Notice of Collection

Transparent disclosure of how DevCircle Africa collects and uses personal information

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

California Privacy Notice

If you are a California resident, please note that this Notice of Collection provides additional information required under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). For complete information about your rights and our practices, please review our full Privacy Policy.

Table of Contents

Notice of Collection - Overview

What This Notice Covers

This Notice of Collection describes how DevCircle Africa collects, uses, and manages personal information
It applies to all users, visitors, and participants of our platform and services
This notice is separate from our full Privacy Policy and focuses specifically on data collection practices
By accessing or using DevCircle Africa, you acknowledge receipt of this notice
If you are a resident of certain jurisdictions, this notice provides required disclosures under applicable privacy laws

Why We Provide This Notice

To ensure transparency about our data collection practices
To comply with privacy regulations including GDPR, CCPA, and local data protection laws
To explain the purposes and legal basis for collecting your information
To inform you of your rights regarding your personal data
To provide contact information for data privacy inquiries

Categories of Information We Collect

Identity Information

Full name or display name
Email address (primary and backup)
Phone number (optional, for account recovery)
Username and account credentials
Profile picture or avatar
Date of birth (if provided)
Government-issued ID (if required for event registration)

Professional Information

Job title and current role
Company or organization name
Professional bio and summary
Linked professional accounts (LinkedIn, GitHub, Twitter, etc.)
Skills and areas of expertise
Educational background and certifications
Professional experience and work history

Contact and Communication Information

Email communication history and preferences
Phone call logs and recordings (if applicable)
Chat or messaging conversations
Support tickets and inquiries
Newsletter subscription preferences
Notification settings and frequency preferences
Survey and feedback responses

Payment and Transaction Information

Payment method details (processed securely through third-party providers)
Billing address and contact information
Transaction history and purchase records
Refund and dispute information
Invoice records and financial statements
Subscription status and renewal dates

Platform Activity and Engagement Data

Event registration and attendance records
Event history and participation dates
Blog posts and articles viewed
Podcasts and video content consumed
Bookmarks and saved items
Comments and posts created
Search queries and browsing behavior
Interaction with platform features
Time spent on specific pages and sections

Device and Technical Information

Device type and operating system
Browser type and version
IP address and approximate location
Device identifiers and hardware model
Mobile app version and usage data
Screen resolution and device settings
Connection type (WiFi, cellular, etc.)
Cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies

Location Information

City, country, and region (inferred from IP address)
Time zone information
Precise location (only with explicit user permission and clear notice)
Event location preferences and attendance patterns

Inferred and Derived Information

Interest categories based on browsing behavior
Professional interests and preferences
Event preferences and attendance patterns
Content recommendations and suggestions
User segments and audience classifications
Behavioral profiles for service improvement

How We Collect Information

Direct Collection

Registration and account creation forms
Profile completion and settings pages
Event registration and checkout processes
Contact forms and inquiry submissions
Email communications and responses
Phone calls and customer support interactions
Surveys, questionnaires, and feedback forms
File uploads and document submissions

Automatic Collection

Cookies and similar tracking technologies
Web server logs and activity logs
Analytics tools and session tracking
Pixels and web beacons on our website
Browser fingerprinting and device recognition
Mobile app usage analytics
Error and crash reporting

Third-Party Sources

Social media login integration (if you choose to connect)
Payment processors and financial institutions
Identity verification services
Email verification and validation services
Analytics providers and data enrichment services
Marketing and advertising partners
Event management and ticketing platforms
Public directories and business databases

Inferred Information

We derive insights from your interactions and activity patterns
Behavioral analysis based on browsing and engagement data
Profiling based on professional information and interests
Predictive analytics for service improvement

Purposes for Data Collection and Use

Service Delivery

Creating and maintaining your user account
Providing access to platform features and services
Processing event registrations and attendance
Managing subscriptions and memberships
Delivering content and services you request
Facilitating networking and connections within the community

Communication and Support

Sending account-related notifications and updates
Responding to your inquiries and support requests
Providing customer service and technical support
Sending event reminders and important announcements
Updating you about platform changes and maintenance

Marketing and Promotions

Sending promotional emails and newsletters (with your consent)
Notifying you about events and opportunities matching your interests
Conducting marketing campaigns and outreach
Creating personalized recommendations
Showing targeted advertisements
Analyzing marketing effectiveness

Analytics and Improvement

Analyzing platform usage and user behavior
Identifying trends and patterns in user engagement
Improving platform features and user experience
Conducting research and development
Testing new features and functionality
Optimizing website and app performance

Security and Fraud Prevention

Detecting and preventing fraudulent activities
Identifying and addressing security threats
Protecting against unauthorized access
Verifying user identity and preventing impersonation
Monitoring for suspicious account activities
Enforcing our terms of service and policies

Legal and Compliance

Complying with applicable laws and regulations
Responding to legal requests and court orders
Maintaining records for legal and accounting purposes
Enforcing contracts and agreements
Protecting our legal rights and interests
Defending against legal claims

Business Operations

Internal business processes and administration
Managing user accounts and subscriptions
Creating invoices and managing payments
Conducting internal audits and reviews
Improving business processes and efficiency

Legal Basis for Collection (GDPR and Similar Laws)

Consent

For marketing communications, we collect your explicit consent
For cookies and tracking technologies, we obtain consent through our consent banner
You can withdraw consent at any time by adjusting your settings
Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of prior processing

