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We, ITU, take the protection of your personal data very seriously. We aim for the highest standards of privacy and security, and we are committed to being transparent about how we process and use your data. As the data controller, ITU is responsible for the processing of personal data of the app users (“you”) in accordance with the UN Personal Data Protection and Privacy Principles of 2018. (Opens in new tab)
The app, “AskMe! Your online safety friend (Opens in new tab)”, addressed to children aged 13 to 18. This web application will act as a virtual friend, providing useful information and resources on key online safety issues in the format of interactive storylines and conversations. The goal is to provide children with a better understanding of their rights online and to strengthen their skills to navigate the online world safely. Our collaborators for this project are UNICEF and CyberTrust.
“You”, means the child using the app.
This page explains how your data is collected, stored and used, and what steps we take to ensure the security of your data when you use the app.
By using the app, you agree to the collection and use of your information in relation to this policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy and the use of our cookies, please do not use the app.
If you have any questions or suggestions related to this Privacy Policy, please email: cop@itu.int (Opens in new tab)
The term “Personal Data” comprises all information that can be used to personally identify you, either directly – such as your first and last name or your email address – or indirectly – such as your location data, IP address or cookie identifier.
If you are under 18, take the time to read this Privacy Policy with your parent or guardian before using the app, and do not use the app if you or your parent or guardian disagrees with any part of these terms or the Privacy Policy.
ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies, and it enjoys privileges and immunities. This means, for example, that we are not subject to national laws but we follow our own internal policies, regulations and rules in all areas, including data protection. We are committed to connecting all the world’s people – including children, wherever they live in a safe and meaningful way – and create a safe and empowering online environment for children and young people.
Through our work we aim to raise awareness on children’s rights online, share knowledge, and support the development of the necessary skills for children and their communities to fully benefit from the opportunities of the online environment.
This product was developed and is owned by ITU. ITU is delivering this product for free.
When you register for the first time into the app, we ask you to create a username and a password. We encourage you to create a username that doesn’t disclose your real name or any information that could identify you.
Once logged in the app, you can update your profile in the app and share with us the following personal information:
Note that this is totally optional.
We request this information from you to understand the age ranges and gender of users who use the app and if we are reaching the right audiences. This information will also allow us to extend the localisation of the app to new users and geographical areas.
We collect, via Matomo, an open-source analytic system (see section below on How we collect your data) information on the visitor profile to understand what the journey of an active user looks like. We collect information on the device, browser, operating system you are using to access the app as well as your country. No IP addresses are collected by ITU.
We collect this data to measure and analyse the usage of the app by our users. This will help us understand how we can improve your experience in the future, adapt and improve content and features, design and draft new content and new features as well as improve the quality of the products in terms of features, content, safety and accessibility for users.
We may ask your feedback about the app through questions and surveys, that you may choose to fill or not, for example, on the performance of the app, the usefulness of the information and your experience using the app. This information is used to help us improve our services.
We will ensure that the frequency and content of polls and surveys are not becoming a nuisance to you and are not collecting additional personal data unnecessarily.
The data provided in surveys will not be linked to specific usernames.
We may certainly use the aggregated information collected through the app (information that cannot identify individuals) for statistical analysis and research studies intended to improve our understanding of young people’s use of technology and digital tools as well as knowledge on online safety.
This aggregated information may be shared with third parties, such as our partners, supporters, educators and researchers through conferences, journals, and other publications to inform their related work and raise awareness about child online protection.
No personal information will ever be transferred or shared with a third-party entity.
We use Matomo, an open-source analytic system to help us collect some data to understand how you use the app and to help us improve it. Thanks to this information, we will adapt and improve content and features, extend product localisation to new users and geographical areas and improve the quality of the app.
The app requires to install some cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the app. Some cookies are essential for the functioning of the app and you cannot choose not to have them installed. Other cookies relate to your usage of the app, and you may choose to have these installed. IP addresses are collected by Matomo but are not shared with ITU. All data collected via Matomo remains on Matomo cloud servers.
We take precautions and measures to maintain the security and confidentiality of your personal data. These include putting in place appropriate organisational, administrative and physical safeguards and procedures to protect your personal data, including against or from unauthorised or accidental access, damage, loss or other risks associated with its processing. We periodically test such safeguards and procedures to validate their effectiveness.
The app has been developed by ITU. All data within the App are stored in cloud servers of Pagely, an ITU service provider, with the exception of the analytics data that are stored in the cloud servers of Matomo, also an ITU service provider (see section above on “How we collect your data”) .
When your personal data is processed by Pagely and Matomo, which are ITU service providers, we satisfy ourselves that such parties afford appropriate protection with respect to the processing of personal information.
Personal data will be kept for as long as an account remains active. At the end of each calendar year, personal data of inactive accounts (not activity for at least six months) will be aggregated so that individuals can no longer be identified. Following aggregation, the raw data of those inactive accounts will be immediately deleted.
Once data is deleted it can no longer be reconstructed.
You can choose the information you share with us when you register for the first time and when you update your profile.
If you do not want to share any or certain pieces of information, you may choose not to provide it, leave the app at any point by closing the tab, window, or navigating away from the app.
Once you share your personal information with us (for example, your username), you have the following rights:
When you make any request about your personal data, we will need to assess your request. We may not always be able to comply with your request, for example for reasons of public interest, safety, security or compliance with ITU internal or contractual requirements. In any event, we will inform you as soon as possible of the outcome of your request.
If you have any questions, requests or concerns about this notice please contact us by emailing: cop@itu.int
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make changes to our privacy practices, we will post a notification on the app to alert you that the Privacy Policy has been amended.
Changes will be effective immediately upon posting them to the app. The “Last updated” date at the bottom of this page indicates when this Privacy Policy was last reviewed. Your continued use of the app following these changes means that you accept the revised Privacy Policy.
Feel free to contact us if you require further information about this Privacy Policy.
To contact us please email: cop@itu.int (Opens in new tab)
Last updated: 12 June 2023