Privacy
GrowTogether | Crowdfunding Platform
-
Privacy and security are of utmost importance to us at GrowTogether. This Privacy Notice (“Notice”) is designed to help you (the “end user”) understand how we at GrowTogether collect, use, and share your data when you utilize our products or services where this Notice is provided.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
As detailed below when you use or access the Services, we gather information in various ways, including information you provide directly to us and information we collect passively from your browser or device (e.g., tracking your interactions with our Services).
A. Information You Provide Directly to Us:
I. Registration Information: When you sign up for our Services or create an account, we collect registration details such as your name, email address, login details, zip code, country, phone number (for multi-factor authentication and important messages), and any other information you choose to provide (e.g., profile picture). If you represent a Charity (as defined in the Terms) receiving funds through our Services, we also collect your name and email address.
II. Creating a Fundraiser: When you set up a fundraiser, we collect the information you provide about it, displaying this through our Services. This includes the fundraiser title, category, images, and goals. If you provide information about others (e.g., a family member or friend), you consent to our collection, storage, disclosure, and use of this data. You confirm that you have the authority and consent from other parties to share their information with us. Our payment processors also gather information regarding fund withdrawals (see “Information Collected by Our Payment Processors” for more details).
III. Setting Up Withdrawals: As a beneficiary (or recipient of funds from a fundraiser), we may collect your contact information, such as name, email address, zip code, country, phone number (for multi-factor authentication and important messages), and any other information you choose to provide. Our payment processors collect your bank details and other necessary information for setting up withdrawals (see “Information Collected by Our Payment Processors” for more details).
IV. Donation Information: When you donate to a fundraiser, we collect your contact information (name, email address, billing address), zip code, country, and any additional information you provide (e.g., reasons for donating). Our payment processors collect your credit card details and other necessary donation processing information (see “Information Collected by Our Payment Processors” for more details).
V. Public Communications: You can post comments, leave feedback, send thank-you notes, or communicate with other users through our Services. Any publicly posted content becomes accessible to the public. Be cautious not to share personal data unless you intend it to be public. We may review and monitor postings and content and remove any that may be deemed inappropriate or offensive.
VI. Communications to GrowTogether: If you have questions about how GrowTogether handles your information, you can contact us via a contact form, email, chat services, or other means. We collect the information you provide, such as contact details, images, and message content. We may engage vendors for certain interactive features (e.g., chat for customer service). The contents of these chats may be captured and kept as transcripts. By using these features, you consent to the collection and processing of information through them.
VII. Information About Other Parties: You can provide us with information about others, confirming you have their consent to share their information with us.
VIII. Sensitive Information: You may provide sensitive information (e.g., political opinions, race, health information, religious beliefs) about yourself or others. If shared publicly in relation to your fundraiser or donation, you consent to the processing of this data by GrowTogether and/or its service providers.
IX. Biometric Information: We sometimes collect biometric information through vendors for identity verification, regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention. This may include a copy of your government-issued ID and a scan of the picture on your ID. Vendors may use facial recognition technology to verify your identity and share the results with us. GrowTogether does not directly access or maintain biometric information, which is retained by vendors per applicable retention policies and laws. Contact us for any questions regarding your biometric information.
X. Information Collected by Our Payment Processors
We rely on Stripe, Adyen, and PayPal for our payments, analytics, and other crucial business services. These sophisticated payment processors might gather personal data through cookies and similar technologies. The personal data they collect could include transactional details and identifying information about devices that connect to their services. They utilize this information to effectively operate and enhance the services they provide to us, including for meticulous fraud detection, loss prevention, authentication, and insightful analytics related to the performance of their services. They function both as processors for us and independent controllers for the information they collect directly from our valuable users.
You can learn more about Stripe and read its detailed privacy policy at https://stripe.com/privacy. You can learn more about Adyen and read its comprehensive privacy policy at https://www.paynow.co.zw/Home/Terms You can learn more about PayPal and read its extensive privacy policy at https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/privacy-full.
XI. Data from Other Parties:
GrowTogether may use various vendors to enhance the quality of our user database, which allows us to significantly improve our Services for you, as well as for verification and fraud prevention purposes, as otherwise described in this Notice.
B. Information That is Passively or Automatically Collected:
I. Device & Usage Information:
When you interact with GrowTogether through the Services, we automatically receive and store certain information from the devices you use to access the Services. This information is collected passively through various advanced technologies and includes the type of geolocation data, Internet browser, or mobile device you use, any website from which you have arrived at the Services, your operating system, and location data through an IP address that identifies the city and state where you logged into the Services. GrowTogether either stores this information itself or includes it in databases owned and maintained by GrowTogether and/or its agents or vendors.
II. Location Information:
When you use the Services to organize a fundraiser, the Services may require you to provide your zip code, city or town, and state or province of residence. Please remember that other users of the Services can view your zip code, city or town, and state or province of residence in connection with the fundraiser. We also use your location information as described in this Notice, such as described above under “Device & Usage Information,” and in an aggregate manner, as described below in the “Aggregated Data” section.
III. Cookies and Other Electronic Technologies:
When you interact with the Services, we strive to make that experience as seamless and meaningful as possible. When you visit our Services, our web server, business providers, and/or the Social Networking Services (defined below) integrated into the Services use cookies or other electronic technologies (such as web beacons or pixel tags) for a variety of purposes. Cookies are small pieces of information issued to your computer or mobile device when you visit a website or use a mobile application. That information about your use of the Services is stored and sometimes tracked. Web beacons are transparent image files that enable the Services to track website usage information. Pixel tags are tiny graphic images with unique identifiers that track the online movements of our users. We will refer to cookies and other technologies identified here collectively as “Cookies” for purposes of this Notice.
i. Type of Cookies
Some Cookies are strictly necessary to make our Services available to you (“Essential Cookies”). We cannot provide our Services without these absolutely essential Cookies. We also use Cookies for functional purposes to maintain and improve our Services or your experiences and for marketing purposes (collectively, “Non-Essential Cookies”). Some of the Non-Essential Cookies used are set by us to collect and process certain data on our behalf, and some are set by third parties and/or our Social Networking Services.
ii. Information to and from Social Networking Services
Non-Essential Cookies include Cookies we use in conjunction with the Social Networking Services. One of the unique features of the Services is that it allows you to enable or log into the Services via various social media applications/services, like Facebook or X, or to upload videos using YouTube APIs (“Social Networking Service(s)”). By directly integrating these services, we aim to make your online experiences richer and more personalized. To take advantage of these features, we will ask you to provide your credentials for the applicable Social Networking Service to log in to our Services. When you add a Social Networking Services account to the Services or log into the Services using your Social Networking Services account, we will collect the relevant information necessary to enable the Services to access that Social Networking Service. As part of such integration, the Social Networking Service will provide us with access to certain information that you have provided to the Social Networking Service (for example, your name and photograph, as well as other information that you permit the Social Networking Service to share with us).
We will use, store, and disclose such information by this Notice. However, please remember that how Social Networking Services use, store, and disclose your information is governed by the policies of such third parties, and GrowTogether shall have no liability or responsibility for the privacy practices or other actions of any Social Networking Services that may be enabled within the Services. For example, if you upload a video onto your fundraiser using the mobile application for the Services, your video will be uploaded using YouTube and subject to Google’s Privacy Policy and Google’s Security Settings. You further acknowledge that if you choose to use this feature, your friends, followers, and subscribers on any Social Networking Services you have enabled will be able to view such activity. For example, if you sign on using Meta, Meta’s privacy policy and terms of service would apply to the data Meta might obtain from your activities on GrowTogether. Please visit the terms of use and privacy policy of the relevant Social Networking Service to learn more about your rights and choices and to exercise your choice about those technologies.
iii. Analytics
We use web analytics vendors on our Services, such as those of Google Analytics, to help us analyze how users use the Services, including by noting the website from which you arrive and providing certain features to you, including Google Signal features such as user ID tracking, dynamic remarketing, interest-based advertising, audience targeting, behavioral reporting, demographics and interests reporting, user segment analysis, device reporting, display advertising, and video ads reporting. The information collected by the technology will be disclosed to or collected directly by these vendors, who use the information to evaluate your use of the Services. This may result in you seeing advertisements for our Services when you visit other websites. To limit Google Analytics from using your information for analytics, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on by clicking here. You can also adjust your advertising settings by clicking here.
We use vendors to help us understand and analyze how visitors use our services and to improve the Services. They may collect the following types of information from users of our Services: device IP address, device screen size, device type (unique device identifiers), browser information, geographic location (country only), preferred language used to display our Services, and details about your use of the Services.
iv. Why We Use Cookies
We use Cookies to collect information about your access to and use of the Services, including to: (1) allow you to navigate and use all the features provided by our Services; (2) customize elements of the layout and/or content within the Services and remember that you have visited us before; (3) identify the number of unique visitors we receive; (4) improve the Services and learn which functions of the Services are most popular with users; (5) understand how you use the Services (e.g., by learning how long you spend on the Services and where you have come to the Platform from); and (6) market our Services to you. As we adopt additional technologies, we may gather additional information through other methods. We will notify you of such changes with updates to this Notice.
v. Your Cookie Preferences
Most web and mobile device browsers automatically accept Cookies, but if you prefer, you can change your browser to prevent that or to notify you each time a cookie is set.
