Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 1, 2024

1. Introduction

GoldChain ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our blockchain-based gold traceability platform.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

  • Account information (name, email, phone number)
  • Mining license and certification documents
  • Business information (company name, tax ID)
  • Transaction data (gold weight, origin, destination)
  • GPS coordinates and location data

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

  • Device information and IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Usage data and analytics
  • Blockchain transaction records

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

  • Provide and maintain our gold traceability services
  • Verify mining licenses and regulatory compliance
  • Process and record gold transactions on the blockchain
  • Detect and prevent illegal mining and smuggling
  • Generate compliance reports for regulatory authorities
  • Improve platform security and user experience
  • Send important updates and notifications

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 With Your Consent

We share information with third parties when you explicitly consent.

4.2 Regulatory Authorities

We may share information with government agencies (including the Ghana Gold Board) as required for compliance with Act 1140 and other applicable regulations.

4.3 Business Partners

Verified buyers and supply chain participants may access transaction data necessary for their legitimate business purposes.

4.4 Legal Requirements

We disclose information when required by law or to protect our rights and safety.

5. Blockchain and Data Immutability

Important: Transaction data recorded on the blockchain is immutable and cannot be deleted or modified. This is a fundamental feature ensuring transparency and preventing fraud. Personal identifiers are encrypted or hashed before being recorded on-chain.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including:

  • End-to-end encryption for data transmission
  • Secure cloud infrastructure with redundancy
  • Multi-factor authentication for user accounts
  • Regular security audits and penetration testing
  • Role-based access controls

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request corrections to inaccurate data
  • Request deletion of account data (subject to legal retention requirements)
  • Object to certain data processing activities
  • Export your data in a portable format
  • Withdraw consent for optional data processing

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Blockchain transaction records are retained indefinitely due to the immutable nature of blockchain technology.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes via email or platform notification. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your rights, contact us at:

  • Email: privacy@goldchain.com
  • Phone: +233 XX XXX XXXX
  • Address: GoldChain Ghana, Accra, Ghana