PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: October 12, 2025

This Privacy Policy of the Our Debt of Gratitude Project (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Project”) applies to Personal Information that we collect from our website, located at www.OurDebtOfGratitude.org (the “Web Site”). We are committed to protecting the privacy of our Web Site user’s Personal Information, which is information that relates to you and can identify you as an individual. It does not include data that has been de-identified or aggregated such that you can no longer be identified.

Please Note: The use, publication, and processing of the Stories and other Content you voluntarily submit for publication is governed by our separate Terms of Use, which you must agree to before submitting any content.

Consent and Policy Changes

By using the Web Site, you consent and agree to the provisions of this Privacy Policy, including our collection, processing, use, and disclosure of your Personal Information consistent with these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Web Site.

We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review our Privacy Policy periodically for updates. Your continued use of the Web Site following the posting of changes will mean you accept those changes.

Protection of Minors

We do not direct or target the Web Site to children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under the age of 18. If we learn that a user of the Web Site is under the age of 18 and has submitted material, we reserve the right to delete any information collected about the child and immediately terminate the communication. If you are a parent or guardian and wish to review the information collected from your child, verify that information was deleted, or obtain information about us as operators of the Web Site, please contact us at OurDebtOfGratitude@gmail.com. We will destroy any of the child's Personal Information within our possession or control, unless we have a legal obligation to retain it.

Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide

We collect and store information that you voluntarily provide to us when you interact with the Web Site, for example, when you send us an email or inquire through our contact form. This Personal Information may include (but is not limited to): your name, your email address, mailing address and phone number. If you contact us, we may keep a record of the correspondence.

When you submit a story, image or other content (collectively, ‘Content”) for publication and other use on the Project Web Site, the Content itself is not considered Personal Information under this Privacy Policy. By submitting Content, you grant us permission to publish and process that Content as outlined in our Terms of Use, which governs its public display, use and processing. Personal information is only the data used to identify and contact you, such as your name, email, and mailing address.

We also collect the narrative data contained within the stories and other content you submit, which may include details about your life, experiences, and those of other named individuals. This data is collected for the express purpose of publication project use under terms of our Terms of Use.

B. Usage and Device Data

During your visit, we may automatically collect certain aggregate data related to your Web Site usage. This Usage and Device Data may include your IP address, user settings, computer browser information, the Internet address that you visited prior to and after reaching the Web Site, the name of the domain and host you used to access the Internet, and the features of our Web Site which you accessed. We use IP Addresses to help diagnose problems, administer the Web Site, and gather broad demographic data.

C. Information from Other Sources

We may obtain information about you from publicly available sources (such as social media profiles or public records) or from third-party partners. We may collect this information based on our legitimate interest in ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of the stories published, and to enhance the Project’s ability to research and develop the submitted content for publication and exhibition.

Use of Information

We use the Personal Information and Usage Data we collect:

• To respond to inquiries and requests and to monitor such communications.

• To publish and display the Content you submit on the Web Site and in related exhibitions, as permitted by our Terms of Use.

• To communicate with you regarding your submitted Content to edit, develop, and facilitate the Project's goal of developing and publishing stories.

• To provide information and resolve problems.

• To manage the Web Site, assess its usage, and maintain network and information security

• To pursue necessary business operations, data analysis, and fraud prevention.

Use of Cookies

When you view our Web Site we might store some information on your computer in the form of a “cookie” or similar file. Cookies are small pieces of information stored on your hard drive. Cookies do not spy on you or otherwise invade your privacy. They may help you navigate a Web Site more easily.

Security and Data Transfer

Our Web Site uses commercially reasonable and appropriate physical, electronic, and administrative security measures designed to protect the Personal Information we collect. While there is no such thing as “perfect security” on the Internet, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of your Personal Information.

You agree that all information processed by us may be transferred, processed, and stored anywhere in the world, including but not limited to, the United States of America and other countries which may have data protection laws that are different from the laws where you live. By submitting your information, you agree to this transfer. We use a website hosting service that implements reasonable safeguards when transferring personal information internationally, such as using Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or other legally approved mechanisms where required. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, and you transmit information to us at your own risk.

Data Retention

We will retain your Personal Information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. This means we will keep your data for the duration of our relationship with you or for a period required to fulfill our legal obligations (e.g., tax, accounting, or to resolve disputes). Once it is no longer needed, we will delete or de-identify it.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights regarding the Personal Information we hold about you:

• Right of Access: The right to request a copy of the Personal Information we have collected about you.

• Right to Correction (Rectification): The right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete Personal Information we hold.

• Right to Deletion (Erasure): The right to request that we delete your Personal Information, subject to certain legal exceptions (e.g., if we need to retain it to comply with a legal obligation).

To exercise these rights, please contact:

Margret Mukai

Sandra Buscher

OurDebtOfGratitude@gmail.com

Links and Direct Marketing

This Privacy Policy applies only to the Web Site. It does not apply to any other website linked to or from the Web Site. We do not endorse, screen or approve, and are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of other websites or applications. You should read the privacy policy of any website linked to or from the Web Site.

We do not share Personal Information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Last Updated: October 12, 2025