Privacy Policy

All information and materials provided on this website are for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Meridian 17 makes no warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. Under no circumstances will Meridian 17 be liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website or its contents.

Last Updated: 27 march 2025

Meridian 17 (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who visit our website (“site”) and interact with our services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal data, in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all information collected through our website and any related services, communications, or platforms that reference this Policy. By using our site, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Data You Provide

We may collect personal data that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletter or updates

• Register for or attend our events (including online webinars)

• Contact us via email, contact forms, or other channels

• Request information about our services or research

Such personal data may include:

• Name and contact information (e.g., email address, phone number)

• Organization or affiliation

• Any other information you choose to provide to us

2.2 Automatically Collected Data

When you visit our site, certain information may be collected automatically, such as:

• IP address

• Device information (e.g., browser type, operating system)

• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and links clicked

• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 5)

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use your personal data for the following purposes:

1. To Provide Services and Information: Facilitate access to our research, newsletters, and events.

2. Communication: Send you information about our work, upcoming events, and relevant updates, if you have opted in to receive such communications.

3. Site Improvement and Analytics: Analyze how our site is used, improve functionality, and develop new services or features.

4. Compliance: Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual obligations, or respond to legal requests and prevent illegal activities.

We will only process personal data where we have a legal basis for doing so, including when you have given your consent, where processing is necessary for the performance of a contract, or to comply with our legal obligations.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. However, we may share certain personal data in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We work with third-party service providers (e.g., hosting providers, event management platforms) who process data on our behalf. We require these providers to comply with strict data protection requirements.

• Legal Obligations: We may disclose personal data if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal requests, such as a subpoena or court order.

• Business Transfers: In the event of a reorganization, merger, or transfer of all or part of our activities, personal data may be transferred as part of that process.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience, analyse site traffic, and personalise content:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of our site.

• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our site, enabling us to improve user experience.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, blocking certain cookies may affect the functionality of our site.

6. International Data Transfers

As Meridian 17 operates in both Africa and Europe, your data may be transferred to or stored on servers located in jurisdictions outside your own. We will take appropriate steps to ensure personal data receives an adequate level of protection in any country where it is processed.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When we no longer need your data, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

8. Your Rights

Subject to local law, you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you

• Request correction or deletion of your personal data

• Object to or restrict the processing of your personal data

• Withdraw your consent (if processing was based on consent)

• Request portability of your personal data

If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 10. We will respond to your request within the timeframes established by applicable law.

9. Security Measures

We are committed to protecting personal data by implementing appropriate technical and organizational security measures. Despite our efforts, no security measures are entirely foolproof. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your personal information.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or wish to exercise your rights concerning your personal data, please contact us at:

Meridian 17
privacy@meridian17.org

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11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When we make changes, we will revise the “Last Updated” date at the top of this Policy. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal data.

Thank you for visiting Meridian 17’s website. Your privacy is important to us, and we remain committed to safeguarding the data you choose to share.