Contract Performance

To provide services you have requested or purchased
To process event registrations and attendance
To manage subscriptions and memberships
To fulfill your transactions and requests

Legal Obligations

To comply with tax and accounting requirements
To respond to legal requests and law enforcement
To enforce our terms of service and policies
To maintain required business records

Legitimate Interests

To improve our platform and services
To protect our platform from fraud and abuse
To analyze and understand user behavior
To conduct business analytics and market research
To maintain platform security and integrity

Vital Interests

To protect the health and safety of our users and staff
To respond to emergencies or security incidents

Data Retention and Deletion

Retention Periods

Account information is retained while your account is active
Transaction records are retained for accounting and legal purposes (typically 7 years)
Email communications are retained for customer service and dispute resolution
Event attendance records are retained for 5 years
Website analytics data is retained for 12 months
Device and technical data is retained for 90 days

Deletion and Anonymization

You can request deletion of your account and associated data
We will delete personal data within 30 days of verification
Some data may be retained if required by law or for legitimate business purposes
We may anonymize data instead of deleting it for analytics purposes
Backups may retain data for an additional 90 days for recovery purposes

Exceptions to Deletion

Data required by law or regulation
Data needed for legal claims or dispute resolution
Data necessary for fraud prevention and security
Data retained with proper anonymization

Your Data Rights and Choices

Right to Access

You have the right to request what personal data we hold about you
We will provide a copy of your data in a portable format
Request can be submitted through your account settings or in writing

Right to Correction

You can update or correct your personal information
Most profile and account information can be edited directly in your settings
Contact us for corrections to data we have on file

Right to Deletion

You can request deletion of your account and personal data
We will honor deletion requests within 30 days
Some data may be retained if required by law

Right to Opt-Out

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time
Unsubscribe links are provided in all promotional emails
You can adjust notification preferences in your account settings
You can disable cookies and tracking through your browser settings

Right to Data Portability

You can request your data in a portable, commonly-used format
We will provide your data in CSV, JSON, or similar formats
This allows you to transfer data to other services

Right to Object

You can object to certain types of data processing
This includes profiling and automated decision-making
We will assess your objection and respond accordingly

Security and Data Protection

Security Measures

We use industry-standard encryption (SSL/TLS) for data transmission
Personal data is stored securely on encrypted servers
Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel
We implement regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Multi-factor authentication is available for account protection
We maintain backup systems for data recovery

Data Breach Response

In case of a data breach, we will investigate immediately
Affected users will be notified without undue delay
We will cooperate with law enforcement as required
We maintain cyber liability insurance

Limitations

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure
While we implement strong protections, we cannot guarantee absolute security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password
Report suspected security issues immediately to security@devcircleafrica.com

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device
They are used to remember your preferences and actions
Cookies help us provide a better user experience
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through settings

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential cookies: Required for platform functionality and security
Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our platform
Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
Marketing cookies: Enable personalized advertising and content

Other Tracking Technologies

Web beacons and pixels track page views and user actions
Google Analytics collects aggregated usage data
Hotjar records user session behavior (with consent)
Social media pixels track users across platforms

Controlling Cookies

You can refuse cookies through our consent banner
Browser settings allow you to delete or disable cookies
Some features may not work properly if cookies are disabled
You can opt out of specific tracking at any time

Data Privacy Contact Information

Privacy Inquiries

Email: privacy@devcircleafrica.com
Phone: Available during business hours (9 AM - 5 PM EAT)
Mailing Address: DevCircle Africa, [Your Address]
Response time typically within 7-10 business days

Data Protection Officer

Our Data Protection Officer oversees privacy compliance
For privacy concerns, contact our DPO at dpo@devcircleafrica.com
You can submit formal data access requests to the DPO

Regulatory Complaints

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority
Contact information for regulators is available in your jurisdiction
We will cooperate fully with regulatory investigations

International Data Transfers

Cross-Border Transfers

DevCircle Africa operates globally and may transfer data across borders
Data may be stored on servers located outside your country of residence
We ensure adequate safeguards for international transfers
We comply with GDPR requirements for cross-border data transfers

Standard Contractual Clauses

We use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the EU Commission
SCCs ensure data protection standards in non-EU countries
Recipients are bound by data protection obligations

Your Consent

By using our services, you consent to international data transfers
You acknowledge the potential risks of cross-border data movement
You can request more information about specific transfers

Changes to This Notice

Updates and Modifications

We may update this Notice of Collection at any time
Material changes will be communicated via email
Updates will be effective 30 days after notice
Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of changes
Previous versions are available upon request

Notification Method

Email notification to your registered email address
Prominent notice on the website or app
In-app notification or banner
For significant changes, we may require explicit consent

About This Notice

This Notice of Collection is provided to help you understand our data collection and usage practices. It complements our full Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, which contain additional important information about how we use and protect your data.

If you have any questions about this notice or our data practices, please don't hesitate to contact us using the information below.

Privacy and Data Protection Contact

Email:

privacy@devcircleafrica.com

Data Protection Officer:

dpo@devcircleafrica.com

Hours:

Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM EAT

Response Time:

7-10 business days for formal requests

Important Legal Disclaimer

This Notice of Collection is provided for informational purposes to help you understand our data practices. In case of any conflict between this notice and applicable laws, the applicable laws shall prevail. This notice does not constitute legal advice. If you have specific questions about your privacy rights or our compliance obligations, we recommend consulting with a qualified privacy attorney in your jurisdiction.