1. Introduction
The World Startup Federation ("WSF," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, process, share, and protect your personal data when you access or use the WSF website located at worldstartupfederation.org and any related services, features, applications, community tools, networking systems, AI-assisted features, events, and resources (collectively, the "Services").
By registering for or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy should be read together with WSF's Terms & Conditions.
2. Data Controller
Personal information collected through the Services will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy and WSF's Terms & Conditions.
For privacy-related questions, requests, or concerns, please contact:
- Privacy Contact: privacy@worldstartupfederation.org
- General Inquiries: mail@worldstartupfederation.org
- Website: worldstartupfederation.org
3. Information We Collect
3.1 Information You Provide Directly
When you create an account, apply for membership, participate in the community, or use the Services, we may collect information including:
- Full name
- Email address
- Password (stored in encrypted or securely hashed form)
- Country or location
- Membership category
- Professional background, skills, and experience
- Startup or organization details
- Profile photo or avatar
- Content you submit through the platform
- Communications and messages
- Event registrations
- Survey responses, feedback, and support requests
3.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you access the Services, we may automatically collect certain technical and usage information, including:
- IP address
- Approximate location derived from IP
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- Pages visited and features used
- Usage activity and interaction logs
- Referring URLs
- Session duration and timestamps
- Cookie identifiers and similar tracking technologies
3.3 Information Related to Fred (AI Networking Assistant)
When you interact with Fred or other AI-assisted features, we may collect and process:
- Networking goals and preferences
- Profile attributes used for recommendations
- Interaction logs and prompts
- Connection requests and matchmaking activity
- Feedback relating to AI-assisted recommendations
Fred uses profile information, preferences, and interaction data to generate personalized networking and matchmaking recommendations.
These interactions may be logged and reviewed to improve platform functionality, recommendation quality, platform safety, and user experience.
WSF may use aggregated, de-identified, or privacy-protected data where appropriate to improve AI-assisted systems and platform operations.
Users should avoid sharing highly sensitive personal, financial, legal, confidential, proprietary, or regulated information through Fred unless necessary.
WSF does not use automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects without human oversight.
3.4 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from third parties including:
- Payment processors
- Event partners and ecosystem collaborators
- Authentication and social login providers
- Analytics and infrastructure providers
- Community and referral partners where you have consented to information sharing
WSF does not receive or store full payment card information.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information for purposes including:
4.1 Platform Operations
- Creating and managing user accounts
- Providing platform access and features
- Managing memberships and onboarding
- Facilitating community participation
- Processing payments and transactions
- Providing support and responding to inquiries
- Maintaining platform functionality and security
4.2 Networking and Matchmaking
- Powering Fred's AI-assisted networking recommendations
- Facilitating founder, investor, mentor, researcher, talent, and ecosystem connections
- Enabling profile discovery and networking functionality
- Recommending relevant events, resources, or opportunities
4.3 Platform Improvement and Analytics
- Understanding platform usage patterns
- Improving user experience and platform performance
- Identifying technical issues and abuse
- Conducting internal analytics and operational research
- Improving AI-assisted recommendation systems
4.4 Communications and Community Engagement
- Sending service announcements and account notifications
- Providing event information and updates
- Sharing newsletters, ecosystem updates, and community communications
- Responding to support requests and member inquiries
- Notifying users about policy or platform changes
Users may opt out of non-essential marketing communications where applicable.
4.5 Legal, Safety, and Compliance Purposes
- Complying with legal obligations
- Protecting platform security and integrity
- Preventing fraud, abuse, harassment, or misuse
- Enforcing Terms & Conditions and community standards
- Responding to lawful governmental or regulatory requests
5. Legal Bases for Processing
Where applicable under data protection laws such as the GDPR or similar frameworks, WSF processes personal data on lawful bases including contractual necessity, legitimate interests, consent, and legal obligation.
WSF is in the process of building the operational infrastructure to fully support these frameworks as the platform develops. Where consent is relied upon, users may withdraw it at any time. Users with rights under applicable law are encouraged to contact us directly.
Legitimate interests may include:
- Platform security
- Fraud prevention
- Service improvement
- Community safety
- Networking functionality
- Platform analytics
6. Data Sharing and Disclosure
6.1 With Other Members
Depending on your profile settings and platform functionality, portions of your profile may be visible, searchable, or recommended to other members in order to facilitate networking, collaboration, and matchmaking.
