Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Watbes ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website www.watbes.com (the "Platform"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our Platform, which provides a directory and search service for educational institutions in Ghana.
By using our Platform, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, and password when you create an account.
- Profile Information: Any additional details you add to your profile.
- Institution Listing Information: School name, location, contact details, curriculum information, and descriptions submitted by institution representatives for directory listings.
- Communications: Messages, inquiries, or feedback you send to us or to listed institutions through the Platform.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage Data: Pages visited, search queries (region, district, locality, curriculum, education level), time spent on pages, and click patterns.
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and screen resolution.
- Location Data: General geographic location inferred from your IP address and your selected region/district/locality preferences.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: As described in our Cookie Policy below.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
- Payment processors (for promoted listings)
- Analytics providers
- Social media platforms (if you use social login)
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Platform and search functionality
- Display relevant school listings based on your location and curriculum preferences
- Process and manage promoted/paid listings for educational institutions
- Create and manage your user account
- Communicate with you about your account, updates, and services
- Send promotional communications (with your consent)
- Analyze usage trends to improve user experience
- Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, or technical issues
- Comply with legal obligations
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:
- Educational Institutions: When you submit an inquiry or interact with a listed school
- Service Providers & Advertising Networks: Hosting, analytics, payment processing, and Google AdSense partners who deliver relevant advertisements
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
4.1 Google AdSense & Advertising Partners
We use Google AdSense to serve advertisements when you visit our website. Google and its certified third-party vendor partners may use cookies (including the DoubleClick DART cookie) to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites on the Internet.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve personalized or non-personalized ads to our visitors based on their visit to our sites and/or other sites on the Internet.
- You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
- Alternatively, you can opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting www.aboutads.info.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. We will delete or anonymize your information upon request, unless we are required to retain it for legal or legitimate business purposes.
6. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including encryption, access controls, and secure data storage. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Delete your personal information
- Restrict or object to processing of your data
- Data portability
- Withdraw consent at any time
To exercise these rights, contact us at the details provided below.
8. Children's Privacy
Our Platform is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected such information, please contact us immediately.
9. International Data Transfers
Your information may be processed in countries other than Ghana where our service providers operate. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for any such transfers.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on our Platform with a revised effective date.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: info@watbes.com
Address: WatBes Headquarters, Accra, Ghana
