Privacy Policy
Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains how we handle information when you visit the Africa Waste Observatory.
Effective Date: February 13, 2026
1. Introduction
The Africa Waste Observatory is a UK-registered technology startup dedicated to tracking, managing, and transforming waste data intelligence across the African continent.
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect information when you access and interact with our website. We are committed to transparency and to respecting your privacy.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Analytics Data (Google Analytics)
We use Google Analytics (measurement ID: G-QVHZ3Q6F0J) to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics may collect:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring website or source that brought you to our site
- Approximate geographic location (country/city level, derived from IP address)
- Browser type, device type, and operating system
- Screen resolution and language preferences
This data is aggregated and anonymized. We do not use Google Analytics to identify individual visitors. Google's use of this data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy.
2.2 Local Storage
We use your browser's localStorage to save your language preference (English or French) so that it persists between visits. This data:
- Is stored only on your device
- Is never transmitted to our servers or any third party
- Can be cleared at any time through your browser settings
2.3 Information We Do Not Collect
This website does not:
- Require user registration or account creation
- Collect personal information such as your name, email address, or phone number without explicit consent
- Use invasive tracking scripts or commercial advertising networks
- Process payments or financial transactions
- Track you across other websites
3. Cookies
This website itself does not set cookies. However, Google Analytics may set cookies (such as _ga and _gid) in your browser to distinguish unique visitors and throttle request rates. These are first-party cookies managed by Google's analytics script.
You can control or block cookies through your browser settings. Blocking these cookies will not affect the core functionality of the website — all content will remain fully accessible.
4. How We Use Information
The aggregated analytics data we receive is used solely to:
- Understand which content and research resources are most useful to visitors
- Identify opportunities to improve the website's structure and navigation
- Monitor general traffic patterns and continental reach
- Inform data-driven intelligence and reporting on waste management across Africa
We do not sell, rent, or share any data with third parties for commercial purposes.
5. Third-Party Services
Our website utilizes the following trusted third-party services:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Website usage analytics | View Policy |
| Google Fonts | Typography (Inter font family) | View Policy |
| Hosting Infrastructure | Website hosting and delivery | View Policy |
6. Data Retention
Google Analytics data retention is configured according to Google's standard retention cycles (typically 26 months). After this period, aggregated analytics data is automatically deleted. Your language preference stored in localStorage persists until you clear your browser data.
7. Children's Privacy
The Africa Waste Observatory is an educational and public intelligence resource suitable for all audiences. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children or any other visitors. Because no personal information is collected through the site, no special provisions for children's data are required.
8. Your Rights
As a visitor to this website, you have the right to:
Opt out of Google Analytics
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Block cookies
Configure your browser to block third-party cookies or all cookies.
Clear local storage
Remove your saved language preference through your browser's settings or developer tools.
Request information
Contact us to ask about our data protection and usage practices.
9. External Links
Our website contains links to external resources, references, and innovation initiatives. These links open in new tabs and are provided for informational and research purposes. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external site you visit.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any updates will be published directly on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
The Africa Waste Observatory
United Kingdom