This may include:
- Name
- Membership category
- Country or location
- Professional background
- Startup or organization details
- Public profile content
Users may manage certain visibility settings through their accounts where such controls are available.
6.2 With Service Providers and Technology Partners
WSF may share data with trusted third-party providers supporting platform operations, including:
- Cloud hosting providers
- Analytics providers
- Infrastructure providers
- Email and communications platforms
- Payment processors
- AI and technology service providers
- Security and operational support providers
These providers are expected to process data only for authorized operational purposes and under appropriate confidentiality and security obligations.
6.3 With Partner Organizations
Where appropriate and with applicable consent or user participation, WSF may share relevant information with ecosystem partners including:
- Incubators and accelerators
- Event collaborators
- Government programs
- Universities and research organizations
- Ecosystem support organizations
Such sharing is intended to facilitate opportunities, participation, networking, or collaboration requested or reasonably expected by the user.
6.4 Legal and Regulatory Disclosures
WSF may disclose information where reasonably necessary to:
- Comply with legal obligations
- Respond to lawful requests
- Protect platform security
- Prevent fraud or misuse
- Protect the rights, safety, or property of WSF, its users, or the public
6.5 Organizational Changes
In the event of a merger, restructuring, transfer, or organizational transition involving WSF, user information may be transferred as part of that process, subject to applicable privacy protections.
6.6 No Sale of Personal Data
WSF does not sell personal data to third parties for their independent marketing or commercial purposes.
8. International Data Transfers
WSF operates as a global platform and user information may be processed, stored, or transferred across jurisdictions.
Where cross-border transfers occur, WSF aims to use reasonable safeguards appropriate to the nature of the transfer and applicable legal requirements.
Such safeguards may include:
- Contractual protections
- Recognized transfer mechanisms
- Use of reputable service providers
- Operational and security measures designed to protect data
By using the Services, you acknowledge that international transfers may occur.
9. Data Retention
WSF retains personal data for as long as reasonably necessary for:
- Platform operations
- Membership management
- Legal compliance
- Security and fraud prevention
- Operational analytics
- Community safety
- Dispute resolution
Examples may include:
- Account information retained during active membership and for a reasonable period afterward
- Transaction and financial records retained in accordance with legal or tax obligations
- Communications and support records retained for operational purposes
- Aggregated or de-identified analytics retained for platform improvement
Retention periods may vary depending on legal, operational, technical, or security requirements.
When data is no longer reasonably required, WSF aims to securely delete, anonymize, or de-identify it.
10. Your Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights including:
- Access to your personal data
- Correction of inaccurate information
- Deletion of personal data
- Restriction of processing
- Objection to certain processing activities
- Data portability
- Withdrawal of consent where processing is based on consent
- Complaint to a relevant supervisory authority
Requests may be submitted to: privacy@worldstartupfederation.org
WSF may require reasonable verification of identity before fulfilling certain requests.
11. Data Security
WSF implements reasonable technical and organisational safeguards designed to help protect personal data from unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
Security measures may include:
- Secure HTTPS connections
- Encryption or hashing of passwords and sensitive credentials
- Access controls and permissions management
- Monitoring and security procedures
- Operational safeguards and incident response measures
However, no platform or method of transmission can guarantee absolute security.
Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials and notifying WSF of suspected unauthorized access.
Where required by applicable law, WSF may notify affected users and relevant authorities in the event of certain data breaches.
12. Children's Privacy
The Services are not directed to children under the age of 18.
WSF does not knowingly collect personal data from children under 18 without appropriate authorization where required.
If WSF becomes aware that data relating to a child under 18 has been improperly collected, reasonable steps will be taken to delete such information.
13. Third-Party Links and Services
The Services may contain links to third-party websites, programs, tools, or external resources.
This Privacy Policy applies only to WSF's Services.
WSF is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party services.
Users should review the privacy policies of external services before sharing personal information.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
WSF may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Where material changes are made, WSF may provide notice through:
- Email notifications
- Platform announcements
- Notices published on the Site
The "Last Updated" date reflects the latest revision.
Continued use of the Services after updates become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
15. Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or privacy-related requests, please contact:
- World Startup Federation
- Privacy Contact: privacy@worldstartupfederation.org
- General Inquiries: mail@worldstartupfederation.org
- Website: worldstartupfederation.org
If you are located in a jurisdiction that provides the right to contact a supervisory authority or regulator regarding privacy concerns, you may also contact the relevant authority in your jurisdiction.