User & Contributor Data Policy

1. Purpose of data collection

Umbaji collects and uses data to:

• Develop and enhance AI models that benefit communities in Togo and across Africa.
• Create open-source AI solutions to promote technological advancement addressing local and regional needs.
• Address data scarcity in AI applications focused on the African context.
• Provide personalized experiences to users of commercial services, allowing for service improvements and better customer support.

2. Types of data collected

For contributors: voice and text data provided by community members to support the training and development of AI models, user-generated content to enrich the scope of open-source projects, and usage data on how contributors interact with Umbaji platforms.

For commercial service users: personal data (name, email) required to provide personalized services, service usage data used solely to improve service quality, and optional data users may choose to provide to customize their experience.

3. Use of data

For open-source community projects: data provided by community members is used to train and improve AI models designed to address local challenges, exclusively under open-source licenses such as the Nwulite Obodo license, ensuring contributors retain certain rights and that data serves community interests.

For commercial services: user data is collected and used strictly for service improvements. Umbaji is committed to limiting commercial data use to enhancing user experiences and product features.

4. Community commitment: the Nwulite Obodo license

Contributions to Umbaji are governed by the Nwulite Obodo license, which:

• Ensures data contributes to the common good and benefits contributors and local communities in Africa.
• Guarantees that all contributions under this license are used to address community needs and promote AI and data accessibility for populations in Togo and across Africa.
• Promotes transparency regarding the use of contributed data, reinforcing a sense of shared ownership and social responsibility.

Note: Umbaji does not currently offer monetary compensation for data contributions but guarantees that all contributions will be used for the advancement of socially and community-focused projects.

5. Data access and control

Community contributors may request a record of their contributions and, if applicable, request anonymization or deletion of their data from the open-source repository, provided this does not compromise the integrity of ongoing projects.

Commercial users have full control over their personal data. They can access, update, or delete their personal data at any time through their account settings or by contacting Umbaji support. Data will be promptly deleted upon request, and all data used for analysis or service enhancement will be anonymized.

6. Data security and retention

Umbaji implements robust security measures to protect data from unauthorized access or disclosure. Personal data and contributions are retained only as long as necessary for the purposes specified in this policy and in compliance with applicable laws.

7. Sharing data with third parties

Umbaji does not share, sell, or rent user data to third parties without consent. In cases where data sharing is necessary for project collaboration or improvement, Umbaji ensures that all third parties adhere to strict data protection and confidentiality standards.

Cookie policy

Umbaji uses cookies to enhance user experience, optimize service functionality, and collect analytical data.

What is a cookie?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device to help understand how you use our site and services. They allow personalization of experience and remembering preferences.

Types of cookies we use

• Essential cookies: necessary for site functionality and cannot be disabled. They include session management and security cookies.
• Analytical cookies: help understand user interactions with our services. Data collected is used exclusively for internal purposes to improve our platforms.
• Functional cookies: remember your preferences, making your experience with Umbaji smoother and more tailored to your needs.

Cookie management

Users can manage or disable cookies through their browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality and user experience of our services.

Policy updates

Umbaji reserves the right to update this User Data and Cookie Policy periodically. Users and contributors will be informed of any significant changes, and continued use of our services implies acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact us

For any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact Umbaji at:

• Email: contact@umbaji.org
• Phone: +228 92 56 72 97