Privacy Notice

The United States of Biafra Government ("USB," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, engage with our services, or interact with our government departments and representatives.

By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Notice. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

1 Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Register for a National Identity Card or other official documentation
• Apply for services, permits, or licenses
• Subscribe to newsletters or communication updates
• Make donations or financial contributions
• Contact us through forms, email, or phone
• Participate in surveys, feedback forms, or public consultations
• Attend official events or diplomatic missions

This information may include:

• Full name, date of birth, and place of birth
• Contact information (email address, phone number, mailing address)
• Government-issued identification numbers
• Biometric data (photographs, fingerprints) for identification purposes
• Citizenship and residency information
• Financial information for transactions and donations
• Employment and professional information
• Emergency contact information

1.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you access our website or digital services, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address and geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system and device information
• Pages visited, time spent, and navigation patterns
• Referring website or source
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies
• Log files and usage data

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:

• Foreign governments and diplomatic missions
• International organizations and agencies
• Verification and authentication services
• Public records and databases
• Law enforcement and security agencies
• Financial institutions and payment processors

2 How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following legitimate governmental purposes:

2.1 Essential Government Functions

• Processing applications for national identity cards and official documents
• Providing consular and diplomatic services to citizens abroad
• Maintaining official records and databases
• Facilitating government-to-citizen communications
• Processing donations and financial contributions
• Verifying identity and preventing fraud
• Ensuring national security and public safety

2.2 Communication and Engagement

• Sending official government announcements and updates
• Responding to inquiries, requests, and applications
• Providing newsletters and informational content
• Conducting surveys and gathering public feedback
• Facilitating diplomatic correspondence

2.3 Service Improvement and Analytics

• Analyzing website usage to improve user experience
• Understanding service needs and preferences
• Developing new services and programs
• Monitoring and enhancing security measures
• Conducting research for policy development

2.4 Legal and Compliance

• Complying with applicable laws and regulations
• Responding to legal processes and government requests
• Protecting our rights and property
• Preventing and investigating fraud or illegal activities
• Enforcing our terms of service and policies

3 Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your personal information with third parties only in the following circumstances:

3.1 Government Departments

We may share information between USB government departments and agencies when necessary to fulfill our governmental functions and provide you with requested services.

3.2 Foreign Governments and International Bodies

We may share information with foreign governments, diplomatic missions, and international organizations for purposes including:

• Diplomatic relations and treaty obligations
• Consular assistance and protection of citizens abroad
• International cooperation on security matters
• Recognition and bilateral agreements

3.3 Service Providers

We may engage trusted third-party service providers to perform functions on our behalf, such as:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Payment processing and financial services
• Data storage and cloud services
• Communication and email services
• Identity verification services

These service providers are contractually bound to protect your information and may only use it for the specific purposes we authorize.

3.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
• Requests from law enforcement or regulatory authorities
• National security requirements
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Prevention of fraud or illegal activities

4 Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our security practices include:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols (SSL/TLS)
• Secure servers with firewalls and intrusion detection systems
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication requirements for staff
• Employee training on data protection and privacy practices
• Secure backup systems and disaster recovery procedures
• Physical security measures for data centers and facilities

However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

5 Your Privacy Rights

As a citizen or user of USB services, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

5.1 Right to Access

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, including the right to obtain a copy of your data.

5.2 Right to Correction

You have the right to request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you.

5.3 Right to Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements.

5.4 Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

5.5 Right to Object

You may object to the processing of your personal information for certain purposes, including direct marketing.

5.6 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we process your information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

6 Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Notice, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Retention periods vary depending on:

• The nature of the information collected
• The purpose for which it was collected
• Legal, regulatory, and governmental record-keeping requirements
• Legitimate governmental interests
• Statute of limitations for legal proceedings

When personal information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policy and applicable laws.

7 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze site usage. Types of cookies we use include:

7.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be disabled. They include session management, security, and load balancing cookies.

7.2 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

7.3 Functionality Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as language preferences and user settings.

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

8 International Data Transfers

As a government-in-exile operating internationally, we may transfer your personal information across borders to:

• Our offices and diplomatic missions worldwide
• Service providers located in different countries
• International partners and organizations

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by data protection authorities
• Data protection agreements with recipient parties
• Compliance with international data protection standards
• Technical and organizational security measures

9 Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verified parental consent. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without proper consent, we will delete that information promptly.

For minors between 13 and 18 years of age, we may collect information for purposes such as citizenship documentation, but we will do so only with appropriate parental or guardian consent as required by law.

10 Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources that are not operated or controlled by USB. This Privacy Notice does not apply to third-party websites or services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit before providing your personal information.

11 Changes to This Privacy Notice

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this notice
• Post the revised notice on our website
• Notify you by email or prominent website notice if changes are significant
• Seek your consent if required by applicable law

We encourage you to review this Privacy Notice periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

12 Data Protection Officer

We have appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee our data protection practices and ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws. Our DPO is responsible for:

• Monitoring compliance with this Privacy Notice
• Conducting privacy impact assessments
• Handling data protection inquiries and complaints
• Serving as a point of contact with data protection authorities
• Providing guidance on data protection matters