Governance & Transparency
Privacy Policy
How the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon collects, uses, protects, and manages your personal information.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is deeply committed to safeguarding your privacy. We recognize the importance of protecting your personal data and ensuring transparency about how your information is collected, used, and stored. This Privacy Policy outlines SPNL’s practices concerning personal data collected through our website, email communications, and other interactions with you. Our goal is to ensure that your data is handled responsibly, securely, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.
1. About Us
SPNL is a non-governmental organization based in Lebanon, committed to the conservation of biodiversity, promotion of the Hima approach, and sustainable management of Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage. Our work includes engaging with communities, conducting conservation projects, and promoting awareness about environmental issues.
This Privacy Policy applies to all personal data collected through SPNL’s online and offline activities, including through our website, email communications, events, and campaigns.
2. What Personal Data We Collect
We may collect personal data in the following ways:
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
This includes data you voluntarily share with us, such as:
- Contact Details: Your name, email address, phone number, postal address, or other identifying information.
- Payment Information: Details you provide when making donations or purchases, such as credit card details or bank information.
- Feedback and Correspondence: Any information you share in surveys, inquiries, or communications with SPNL.
2.2 Data Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, such as:
- Technical Information: Your IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, and language settings.
- Usage Information: Details about how you use our website, including pages viewed, time spent on the site, and referring URLs.
- Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience.
2.3 Sensitive Personal Data
SPNL does not intentionally collect sensitive personal data, such as health information, political views, or religious beliefs. If it becomes necessary to collect such data, we will explicitly request your consent.
3. How We Use Your Data
Your personal data is used to support SPNL’s mission, ensure efficient operations, and provide you with meaningful interactions.
3.1 Operational Purposes
- To process donations, memberships, or event registrations.
- To send newsletters, updates, and information about our programs and campaigns.
- To respond to your inquiries or provide assistance when requested.
- To fulfill legal or contractual obligations.
3.2 Improving User Experience
- To understand how visitors interact with our website and improve its functionality.
- To provide personalized content based on your interests or preferences.
3.3 Compliance and Legal Obligations
- To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and requests from legal authorities.
- To protect SPNL’s legal rights and prevent fraud or abuse.
4. Legal Basis for Data Processing
SPNL processes your personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:
- Consent: When you voluntarily provide data, such as subscribing to our newsletter or participating in an event.
- Contractual Necessity: When processing is required to fulfill a contract with you, such as managing donations.
- Legitimate Interests: To support SPNL’s mission, ensure efficient operations, and improve user experiences.
- Legal Compliance: To meet regulatory or statutory obligations.
6. Retention of Your Data
SPNL retains personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. The retention period may vary depending on the type of data and the purpose for which it was collected:
- Subscriber data is retained until you opt out of receiving communications.
- Donation records are retained in accordance with financial and tax regulations.
- Website usage data is retained for analytical purposes but anonymized where possible.
When your data is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.
7. Your Rights
You have the following rights concerning your personal data:
- Access: Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data where applicable.
- Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw your consent for specific uses of your data, such as unsubscribing from newsletters.
- Objection: Object to the processing of your data under certain circumstances.
- Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
9. Data Security
SPNL takes appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Secure servers and encrypted connections.
- Regular monitoring and testing of our systems.
- Restricted access to personal data, limited to authorized personnel.
10. International Data Transfers
SPNL operates in Lebanon but may use third-party service providers in other countries. If your data is transferred internationally, we ensure compliance with applicable data protection laws to safeguard your information.
11. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Significant changes will be communicated via our website or other appropriate channels. Please review this page periodically for the latest updates.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please reach out to us:
