Who we are​

Saffron African Union (“SAU”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a community organization that supports Africans living in India through legal advocacy, housing guidance, education and training, medical navigation, events, and entrepreneurship programs.
Contact: Office 235, Paramount Golforeste, Greater Noida, India 201306 • saffronafricanunion@gmail.com • +91-8851443219 / +91-8446280671

We process personal data in accordance with applicable laws, including India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act). If you are in the EEA/UK, additional rights under the GDPR/UK GDPR may apply.

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What this policy covers

This policy explains what we collect on our website, membership portal, event registrations, forms, WhatsApp or email communications, and program intakes (legal, housing, medical, study, SME). It also covers how we use, share, secure, and retain that information, and the choices available to you.

 

Information we collect

A. You provide directly

• Membership & accounts: name, contact details, nationality, date of birth, city, university/employer, photo, ID info (if provided).

• Service requests: details needed to assist with legal, housing, medical, study, SME/loans, including documents you upload (e.g., rental agreements, medical referrals, resumes).

• Events & workshops: registrations, preferences, travel or accessibility needs.

• Payments/donations: amount, date, method (processed by third-party payment processors; we do not store full card details).

• Communications: messages you send via forms, email, WhatsApp, or social media.

B. Collected automatically (website/app)

• Device/usage data (IP address, browser, pages viewed, timestamps), cookies, and similar technologies for basic site functionality, security, and analytics.

C. From third parties (with your consent or as needed)

• Referrals from partners (e.g., hospitals, universities, community associations), service providers (e.g., translators), or sponsors when coordinating support.

Sensitive data: If you ask us for legal or medical assistance, we may process sensitive personal data you choose to share (e.g., health information, case details). We only use it for the purpose you requested and with your consent.

 

How we use your information (purposes)

• Provide services: respond to your requests; deliver legal/housing/medical/study/SME support; manage memberships and benefits.

• Operate the site: maintain security, prevent abuse, run analytics to improve content and performance.

• Events & programs: manage registrations, access control, certificates, volunteering.

• Communications: send confirmations, service updates, safety alerts, newsletters (you can unsubscribe).

• Partnerships & reporting: produce de-identified impact reports (e.g., counts of members, services delivered).

• Legal compliance: fulfill legal obligations, respond to lawful requests, enforce our terms.

We do not sell your personal data.

 

Legal basis / consent

We rely on your consent for optional processing (e.g., sensitive data for medical/legal help, newsletters). We also process data as reasonably necessary to provide the services you request, operate the site, protect security, and comply with law. You may withdraw consent at any time (it won’t affect prior lawful processing).

 

Sharing your information

We share data only as needed to deliver what you asked for, or as required by law:

• Service delivery partners: hospitals and clinics (medical navigation), advocates/lawyers (legal support), universities (study support), verified landlords/brokers (housing), lenders/mentors (SME).

• Vendors: website hosting, analytics, email/SMS/WhatsApp tools, payment processors, identity/document services, event platforms—bound by contracts to protect your data.

• Sponsors/press: only aggregated or de-identified impact data unless you give explicit permission for named stories.

• Legal: to comply with lawful requests or protect rights, safety, and security.

 

International transfers

Our partners and vendors may process data in or outside India. Where required, we take steps to ensure appropriate protections (contractual safeguards, limited access, and security controls).

 

Data retention

We keep data only as long as needed for the purposes above, then delete or de-identify it:

• Membership & account records: while active and up to 3 years after inactivity.

• Legal/medical/housing cases: typically 3–5 years after case closure (subject to legal requirements).

• Event/volunteer records: 24 months after the activity.

• Payments/donations: as required by tax and accounting laws (usually 7 years).
  Actual periods may vary based on legal obligations or ongoing disputes.

 

Your rights & choices

Subject to applicable law, you can:

• Access your data and request a copy.

• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

• Delete data (erasure), or restrict/object to certain processing.

• Withdraw consent for optional uses (e.g., newsletters, sensitive data).

• Opt out of non-essential cookies/analytics where offered.

To exercise rights, contact saffronafricanunion@gmail.com with “Privacy Request” in the subject. We may need to verify your identity.

 

Cookies & analytics

We use essential cookies for site functionality and may use analytics (e.g., page performance, aggregated traffic stats). You can manage cookies in your browser settings and opt out of non-essential tracking where prompted. If we use third-party analytics or pixels, they may set their own cookies per their policies.

 

Events, photos, and media

We document events for community updates and impact reporting. Photos or videos may be captured at SAU events. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform an organizer on site or email us; we will accommodate reasonable requests to avoid or remove identifiable images.

 

Children’s data

Our services are intended for individuals 18+. If you believe we have collected data from a minor without appropriate consent, contact us to delete it.

 

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data (encryption in transit, access controls, least-privilege principles). No method is 100% secure; if we detect a significant incident, we will take steps required by law and notify affected individuals where necessary.

 

Grievance & contact

For questions, requests, or complaints, contact:
Grievance Officer: [Name/Role – e.g., Advocate Tanishka]
Email: saffronafricanunion@gmail.com
Address: Office 235, Paramount Golforeste, Greater Noida, India 201306
If you are in the EEA/UK, you may also have the right to contact your local data protection authority.

 

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We’ll post the new version with an updated “Effective date.” Material changes may be announced on the site or by email where appropriate.