1. Scope
This notice explains how Beyond Africa handles information across the website, member directory, profiles, events, applications, opportunities, investor and founder areas, messaging, attachments, and support.
2. Information we collect
We may collect account identifiers supplied by the sign-in provider; profile and professional details you submit; membership, verification, event, opportunity, and application records; messages and files you choose to send; payment status supplied by a payment provider; support and moderation records; and limited technical information needed to operate and protect the service.
3. Member-controlled directory fields
Your public profile and member-directory visibility are separate. You choose whether sensitive fields such as phone number, email, net worth, investments, fundraising totals, and documents are shared, connection-only, or private. Other members can view permitted details but cannot edit your record.
4. How we use information
We use information to provide membership and directories, verify eligibility and identity, connect members, operate private messaging, review submissions, run events, protect people from abuse, process payments, provide support, improve reliability, and comply with lawful obligations. We do not sell member lists or personal contact information.
5. Identity and verification
Verification may involve review of account, professional, or identity evidence. Verification indicates that specified checks were completed; it is not an endorsement, credit assessment, investment recommendation, or guarantee of conduct. Access to verification material is restricted to authorized reviewers.
6. Messages and attachments
Messages and attachments are stored privately and are available only to conversation participants and authorized personnel when needed for safety, support, legal compliance, or service integrity. Attachments are delivered through access-controlled routes and are not placed in the public gallery or content library.
7. When information is shared
We share information with other members according to your visibility settings; with service providers that host, secure, authenticate, process payments, or support the platform; with event or program partners when you consent or it is necessary to deliver what you requested; and with authorities when required by valid law or to address serious safety risks.
8. International processing
A global community requires information to be processed across countries. We use service providers and operational safeguards intended to protect information wherever it is handled. Local privacy rights may differ by location.
9. Retention
We keep information only as long as it is reasonably needed for the service, account history, safety, disputes, financial records, or legal requirements. Retention periods vary by record type. Deleting an account does not always require immediate deletion of fraud-prevention, transaction, moderation, backup, or legal records.
10. Security
We use authenticated access, permission checks, restricted storage, private attachment delivery, moderation records, and service monitoring. No online service can guarantee absolute security. Use a unique account credential, verify payment requests independently, and report suspected compromise promptly.
11. Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, export, restrict, object to, or delete certain information. You can update profile details and visibility settings, leave conversations, manage communication preferences, and contact support for a privacy request. We may need to verify your identity before acting.
12. Children
The community is designed for adults and professional participation. We do not knowingly invite children to create member accounts. Contact us if you believe a child has provided personal information.
13. Changes and contact
We may update this notice as the platform, providers, or legal obligations change. Material updates will be communicated through the website or member channel. Questions and requests can be sent through the contact page.