Privacy Policy for the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia App

Effective Date: 12 April 2025

1. Introduction

The Parliament of the Republic of Namibia App ("we," "our," or "the App") is developed by Mindsinaction with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung to strengthen civic engagement and communication between Parliament and the citizens of Namibia. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use the App.

By using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using the App.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

A. Personal Information (only when users register or interact):

• Full name
• Email address
• Contact number
• Location (optional, only if you choose to enable it for location-specific issues)
• Account credentials (username and password)

B. User-Generated Content:

• Posts, comments, opinions, and feedback
• Submitted issues and reports
• Petitions and survey responses

C. Automatically Collected Data:

• Device information (e.g., model, operating system)
• Log data (e.g., IP address, time of access, in-app activities)
• App usage statistics and interaction history
• Crash and performance data for improvement

3. How We Use Your Information

Your data is used solely for purposes related to the function of the Parliament App, including:

• Facilitating two-way communication between users and Parliament
• Displaying user-submitted opinions, issues, and petitions
• Collecting feedback through surveys
• Notifying users of events, announcements, and updates
• Improving user experience and app functionality
• Ensuring the security and integrity of the platform

We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for commercial purposes.

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information only under the following circumstances:

• With Parliamentary staff for the purpose of processing your feedback, petitions, or issues.
• With service providers that help maintain the app (e.g., hosting, data storage), under strict confidentiality agreements.
• When required by law or to comply with legal processes or protect the rights, property, or safety of Parliament or users.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and administrative measures to protect your information, including:

• Secure login and authentication
• Encrypted data transmission (SSL)
• Restricted access to sensitive information
• Regular security assessments

While we strive to protect your data, no platform can guarantee absolute security. Users are encouraged to safeguard their own credentials.

6. Your Rights and Controls

As a user, you have the right to:

• Access and update your personal information
• Delete your account and associated data upon request
• Control your notification and privacy settings via the app
• Withdraw consent for data collection by deleting the app and your account

For any data requests, contact us at: v.kaenda@parliament.na

7. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for use by individuals aged 13 and above. If you are under 13, please seek permission from a guardian before using the App. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13 without parental consent.

8. Third-Party Links and Content

The App may contain links to third-party sites (e.g., Parliament's official website, video sessions). This policy does not cover how those third parties collect or use your data. We encourage you to read their respective privacy policies.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in the App's features or regulations. All updates will be posted within the App and on the official website. Continued use of the App after updates constitutes acceptance of the new policy.

10. App Store Specific Information

For iOS Users: Apple's App Store services may collect certain usage and diagnostic information as part of their standard analytics. We do not have control over or access to this data collection. Please refer to Apple's Privacy Policy for more information.

For Android Users: Google Play services may collect certain information as outlined in Google's Privacy Policy. This collection is separate from and in addition to the data collected by our App as described in this policy.

11. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. User-generated content may remain on our servers until explicitly deleted by the user or removed due to violation of our terms.

12. International Data Transfers

Although our primary user base is in Namibia, your information may be stored and processed in servers located outside of your country of residence. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of information to countries outside of your country of residence, which may have different data protection rules.