We do not control any of the above opt-out links and are not responsible for any choices you make using these mechanisms or the continued availability or accuracy of these mechanisms. If your browsers are configured to reject cookies when you visit these opt-out pages, or you subsequently erase your cookies, use a different computer, or change web browsers, your opt-out may no longer be effective.
Suppose you are accessing our Services through a mobile device. In that case, you can also update your privacy settings on your device by setting the “Limit Ad Tracking” and Diagnostics and Usage setting property located in the settings screen of your Apple iPhone or iPad, or by resetting your Android ID through apps that are available in the Play Store. You can also limit information collection by uninstalling the App on your device and you can use the standard uninstall process available as part of your device for this purpose. Finally, in connection with the social networking services, you can visit your settings with each of the social networking services to exercise your choice of those technologies. Please note that we do not control these mechanisms maintained by other parties and thus cannot be responsible for their functionality.
OUR USE OF INFORMATION COLLECTED
GrowTogether uses the information collected from the Services in accordance with this Notice. We may utilize the information you provide (or allow the Services to access) for the following purposes:
A. Communicating With You
We use the information we gather to contact you for administrative purposes (e.g., to deliver services and information you request or to respond to inquiries and comments). For example, if you contact us via email, we will use the provided information to address your question or resolve your issue. Additionally, we may call you if you do not respond to email and your fundraiser is subject to refunds.
We also use the information collected to send you communications related to the Services, such as updates on events, information about products and services offered by us and third parties, requests for feedback on our Services, and communications about services we think may interest you. For example, we can send periodic emails to registered users of the Services about their recent interactions, such as donating to a fundraiser.
B. Text Messages:
You may consent to receive communications regarding your GrowTogether account via SMS, MMS, or text message. By clicking “Send code” by “Text Message” when setting up your GrowTogether account, you agree to receive automated and non-automated text messages related to your account from or on behalf of GrowTogether at the provided phone number. You can reply STOP to these text messages to cancel, except for automated messages related to account security. Message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply. If you change or deactivate your mobile number, you agree to promptly update your GrowTogether account information to prevent misdirected messages. Note that standard charges, data rates, and other fees from your wireless carrier may apply when accessing the Services via a mobile device. Additionally, downloading, installing, or using certain Services on a mobile device may be restricted by your carrier, and not all Services may be compatible with all carriers or devices.
C. Providing and Improving the Services
We use the information collected to operate, maintain, provide, and enhance our Services, such as enabling access to the Platform, providing customer support, and completing transactions.
D. Security and Fraud Prevention
We use the information collected to secure our Services, verify identity, prevent fraud, and continuously improve these security measures. This includes requesting your (mobile) phone number for multi-factor authentication when creating an account or setting up withdrawals as a beneficiary.
E. Analytics, Research, and Product Development
We use the information collected to analyze data usage trends and preferences to improve the accuracy, effectiveness, security, usability, and popularity of our Services. We may also use the collected information to train our AI/machine learning models and conduct research on customer demographics, interests, and behavior. To help users fundraise more effectively, we use machine learning and other analytics to infer certain characteristics of our users. These tools help tailor emails to you, prioritize and show causes and fundraisers that may interest you, and make suggestions about fundraising or donation amounts.
F. Customization and Marketing
We may use the information collected for customization and marketing purposes. For example, we may use device identifiers to understand how users interact with our Services, allowing us to personalize content, such as customizing the language and fundraisers on our homepage based on your location.
G. Legal
We use the information collected to defend our legal rights, comply with state, local, federal, or international laws, and enforce our Terms of Service and this Notice.
Disclosure of Information Collected Through the Services
Circumstances of Information Disclosure:
There are specific situations where we share information collected through our Services with designated third parties, without requiring further notification to you, as detailed below:
A. Business Transfers:
As GrowTogether evolves, we may engage in the sale or acquisition of businesses or assets. In events such as corporate sales, mergers, reorganizations, dissolutions, or related activities (e.g., due diligence in a transaction), user information may be included in the assets transferred.
