Privacy Policy

Last updated: 27/11/2025

Amnesty International Sierra Leone (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and rights of everyone who interacts with our website and digital platforms. As part of a global movement for human rights, we handle all personal data responsibly, transparently, and in line with Amnesty International’s global privacy standards.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the rights you have over your personal data.

1. Who We Are

We are Amnesty International Sierra Leone, part of Amnesty International’s worldwide movement defending and promoting human rights.
Our website address is: https://www.amnestysierraleone.org

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

This includes:

  • Comments submitted on our website
  • Messages or inquiries sent through contact forms
  • Registration information (if user accounts are enabled)
  • Petition signatures, including name, email address, phone number (optional), and any information you choose to provide
  • Any other voluntary information submitted through our online forms

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device information
  • Pages visited and duration
  • Cookies and usage tracking data (see Section 4)

2.3 Media Uploads

If you upload images, please avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors may download and extract such information.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information only when we have a valid purpose, including to:

  • Manage and moderate comments
  • Prevent spam, fraud, and security risks
  • Improve website usability and performance
  • Respond to inquiries and messages
  • Administer user accounts (if applicable)
  • Support human rights campaigning and activism

Use of Petition Signature Data

When you sign one of our petitions, we use your information to:

  • Add your name to the petition
  • Deliver petitions to relevant authorities or decision-makers
  • Inform you about the impact of the action you supported
  • Offer opportunities to participate in future actions (only if you opt in)

We do not sell, rent, or trade petition data.

Petition signatures may be shared with the authority or institution targeted by the petition. We may also publish aggregated totals (e.g., “15,000 people signed”) without revealing individual data unless you consent.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies help us improve your experience and understand how our website is used.

4.1 Comment Cookies

If you leave a comment, you may choose to save your name, email, and website in cookies for future convenience. These last for one year.

4.2 Login Cookies

For registered users:

  • A temporary cookie checks if your browser accepts cookies
  • Login cookies last two days
  • Display preference cookies last one year
  • “Remember Me” extends login to two weeks
  • Logout removes login cookies

4.3 Editing Cookies

When you edit or publish an article, a cookie storing the post ID is created (expires after one day).

5. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on this site may contain embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles).
Such content behaves as if you visited the other website directly.

These sites may:

  • Collect your data
  • Use cookies
  • Include third-party tracking
  • Monitor your interaction with embedded content

We do not control the data practices of these external websites.

6. Who We Share Your Data With

We only share your information when necessary, including with:

  • Automated spam detection services
  • Email service providers (e.g., for password resets)
  • Authorities or institutions receiving petition submissions

We do not share your information with governments, political parties, or commercial advertisers.

7. How Long We Retain Your Data

  • Comments and their metadata are stored indefinitely, to help us recognize and approve future comments automatically.
  • User accounts (if enabled): personal information is stored in user profiles.
    • Users may update or delete their data at any time (except usernames).
    • Administrators can also modify this information when necessary.
  • Petition signatures are kept for as long as required for the purposes of the campaign and for impact reporting.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request a copy of your data
  • Ask us to correct inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your personal data
  • Withdraw your consent (where processing is based on consent)
  • Object to certain forms of data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at: contact@amnestysierraleone.org

9. International Data Transfers

Some technical services supporting our website may be hosted outside Sierra Leone. In such cases, we ensure your data is protected with appropriate safeguards consistent with Amnesty International’s global privacy commitments.

10. How We Protect Your Data

We implement technical and organizational measures to safeguard your information, including:

  • Secure servers
  • Access controls
  • Encryption where appropriate
  • Regular system security reviews

While we work to ensure maximum protection, no system is fully secure. If a data breach occurs, we will follow best practices for notification and response.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:
info@amnestysierraleone.org