Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Shield of Heritage ("we," "us," or "the movement") is committed to protecting the privacy of our website visitors, volunteers, and partners. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you interact with our website and digital platforms.

2. The Type of Information We Collect

We receive, collect, and store any information you enter on our website or provide us in any other way. This includes:

• Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number, and location (primarily collected through volunteer application forms or "Contact Us" queries).

• Organizational Data: Information related to your membership tier (Probationary, Full Member, or Council) and your participation in the Shield Model pillars.

• Technical Data: Internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the internet; login; e-mail address; password; computer and connection information.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect information through the following methods:

• When you fill out a volunteer application or recruitment form.

• When you subscribe to our newsletter or updates regarding the Ngao Museum or the Shield Model.

• When you contact us directly via our integrated social media links or business WhatsApp.

• Through the use of cookies and similar technologies to track website traffic and user behavior.

4. Why We Collect This Information

We collect such Non-personal and Personal Information for the following purposes:

1. To operate and manage the Shield of Heritage movement and its global chapters.

2. To process volunteer applications and maintain our three-tier membership system.

3. To provide our users with ongoing assistance and technical support.

4. To be able to contact our visitors and members with general or personalized service-related notices and promotional messages regarding cultural events (e.g., the Ngao Cultural Festival).

5. To create aggregated statistical data and other aggregated and/or inferred Non-personal Information, which we may use to improve our services or report impact to partners like UNESCO/World Heritage Volunteers.

6. To comply with any applicable laws and regulations.

5. Data Storage and Security

Our website is hosted on a secure platform that allows us to share our "Shield Model" blueprint with you. Your data may be stored through our hosting provider’s data storage, databases, and general applications. They store your data on secure servers behind a firewall.

6. Communication and Outreach

We may contact you to notify you regarding your membership status, to troubleshoot problems with your account, to resolve a dispute, to poll your opinions through surveys or questionnaires, or as otherwise necessary to contact you to enforce our Code of Conduct, applicable laws, and any agreement we may have with you.

7. Cultural Heritage Data (The "Digitize" Pillar)

As part of our mission to "Digitize" fading history, we may collect oral histories or cultural narratives. This data is handled with extreme ethical care. Contributors of cultural stories retain moral rights to their narratives, while Shield of Heritage acts as the digital guardian.

8. Rights of the User

If you would like to: access, correct, amend, or delete any personal information we have about you, or if you no longer wish for us to process your data, you are invited to contact us at our official email or through the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

9. Privacy Policy Updates

We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on the website.

Implementation Tip for Your Website:

Since you are using TikTok and LinkedIn for visibility, ensure that your "Privacy Policy" link is clearly visible in the footer of your website. This builds the "professionalism and integrity" that you mentioned in your organizational goals.