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Website Policy

Privacy Policy

This policy explains how AFDES may collect, use, protect, and manage information from readers, subscribers, contributors, visitors, and people who contact us through AFDES.org.

Last updated: June 27, 2026 Applies to: AFDES.org
Your privacy matters. This page describes the types of information AFDES may receive and how we use that information to run and improve the website.

1. Who we are

AFDES is a civic research and political analysis platform focused on democracy, governance, elections, human rights, public policy, and international affairs. Our website is AFDES.org.

2. Information we may collect

Depending on how you use the website, we may collect:

  • Information you provide: name, email address, organization, message content, article submissions, correction requests, partnership inquiries, or newsletter signups.
  • Technical information: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, referring pages, approximate location, date and time of visit, and basic usage data.
  • Communication information: subscription preferences, email delivery activity, and responses to messages we send.
  • Security information: data used to detect spam, abuse, fraud, unauthorized access, or attacks on the website.

3. How we use information

AFDES may use collected information to:

  • Operate, maintain, secure, and improve the website.
  • Respond to questions, contact forms, submissions, and partnership inquiries.
  • Send newsletters, updates, publications, or civic education resources when you subscribe.
  • Understand reader interests and improve content, navigation, accessibility, and performance.
  • Prevent spam, abuse, security incidents, and unauthorized activity.
  • Comply with applicable legal, regulatory, or administrative obligations.

4. Cookies and analytics

AFDES may use cookies, analytics tools, server logs, or similar technologies to understand website traffic, remember preferences, improve performance, and protect the website.

You can usually control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Some website features may not work properly if cookies are disabled.

5. When information may be shared

AFDES does not sell personal information. We may share limited information only when necessary, such as with:

  • Service providers that help operate hosting, email, analytics, security, forms, or website tools.
  • Legal, regulatory, or safety authorities when required by law or necessary to protect rights, safety, or security.
  • Successor organizations if AFDES is reorganized, merged, or transfers website operations, subject to appropriate privacy protections.

6. Newsletter and email communications

If you subscribe to AFDES updates, we may use your email address to send analysis, publications, announcements, or educational resources. You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in an email or by contacting AFDES.

7. Data retention

We keep information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including website operation, communications, security, recordkeeping, and legal compliance.

8. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to help protect information. However, no website, server, email system, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

9. Children’s privacy

AFDES.org is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, please contact us so we can review and delete it when appropriate.

10. Your choices and rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain uses of your personal information. You may contact AFDES to request assistance with privacy-related questions.

11. Third-party websites

AFDES may link to external websites, platforms, public documents, videos, or social media pages. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites.

12. Updates to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated date at the top of this page will show the latest revision.

13. Contact

Questions or requests about this Privacy Policy may be sent through the AFDES contact page.

Contact AFDES