Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 2026-04-10

Last Updated: 2026-07-26

1) INTRODUCTION

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how Haitian Diaspora Forum (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards personal information in connection with your access to and use of our platform, including any website, mobile application, or related services (collectively, the “Platform”).

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy and consent to the collection and use of your information as described herein.

2) SCOPE AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE

This Policy is intended to comply with applicable United States privacy and data protection laws, including:

  • The Florida Digital Bill of Rights
  • Applicable provisions of the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act (where applicable to users)

This Policy applies to all users, including visitors, registered members, businesses, and advertisers.

3) INFORMATION WE COLLECT

A) Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

  • Account information: username, email address, password (stored in hashed form), and optional profile details you choose to add.
  • Content and communications: posts, comments, messages, reports, and any information you submit when you contact us.
  • Business and advertising information.

B) Information Collected Automatically

We may automatically collect:

  • Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, pages viewed, referring/exit pages, and timestamps.
  • Log data: activity related to authentication, security events, and performance diagnostics.

C) Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to support Platform operations and personalization.

We may use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to remember preferences, keep you signed in, improve Platform functionality, measure performance, deliver personalized content and advertisements, and understand how the Service is used. See “Cookies and Tracking” below for details.

4) PURPOSE OF PROCESSING

We may use personal information for the following purposes:

  • To provide, operate, and maintain the Platform
  • To facilitate communications and interactions
  • To process payments, advertising, and transactions
  • To personalize user experiences and content
  • To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or illegal activity
  • To comply with legal and regulatory obligations

5) PUBLIC CONTENT AND USER-GENERATED CONTENT

Forum Diaspora is a community platform. Some information is public by default, including:

  • your username and profile information you choose to display, and
  • content you post such as topics, discussions, comments, and reactions.

If you share personal information in public areas, it may be visible to others and may be copied or redistributed by third parties.

AI-assisted content notice: Some community content (including usernames, topics, discussion prompts, or other text) may be AI-assisted or AI-generated to support moderation, help seed discussions, or provide helpful resources. We aim to label or otherwise indicate this where practical, but community content may not always be clearly identifiable as AI-assisted.

6) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

We do not sell personal information in exchange for monetary compensation.

However, certain data sharing for targeted advertising may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” under applicable laws such as the Florida Digital Bill of Rights and California Consumer Privacy Act.

We may share information in limited situations:

  • Service providers: vendors who help us operate the Service (hosting, analytics, email delivery, security). They are permitted to use information only to provide services to us.
  • Legal and safety reasons: when required by law or to protect the rights, safety, and security of users, the public, governmental request, or Forum Diaspora.
  • Business changes: if we’re involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
  • Advertising and analytics: We may share limited data with advertising partners for targeted advertising and measurement purposes, subject to applicable law.

Users may have the right to opt out of such data sharing (see Section 8).

7) DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the Service, fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Public content you post may remain visible even after account deletion unless removed through available tools or required by law.

8) YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

A) Florida Residents

Under the Florida Digital Bill of Rights, eligible Florida residents may have the right to:

  • Access personal data collected about them
  • Request deletion of personal data
  • Correct inaccurate personal data
  • Opt out of targeted advertising
  • Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal data
  • Request information about data processing practices

B) California Residents (If Applicable)

California residents may exercise rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act, including rights to know, delete, correct, and opt out.

C) Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your rights, please contact us at:

contact@forumdiaspora.com

We may require verification of your identity before processing requests.

9) DATA SECURITY

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no online service can guarantee complete security, and you use the Service at your own risk.

10) COOKIES AND TRACKING

We may use:

  • Essential cookies (needed for login and core site functions),
  • Preference cookies (remember settings like language or theme),
  • Analytics cookies (understand traffic and feature usage).

You can usually control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit some features.

11) THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or integrate third-party services.

Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies, not this one. We are not responsible for:

  • The privacy practices of third parties
  • Content or services provided by third parties

12) CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

The Platform is not directed to children under the age of 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If such information is identified, it will be promptly deleted.

13) INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

If you access the Platform from outside the United States, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information within the United States.

14) CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time. Changes will be posted with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Your continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of such changes.

15) CONTACT US

For questions, requests, or legal notices regarding this Policy:

Haitian Diaspora Forum

Email: contact@forumdiaspora.com

Address: [Insert Florida Business Address]