Privacy Policy
Last updated: 2026

The African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI, “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of everyone who interacts with our website and services. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the rights available to you under the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

By using this website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

 

  1. Who We Are

ABI is a pan-African distributed research and training institute working across health, agriculture, environment, and One Health bioinformatics. Our Information Officer, appointed in terms of POPIA, can be contacted using the details in Section 12 below.

 

  1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information, depending on how you interact with our website:

  • Contact details: name, email address, institution, country, and job title, when you submit a form, subscribe to updates, or contact us directly.
  • Application and profile information: details submitted through training programme applications, Group Leader profiles, or community submissions.
  • Technical information: IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited, collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies.
  • Communications: any information you provide when corresponding with us by email or through the website.

We do not knowingly collect special personal information (such as health, biometric, or genetic data about identifiable individuals) through this website.

 

  1. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • Respond to enquiries and provide requested information
  • Process applications for training, membership, or collaboration opportunities
  • Maintain and publish Group Leader and community profiles, with consent
  • Send newsletters or updates, where you have opted in
  • Improve website functionality and user experience
  • Meet legal, regulatory, or reporting obligations to funders and partners

 

  1. Legal Basis for Processing

In line with POPIA, we process personal information on one or more of the following grounds:

  • You have given consent for a specific purpose
  • Processing is necessary to perform a contract or agreement with you
  • Processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation
  • Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, or those of a third party, provided this does not override your rights

 

  1. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell personal information. We may share information with:

  • Partner institutions and funders involved in ABI’s network, where necessary for collaboration or reporting
  • Service providers who support our website, hosting, or communications, under confidentiality obligations
  • Regulators or authorities, where required by law

 

  1. Cross-Border Transfers

As a pan-African institute working with researchers, partners, and infrastructure across multiple countries, personal information may be transferred to, stored, or processed in countries other than South Africa. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure recipients apply data protection standards consistent with POPIA.

 

  1. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. While we take security seriously, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

 

  1. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law, funder agreements, or legitimate record-keeping needs.

 

  1. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

  • Be informed that your personal information is being collected and processed
  • Access the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction or updating of inaccurate or outdated information
  • Request deletion or destruction of personal information no longer needed for its original purpose
  • Object to the processing of your personal information, on reasonable grounds
  • Withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent, without affecting processing already carried out

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

 

  1. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support functionality and understand how the site is used. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website features.

 

  1. Children’s Privacy

This website is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children without the consent of a parent or guardian, as required under POPIA.

 

  1. Contact Us and Complaints

If you have questions about this policy, or wish to exercise your rights under POPIA, please contact: info@bioinformaticsinstitute.africa

 

Information Officer

If you believe your personal information has been handled unlawfully, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa:

 

The Information Regulator (South Africa) Email: [complaints.IR@justice.gov.za, confirm current address] Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

 

  1. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The date of the most recent update is shown at the top of this page.