that those other nonprofits may send you promotional emails. Where required by applicable law, we will obtain your consent prior to doing so. Please see Section 7 below for more information about how to opt out of this sharing.
  1. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

The laws in some jurisdictions require companies to tell you about the legal ground they rely on to use or disclose your personal data. To the extent those laws apply, our legal grounds for processing your personal data are as follows:

  • To Honor Our Contractual Commitments to You. Much of our processing of personal data is to meet our contractual obligations to our clients, or to take steps at clients’ request in anticipation of entering into a contract with them.
  • Legitimate Interests. In many cases, we handle personal data on the ground that it furthers our legitimate interests in commercial activities such as the following in ways that are not overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the affected individuals:
  • Customer service
  • Marketing
  • Protecting our customers, personnel and property
  • Analyzing and improving our business
  • Managing legal issuesWe may also process personal data for the same legitimate interests of our clients and business partners.

 

  • Legal Compliance. We need to use and disclose personal data in certain ways to comply with our legal obligations.
  • Where required by law, and in some other cases, we handle personal data on the basis of consent. Where we handle your personal data on the basis of consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent.
  1. Online Analytics

We may use third-party web analytics services (such as those of Google Analytics) on our Services to collect and analyze the information discussed above, and to engage in auditing, research or reporting. The information (including your IP address) collected by various analytics technologies described in the “Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies” section will be disclosed to or collected directly by these service providers, who use the information to evaluate your use of the Services, including by noting the third-party website from which you arrive, analyzing usage trends, assisting with fraud prevention, and providing certain features to you. To prevent Google Analytics from using your information for analytics, you may install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on by clicking here.

If you receive email from us, we may use certain analytics tools, such as clear GIFs, to capture data such as when you open our message or click on any links or banners our email contains. This data allows us to gauge the effectiveness of our communications and marketing campaigns.

  1. Notice Concerning Do-Not-Track Signals

Do Not Track (“DNT”) is a privacy preference that users can set in certain web browsers. We do not recognize or respond to browser-initiated DNT signals, as the Internet industry is currently still working toward defining exactly what DNT means, what it means to comply with DNT, and a common approach to responding to DNT. You can learn more about Do Not Track here.

  1. Your Choices and Rights

All users can review and update certain user information by emailing us at info@thesentry.org. You can unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link they contain. You can also opt out of our sharing of your mailing information with other nonprofits by emailing us at info@thesentry.org and describing your request.

Individuals in the European Economic Area and many other jurisdictions have certain legal rights to obtain confirmation of whether we hold personal data about them, to access personal data we hold about them, and to obtain its correction, update, amendment, or deletion in appropriate circumstances. You may also have rights to object to our handling of your personal data, restrict our processing of your personal data, and to withdraw any consent you have provided. To exercise these rights, you please email us at info@thesentry.org with the nature of your request. While we strongly encourage you to first raise any questions or concerns about your personal data with us, you also have a right to contact the relevant supervisory authority.

Many of the rights described here are subject to significant limitations and exceptions under applicable law (e.g., objections to the processing of personal data, and withdrawals of consent, typically will not have retroactive effect).

  1. Transfer

Our computer systems are currently based in the United States, and your personal data will be processed in the United States, which may not offer the same level of protection as the privacy laws of your jurisdiction.

  1. Children’s Privacy

The Services are intended for general audiences and not for children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information (as defined by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) from children under the age of 13, we will take reasonable steps to delete it as soon as practicable.

  1. Security

We have implemented administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, and/or alteration of your information. These safeguards vary based on the sensitivity of the information that we collect and store. However, we cannot and do not guarantee that these measures will prevent every unauthorized attempt to access, use, or disclose your information since despite our efforts, no Internet and/or other electronic transmissions can be completely secure.

  1. Data Retention

We will hold your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes set forth in this Policy or as long as we are legally required or permitted to do so. Information may persist in copies made for backup and business continuity purposes for additional time.

  1. Third-Party Links and Services

The Services may contain links to or “frame” third-party websites, applications, and other services. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites and services. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Services and to read the privacy statements of each and every site they visit that collects their information.

  1. Your California Privacy Rights

California Law permits visitors who are California residents to request certain information once per year regarding our disclosure of “personal information” (as that term is defined under applicable California law) to third parties for such third parties’ direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please send an email to info@thesentry.org with “CongoStories.org” in the subject line or write to us at:

The Sentry / NOOW
1420K Street NW
Suite 200
Washington DC 20005

  1. Questions About this Policy

If you have any questions about our Policy, you can contact us by emailing us at info@thesentry.org.

 

 

II. Terms of Use

THESE TERMS OF USE DESCRIBE YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN USING CONGOSTORIES.ORG. PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY.

Last updated: November 16, 2018

 

Acceptance of Terms

CongoStories.org, including all site-related content and services (collectively, “CongoStories.org”) is provided by Not On Our Watch (“NOOW,” “we,” “us”). Your use of CongoStories.org is subject to your compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Terms of Use agreement (”Terms of Use”), which supplement any additional guidelines or other terms posted by NOOW in relation to specific site-related services or content. Although you can access and read portions of CongoStories.org just by visiting the site, you must sign up to use certain features—such as receiving newsletters for .

