Project VIEW

Privacy Policy

Project VIEW (referred to as "we," "us," or "our") operates the website https://theprojectview.org (the "Website" or "Site"), a Progressive Web App (PWA) dedicated to promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in Ghana. We position ourselves as Ghana's pioneering STEM holding company, offering resources such as NSMQ (National Science & Maths Quiz) preparation materials, project ideas, educational articles, tutorials, and community insights for students, educators, and STEM enthusiasts.

We are deeply committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, how we secure it, and your rights regarding your data. It complies with applicable data protection laws, including but not limited to Ghana's Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU/EEA users, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) as amended for California residents, and other relevant international standards.

By accessing or using our Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide, improve, and personalize our educational services, ensure site functionality, and comply with legal obligations. The types of information include:

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Contact and Inquiry Data: When you contact us via email (e.g., through our Contact page), submit feedback, or inquire about STEM projects/NSMQ resources, we may collect your name, email address, phone number (optional), and any message content you provide.
  • User-Generated Content: If you comment on articles, participate in future forums, or submit project ideas (once implemented), we collect the content you submit, along with your name or username if provided.
  • Account Data (if registration is enabled in the future): Username, password, email, and profile details.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

  • Device and Usage Data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers, language preferences, time zone, referring/exit pages, date/time stamps, and pages viewed.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar tracking tools for functionality, analytics, and advertising. These may include essential cookies (for site navigation and security), performance cookies (to analyze site usage), and advertising cookies (for personalized ads via third-party services).
  • Location Data: Approximate location derived from IP address (no precise GPS tracking unless explicitly consented for future features).

1.3 Third-Party Data Collection

We partner with Google AdSense to display advertisements on our Website. Google and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our Site and other websites across the Internet.

Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to your website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visit to our Sites and/or other sites on the Internet.

2. How We Use Your Information

  • To operate, maintain, and improve the Website (e.g., fix bugs, enhance content delivery for STEM/NSMQ resources).
  • To respond to your inquiries, provide educational support, and communicate updates about Project VIEW initiatives.
  • To analyze site usage trends and optimize user experience (e.g., which NSMQ topics are most popular).
  • To display relevant advertisements through Google AdSense and other potential partners.
  • To prevent fraud, enforce our Terms of Use, and comply with legal requirements.
  • For research and development of new STEM educational tools (aggregated/anonymized data only).

We process personal data based on legal grounds such as:

  • Consent (e.g., for non-essential cookies).
  • Legitimate interests (e.g., site analytics, security).
  • Contract performance (if you engage in future interactive features).
  • Legal obligations.

3. Google AdSense and Advertising

We use Google AdSense to monetize our educational content. Google AdSense places cookies on your browser to serve personalized ads. These cookies enable Google and its partners to display ads based on your browsing behavior.

Mandatory Disclosure (per Google AdSense Requirements):
Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visits to our Sites and/or other sites on the Internet.

You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ad Settings page: https://www.google.com/settings/ads.
Alternatively, you can opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page: http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ or the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tool.

If you have not opted out of third-party ad serving, other third-party vendors or ad networks may also use cookies to serve ads on our Site. We encourage you to review their respective privacy policies for more information.

Google does not use sensitive personal information (such as health, race, religion, or sexual orientation) to personalize ads, in line with its Personalized Advertising Policy.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data in limited circumstances:

  • With Service Providers: Third-party vendors (e.g., hosting providers, analytics tools) who assist in operating the Site, under strict confidentiality agreements.
  • With Google: For AdSense advertising, analytics (if implemented), and related services. Google may combine data from our Site with other data for ad targeting and measurement.
  • Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or government request (e.g., under Ghana's Data Protection Act).
  • Business Transfers: In the event of merger, acquisition, or asset sale.
  • Aggregated/Anonymized Data: For research, marketing, or partnerships (non-identifiable).

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. These include encryption (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Policy, or as required by law. Contact data is kept for up to 2 years after your last interaction; log data is retained for up to 12 months.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights under applicable laws:

  • Access, Correction, Deletion: Request to view, update, or delete your data.
  • Opt-Out/Objection: To processing for marketing/ads (via cookie consent or AdSense opt-out links above).
  • Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent.
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured format (where technically feasible).

For Ghana residents: Contact the Data Protection Commission if needed.
For EU/EEA users (GDPR): Additional rights apply, including restriction of processing.
For California residents (CCPA/CPRA): Right to know what data we collect/use/share, opt out of sale/sharing (we do not sell data), and non-discrimination.

To exercise rights, email us at: [email protected]. We respond within 30–45 days (extendable where permitted).

8. International Data Transfers

As a Ghana-based organization, data is primarily processed in Ghana or with providers using adequate safeguards (e.g., EU Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable).

9. Children's Privacy

Our Website is not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware of such collection, we will delete it promptly. Parents/guardians: Contact us if you believe we have collected your child's data.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes in practices, technology, or law. Changes will be posted here with an updated effective date. Significant changes will be notified via site notice or email (if applicable).

11. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or rights requests regarding this Privacy Policy:
Project VIEW
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://theprojectview.org/contact

Thank you for trusting Project VIEW with your information as we work to advance STEM education in Ghana. We are committed to transparency and continuous improvement.