Effective Date: 2 October 2025

Africa Digital Health Networks (ADHN) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of our members, partners, and visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard information in accordance with applicable data-protection laws across Africa and internationally.

1. Who We Are

Africa Digital Health Networks (ADHN) is a pan-African, neutral platform that connects governments, innovators, academia, development partners, and civil-society organizations to accelerate digital transformation in health systems. Our secretariat manages websites, online membership portals, and collaboration tools used by the ADHN community.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal and technical information when you engage with ADHN websites, forms, or digital platforms. This may include:

  • Personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, gender, and country of residence.

  • Professional information such as your organization, job title, sector, and areas of expertise.

  • Membership information including tier, docket affiliation, and participation history in ADHN events.

  • Technical data such as IP address, browser type, device identifier, and pages visited.

  • Any content you choose to submit through forms, comments, uploads, or communications with ADHN.

We do not collect sensitive health data about visitors or members through this website.

3. Comments

When visitors leave comments on our site, we collect the data shown in the comment form, the visitor’s IP address, and browser user-agent string to help detect spam. An anonymized string created from your email address may be provided to the Gravatar service to determine if you use it. After your comment is approved, your profile image—if linked to Gravatar—will appear publicly beside your comment.

4. Media Uploads

If you upload images or documents, avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors to the site can download and extract such data from uploaded files. ADHN removes materials that contain confidential or personal information without permission.

5. Cookies

ADHN uses cookies and similar technologies to provide essential site functionality and improve user experience.

  • If you leave a comment, you may opt-in to saving your name, email, and website in cookies for convenience. These persist for one year.

  • When you log in, temporary cookies confirm your browser accepts cookies. Additional cookies store your login status and display preferences; login cookies last two days, display preferences one year. Selecting “Remember Me” keeps your login for two weeks. Logging out deletes them.

  • Editing or publishing content stores an additional cookie containing the post ID of the item you edited, which expires after one day.

  • Analytics cookies collect anonymous usage data to help us improve navigation and content.

You can block cookies in your browser settings, but some site features may not function properly.

6. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles or pages on this site may include embedded content such as videos, images, or documents hosted elsewhere. Embedded content behaves exactly as if you had visited the originating site. Those sites may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction. ADHN is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

7. How We Use Your Information

ADHN uses collected data to:

  • Manage membership applications and accounts.

  • Provide access to events, resources, and digital platforms.

  • Distribute newsletters and program updates.

  • Facilitate networking and collaboration among members.

  • Analyze engagement to improve our services and platforms.

  • Maintain security, compliance, and administrative records.

We process personal data on the basis of legitimate organizational interests, consent, or legal obligation, depending on context.

8. Who We Share Your Data With

ADHN does not sell personal data. Information may be shared only:

  • With authorized ADHN staff and partners who support membership, events, or technical operations under confidentiality agreements.

  • With platform providers that host our website, email, or database systems for legitimate business purposes.

  • With continental and international health agencies such as Africa CDC when joint programs require aggregated reporting.

  • If required by law, court order, or government authority acting within its legal mandate.

9. Data Retention

Comments and associated metadata are stored indefinitely to recognize follow-up submissions automatically. Registered user profiles retain their personal data until the user deletes or requests deletion of their account. Technical logs are kept only as long as necessary for security and auditing. Once data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

10. Your Rights

You may request:

  • Access to personal data we hold about you.

  • Correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

  • Deletion of your data where legally permissible.

  • Withdrawal of consent for communications at any time.

  • An exported copy of your personal data in machine-readable format.

Requests can be made by contacting ADHN at privacy@adhn.africa. We will verify identity before fulfilling any request.

11. Data Security

ADHN employs encryption, secure servers, and access-control protocols to protect data against unauthorized use, loss, or disclosure. While we maintain robust safeguards, no online system can guarantee absolute security. Users should maintain strong passwords and log out after each session.

12. International Transfers

As a pan-African network using cloud-based services, your information may be transferred and stored outside your country. ADHN ensures such transfers occur only with appropriate legal and technical safeguards consistent with data-protection requirements.

13. Children’s Privacy

ADHN does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 years of age. If we become aware that data from a minor has been collected without guardian consent, it will be deleted immediately.

14. Where Your Data Is Sent

Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam-detection services. Back-ups of site data are stored securely in encrypted cloud repositories accessible only to authorized personnel.

15. Updates to This Policy

ADHN may revise this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our operations or legal requirements. The most current version will always be posted on our website with the effective date indicated at the top. Continued use of our platform constitutes acceptance of any updated policy.

16. Contact Us

Questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy should be sent to:

Africa Digital Health Networks (ADHN)
📧 Email: privacy@adhn.africa
🌍 Website: www.adhn.africa