Privacy Policy
The Speak Up! project (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is dedicated to creating a safer, more inclusive digital environment in Bangladesh where children and young people can exercise their rights, learn, and participate meaningfully in public life.
While digital connectivity offers crucial opportunities for education and expression, it also exposes young people to risks such as cyberbullying, online harassment, misinformation, hate speech, privacy violations, and Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OSEA). This Privacy Policy outlines our commitment to protecting your personal data, privacy, and digital security.
1. Child Safeguarding & Privacy Principles
Best Interests of the Child: All data practices prioritize the safety, privacy, and well-being of children and young people.
Data Minimization: We only collect personal information that is strictly necessary to run project activities, provide protection services, or improve our digital resources.
Privacy by Design: Default settings on our platforms restrict public exposure of personal information.
2. Information We Collect
A. Direct Information
Registration Data: Name, age group, gender, contact details (email or phone number), district, or organizational affiliation when joining workshops, youth forums, or civic activities.
Incident & Incident Reports: Details provided when reporting online violence, cyberbullying, harassment, or OSEA, including descriptive details and optional contact info for follow-up support.
Feedback & Consultations: Opinions, survey responses, or creative contributions shared during youth civic engagement activities.
B. Automatically Collected Data
Device & Usage Info: IP address (masked/anonymized), device/browser type, and general location (district level in Bangladesh) to optimize web content for low-bandwidth environments.
Aggregated Metrics: Non-identifiable statistical data on page visits and resource access.
3. Special Protections for Vulnerable Groups
To protect girls, young women, children with disabilities, and marginalized youth:
No Unnecessary Sensitive Data: We do not collect sensitive data such as legal ID numbers or detailed health disclosures unless explicitly necessary for delivering dedicated accessibility accommodations.
Option for Anonymity: Youth accessing safety resources or reporting digital safety concerns can choose to remain completely anonymous.
4. How We Use Your Information
| Purpose | Data Categories Used | Legal & Ethical Basis |
| Digital safety training & civic engagement | Name, contact info, age group | Consent / Program Participation |
| Reporting & referral for OSEA or cyberharassment | Incident description, contact details (if provided) | Vital Interests & Safeguarding Mandate |
| Accessibility support for disabled youth | Preferred format, tech requirements | Legitimate Interest / Support Provision |
| Impact monitoring & donor reporting | Aggregated, non-identifiable metrics | Transparency & Accountability |
5. Parental & Guardian Consent
For children under 18 years of age (or the applicable legal age of majority in Bangladesh), participation in formal project activities requires parental or guardian consent, except in emergency cases where requiring consent could endanger the child or hinder urgent protection from abuse.
6. Data Sharing & Third Parties
No Commercial Sale: We never sell, rent, or trade personal data to third parties or commercial advertisers.
Protection Referrals: With explicit consent from the participant/guardian, incident reports may be shared with trusted legal aid providers, psychosocial support services, or child protection agencies.
Legal Obligation: Information may be disclosed if required by law or to prevent imminent physical or psychological harm or sexual violence.
7. Data Security & Storage
All digital communications containing sensitive reporting data are encrypted in transit and at rest.
Access to personal details is strictly limited to authorized safeguarding personnel who are bound by strict confidentiality protocols.
8. Your Rights
Participants, children, and parents/guardians have the right to:
Access & View: Request a copy of personal information held by the project.
Correct & Update: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
Delete: Request the removal of personal data (“right to be forgotten”), subject to essential legal safeguarding obligations.
Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for data processing at any time.