B. Affiliates and Subsidiaries:
We share your personal information with the various entities under the GrowTogether umbrella, including our affiliates and subsidiaries, to ensure the consistent delivery of our Services. This includes activities such as hosting, marketing and promoting fundraisers, providing customer support, managing funds associated with fundraisers, verifying donor authenticity, sending communications, enhancing service offerings across GrowTogether entities, and executing other functions as outlined in this Notice.
C. Agents, Consultants, Vendors, and Related Third Parties:
GrowTogether collaborates with external companies to perform specific business-related functions on our behalf. We grant these companies access to your information so they can provide services for us. Examples include marketing, mailing information, data storage, security, identity verification, fraud prevention, payment processing, legal services, and database management.
D. Unaffiliated Partners and Linked Services:
We may share personal information with third parties that partner with us on various initiatives or offer services linked to your GrowTogether fundraiser. This includes Social Networking Services and their social media tools or "plug-ins," or other entities such as Caring Bridge or The Knot. When you interact with these third-party services (or donate to fundraisers linked to them), their use of your personal information is governed by their privacy notices. We strongly recommend reviewing these privacy notices carefully.
E. Legal Requirements:
We may disclose and preserve your information to comply with legal obligations, valid legal requests (e.g., subpoenas or court orders), or to address claims against us. This may be necessary to respond to criminal investigations, address suspected illegal activity, enforce our Terms of Service or other policies, or protect the rights, property, or safety of GrowTogether, its affiliates, employees, users, or the public.
F. Fundraiser Organizers and Beneficiaries:
We may share your information with the organizers and beneficiaries of fundraisers. For instance, if you donate to a fundraiser, we disclose your name and donation details to the organizer or beneficiary, who may contact you. Even if you choose to remain "anonymous" on public fundraiser pages, your name will still be visible to the organizer, their team, and the beneficiary, and will be processed in line with this Privacy Notice. If a fundraiser is for a charity, the charity can receive information about both the organizer and donors, and the organizer can receive donor information, solely for communication about the donation and compliance with legal and auditing requirements.
G. Your Consent:
In specific scenarios, we may share your information if you consent to such disclosure. For example, if we partner with third-party organizations for specific fundraisers and you consent to share your contact information, we will disclose your name, email address, and other relevant information to the partner organization.
H. Aggregated Data:
We aggregate, anonymize, and/or de-identify information collected from you, ensuring it no longer identifies you personally. This aggregated data is used for various lawful purposes, including research on customer demographics, interests, and behavior. We may also share this data with our affiliates, agents, business partners, research facilities, or other third parties.
I. Cookies and Other Electronic Technologies:
Information is disclosed as specified in the section titled “Cookies and Other Electronic Technologies.”
J. Other Users of Our Services:
We make your information available to other users of our Services if you choose to make it publicly accessible in areas such as your fundraiser or comments. This comprehensive disclosure ensures transparency and adherence to privacy standards, providing clarity on how and when your information might be shared within the scope of our Services.
VOLUNTEERED INFORMATION
Please note that certain details you provide may be publicly available, such as information posted in forums or comment sections. We also gather information through forums, communities, surveys, customer support interactions, and your communications to us regarding ideas for new products, changes to existing products, feedback, and other submissions (collectively referred to as “Volunteered Information”). By providing us with Volunteered Information, you acknowledge that we have no obligation of confidentiality, whether express or implied, regarding this information. This Volunteered Information clause will remain in effect even after your account or the Services are terminated.
CHILDREN
Our Services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13 (or 16 for children in Europe). If you are under 13 (or 16 for children in Europe), please do not use the Services or submit any information through them. If you believe that a child under 13 (or 16 in Europe) has provided personal information to GrowTogether via the Services, please contact us at support@growtogether.co.zw, and we will delete that information from our records as required by law.
LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES
The Services may contain links to other websites not operated or controlled by GrowTogether (the “Third-Party Sites”). Our policies and procedures do not apply to Third-Party Sites. The presence of links in the Services does not imply that GrowTogether endorses or has reviewed these Third-Party Sites. We recommend contacting those sites directly for information on their privacy policies.
SECURITY
Although no organization can guarantee perfect security, GrowTogether has implemented and continuously seeks to improve technical and organizational measures to protect the information provided via the Services from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. For more details, please see here.
CHANGES TO GROWTOGETHER’S PRIVACY NOTICE
GrowTogether reserves the right to revise or update this Notice at any time. We will inform you of any significant updates or changes we implement. If you do not agree with the revisions to the Notice, you may deactivate your account or stop using our Services. Please check this Notice regularly for any updates or modifications.
By continuing to use our Platform and Services after any updates or modifications, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the revised terms of the Notice.