Please note that we reserve the right to update or modify the Terms of Use without advance notice by posting a revised Terms of Use to this website. Visitors to CongoStories.org (“you”) can determine whether the Terms of Use has been modified since your last visit by checking the “Last updated” legend posted at the top of the Terms of Use. By using CongoStories.org, you agree to be bound by the version of the Terms of Use then in effect. If at any point you no longer agree to the Terms of Use, please discontinue your use of CongoStories.org. NOOW may deny service to you at any time, including in the event you do not adhere to the Terms of Use.

NOOW’s Proprietary Rights and Re-Use Policy

You acknowledge and agree that the information and materials presented on or through CongoStories.org will remain the property of NOOW and its licensors or providers, and are protected by copyright, trademark, patent, and/or other proprietary rights and related laws, rules and regulations. The materials produced by or for NOOW (including photographs, graphics, video and audio content) are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. All individual articles, content, and other elements comprising this compilation and produced by or for NOOW are also copyrighted works. You agree to abide by all additional copyright notices or restrictions contained in any materials produced by or for NOOW.

The trademarks, service marks, logos and trade names displayed on CongoStories.org (collectively the “Marks”) are the registered and unregistered trademarks of NOOW, NOOW’s licensors and suppliers, and others. All Marks on CongoStories.org not owned by NOOW are the property of their respective owners. The Marks owned by NOOW, whether registered or unregistered, may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not NOOW’s.

 

Links

CongoStories.org provides links to other websites and resources. Because NOOW has no control over these sites and resources, you acknowledge and agree that NOOW does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. NOOW is providing these links to you only as a convenience. NOOW has the right but not the obligation to block links from or to CongoStories.org at any time.

Claims of Copyright Infringement

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (the “DMCA”) provides recourse for copyright owners who believe that material appearing on the Internet infringes their rights under U.S. copyright law. If you believe in good faith that materials hosted by NOOW infringe your copyright, you (or your agent) may send us a notice requesting that the material be removed, or access to it blocked. Notices and counter-notices must meet the then-current statutory requirements imposed by the DMCA; see http://www.loc.gov/copyright/ for details. Notices and counter-notices with respect to CongoStories.org should be sent to:

By Mail:

The Sentry / NOOW
1420 K Street, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005

 

Jurisdictional Issues

CongoStories.org is controlled and operated by NOOW from its principal office in the District of Columbia, U.S.A., and is not intended to subject NOOW to the laws or jurisdiction of any other state, country or territory. Those who choose to access CongoStories.org do so on their own initiative and at their own risk, and are solely responsible for complying with all local laws, rules, and regulations.

Termination

You agree that NOOW, in its sole discretion, may terminate your use of CongoStories.org or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason, including if NOOW believes that you have violated or acted inconsistently with the spirit of the Terms of Use. Further, you agree that NOOW will not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access to CongoStories.org.

Disclaimers

CongoStories.org is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied or statutory. You agree that you must evaluate and bear all risks associated with the use of CongoStories.org, and any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness thereof, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, NOOW disclaims all warranties with respect to CongoStories.org.

CongoStories.org may include inadvertent inaccuracies or errors, or information or materials that violate the Terms of Use. Additionally, the possibility exists that a third party could make unauthorized alterations to CongoStories.org content or features. Although we attempt to ensure the integrity of CongoStories.org, we make no guarantees as to its completeness or correctness. In the event that a situation arises in which CongoStories.org’s completeness or correctness is in question, please contact us with, if possible, a description of the material to be checked and the location (URL) where such material can be found on CongoStories.org, as well as information sufficient to enable us to contact you.

Limitation of Liability

Neither NOOW nor any of our affiliates, directors, officers, employees or consultants are responsible or liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or other damages under any contract, negligence, strict liability or other theory arising out of or relating in any way to congostories.org and/or materials contained thereon, any linked site or any content or service available through congostories.org. Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the site, content, services or any linked site is to stop your use of it.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NOOW and our directors, officers, employees and consultants, from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and other expenses that arise out of or from: (a) your activities in connection with CongoStories.org; (b) any violation of these Terms of Use by you; or (c) any allegation that any submissions or other materials you submit to us or transmit to CongoStories.org infringe or otherwise violate the copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property or other rights of any third party.

Miscellaneous

These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, United States of America, without regard to its conflict of law principles. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court located in the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, United States of America, and waive any jurisdictional, venue, or inconvenient forum objections to such courts, in any matter arising out of or related to CongoStories.org or these Terms of Use. If any provision of these Terms of Use is found to be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision will be deemed severable from these Terms of Use and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. NOOW may assign its rights and obligations under these Terms of Use. These, together with all policies referred to herein, is the entire agreement between us relating to the subject matter herein and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements between us with respect to such subject matter.