PRIVACY
POLICY

Effective Date: 24 June 2026 | Last Updated: 24 June 2026

Miss Afrikana International ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website missafrikanainternational.com (the "Website"), interact with our content, apply as a contestant, register as a National Director, or otherwise engage with the Miss Afrikana International platform.

We operate globally and are committed to compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU/UK), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other relevant privacy frameworks. This policy applies to all users worldwide.

1. WHO WE ARE

Miss Afrikana International is a global movement and beauty pageant celebrating women of African descent. The data controller for your personal information is Miss Afrikana International, reachable via info@missafrikana.com or through our Contact Us page.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We collect several categories of personal data depending on how you interact with us:

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Contestant Applications: Full name, date of birth, nationality, country of representation, contact details (email, phone, address), photographs, proof of eligibility (passport/ID), heritage/ancestry information, personal statements, education, community service history, and any other information you include in your application.
• National Director Applications: Name, contact information, professional background, business credentials, country of interest, and any supporting documents.
• Partnership/Sponsorship Inquiries: Company name, contact person, email, phone, and details about your brand.
• General Contact & Newsletter: Name, email address, and message content when you reach out via our contact form or subscribe to updates.
• Media Accreditation: Media outlet, role, contact details, and professional credentials.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, we automatically collect certain technical data:

• Cookies & Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies (see Section 9).

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive additional information from:

• National Directors: If you apply through a national franchise, the Director may forward your application data to us.
• Social Media Platforms: If you engage with our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), we receive aggregated insights and, if you contact us, the information you share.
• Public Sources: Publicly available information to verify eligibility or for due diligence purposes.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We process your personal data for the following purposes, based on the legal grounds indicated:

4. SHARING AND DISCLOSURE

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data with:

• National Directors / Franchise Holders: For contestant processing and coordination within your country of representation.
• Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist with website hosting, email delivery, analytics, payment processing (if applicable), and event management. They are contractually bound to protect your data.
• Event Partners & Sponsors: With your explicit consent, we may share limited information (e.g., name, photograph, country) for promotional purposes related to the pageant.
• Legal Authorities: When required by law, to enforce our legal rights, or to protect the safety of our community.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred as part of the transaction, with appropriate safeguards.

5. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Miss Afrikana International operates globally. Your personal data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including countries that may not provide the same level of data protection. When we transfer data internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission.
• Adequacy decisions where applicable.
• Binding Corporate Rules or equivalent mechanisms.

By using our Website or providing your information, you consent to such transfers in accordance with this policy.

6. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law. Specific retention periods include:

• Contestant applications: Up to 3 years after the relevant competition cycle, unless you become a titleholder, in which case data may be retained longer for archival and historical purposes.
• National Director records: For the duration of the franchise agreement plus 5 years.
• Marketing communications: Until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent.
• Website analytics: Up to 26 months.

When no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize your data.

7. YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

7.1 GDPR (EU/UK Residents)

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data under certain conditions.
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
• Rights Regarding Automated Decision-Making: We do not engage in automated profiling that produces legal effects.

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@missafrikana.com. We will respond within one month. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

7.2 CCPA (California Residents)

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell personal information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate for exercising your CCPA rights.

To make a CCPA request, email info@missafrikana.com with "CCPA Request" in the subject line. We may verify your identity before processing.

7.3 Other Regions

Residents of other countries (e.g., Canada, Australia, Brazil) have similar rights under their respective laws. Please contact us for details.

8. SECURITY

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encryption, access controls, secure servers, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and support our marketing efforts. Cookies are small text files placed on your device.

9.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Website to function (e.g., session management, security).
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with the Website (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign performance (may be set by third-party advertising partners).

9.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. You may block or delete cookies, but this may affect certain Website features. On your first visit, you will see a cookie consent banner where you can manage your preferences. For detailed information, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

10. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Our Website and pageant are not directed at children under 16 (or equivalent age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors without verifiable parental consent. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will delete it promptly. Contestant eligibility requires a minimum age (typically 18), and we verify age during the application process.

11. THIRD-PARTY LINKS

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., social media platforms, sponsor sites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. DO NOT TRACK SIGNALS

We do not currently respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals from browsers. However, you can manage cookie preferences as described above.

13. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by posting the revised policy on this page with a new effective date. We encourage you to review this page regularly.

14. CONTACT US

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: (for privacy matters) info@missafrikana.com
• Website: Contact Us
• Postal Address: To be provided upon request (please contact us first).

This policy was last reviewed and updated on 24 June 2026.