Privacy Policy


Last Updated: 01/01/2026


Introduction

Jatiya Sangbadik Sangstha(JSS) ("JSS," "we," "us," or "our") is a non-political, non-profit, national-level journalists' organization in Bangladesh, established on 12 February 1982. We are committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of every individual who visits or interacts with our website and online platforms.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and what rights you have regarding your personal data. By using our Website, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.


1) Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

a) Information You Provide Directly

  • Personal identification information: Full name, father's/mother's name, date of birth, gender, nationality
  • Contact information: Phone number, email address, mailing/home address
  • Professional information: Current media organization, designation, years of experience, area of journalism (print/broadcast/online), press card/accreditation details
  • Account credentials: Username and password (if account registration is available)
  • Payment information: Transaction ID, payment method (bKash/Nagad/bank/card), amount paid (we do not store full card/banking credentials)
  • Application/form data: Membership application forms, event registration forms, training enrollment forms, complaint/grievance submissions, contact form messages
  • Documents submitted: National ID (NID), press card, photographs, or other documents uploaded during membership/verification processes

b) Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Website, we may automatically collect:

  • Device & browser information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version
  • Usage data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring/exit pages
  • IP address & location data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
  • Cookies & tracking data: Session cookies, preference cookies, analytics data (see Section 6 on Cookies)

c) Information from Third Parties

  • Payment gateway data: Payment confirmation status from third-party processors (bKash, Nagad, bank gateways, etc.)
  • Social media: If you interact with us through social media platforms, we may receive publicly available profile information

2) How We Use Your Information

JSS uses the collected information for the following purposes:

Purpose

Examples

Membership management

Processing applications, issuing member IDs, maintaining member records

Communication

Sending confirmations, notices, updates, newsletters, and alerts

Event & training management

Registrations, attendance, certificates, follow-ups

Payment processing

Verifying and recording transactions, issuing receipts

Legal assistance

Supporting member safety, rights, or complaint handling cases

Welfare fund management

Processing welfare support requests

Website improvement

Analyzing usage patterns to improve content and user experience

Security & fraud prevention

Detecting misuse, unauthorized access, or fraudulent activity

Compliance & legal obligations

Meeting requirements under applicable Bangladeshi law

Research & publications

Preparing statistical reports (data used anonymously/aggregated)

We will not use your personal information for any purpose not described in this Policy without your prior consent.


3) Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

  • Your consent: Where you have given clear consent (e.g., subscribing to newsletters, submitting a membership form)
  • Contractual necessity: To fulfill our obligations when you apply for membership, register for an event, or make a payment
  • Legitimate interests: To improve our services, protect organizational security, and maintain accurate records
  • Legal obligation: Where processing is required by applicable law or regulatory authority in Bangladesh

4) How We Share Your Information

JSS does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share limited information with:

a) Service Providers & Partners

  • Payment gateways (bKash, Nagad, bank processors) to process transactions
  • Email/SMS service providers for communications
  • Cloud storage/hosting providers for website operations
  • Training/event co-organizers (limited, relevant data only—e.g., participant lists)

All third-party service providers are required to handle your data securely and only for the specified purpose.

b) Legal & Regulatory Authorities

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or regulatory authority, or to protect JSS's legal rights and the safety of our members and the public.

c) Within JSS

Authorized JSS staff, committee members, and administrators may access your data only as needed to carry out their official duties.


5) Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary:

Data Type

Retention Period

Membership records

Duration of membership + [3–7] years after expiry

Event/training registration

[1–3] years from the date of the event

Payment records

[5–7] years (for accounting/legal compliance)

Contact form submissions

[1–2] years

Website usage/analytics

[12–24] months

Legal/complaint case files

As required by applicable law

After the retention period, data is securely deleted or anonymized.


6) Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our Website may use cookies and similar tracking tools to enhance your experience.

Types of cookies we may use:

Cookie Type

Purpose

Essential cookies

Required for basic website functions (navigation, login sessions)

Preference cookies

Remember your language, settings, or location preferences

Analytics cookies

Understand how visitors use the site (e.g., Google Analytics)

Security cookies

Protect the website and detect fraud/misuse

Your cookie choices:
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality. Where required by law, we will seek your consent before placing non-essential cookies.


7) Data Security

JSS takes the protection of your personal data seriously. We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures, including:

  • Encrypted connections (HTTPS/SSL) for data transmission
  • Access controls ensuring only authorized personnel can access personal data
  • Secure storage of sensitive documents and records
  • Regular security reviews of our systems and practices
  • Staff awareness of data privacy responsibilities

While we take all reasonable precautions, no online platform can guarantee 100% security. We encourage you to protect your login credentials and notify us immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access.


8) Your Rights

As a user and/or member, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right

Description

Right to Access

Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you

Right to Correction

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

Right to Deletion

Request deletion of your data (subject to legal/operational retention requirements)

Right to Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent for optional data processing (e.g., marketing emails) at any time

Right to Object

Object to processing of your data for certain purposes

Right to Data Portability

Request your data in a commonly used format (where technically feasible)

Right to Complain

Lodge a complaint with JSS or a relevant authority if you believe your data rights have been violated

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 12.


9) Children's Privacy

Our Website and services are intended for adults and working journalists. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18 years of age. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a minor, we will promptly delete it.


10) Third-Party Links

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, or payment gateways. JSS is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party site you visit.


11) Changes to This Privacy Policy

JSS may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will:

  • Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
  • Post a visible notice on the Website (where appropriate)
  • Notify registered members via email (where feasible)