Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Ark Social Security Program Inc., an association incorporated in Papua New Guinea (Registration No. 5-138433013), collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information when you visit or interact with our website at www.assp.com (the "Site"), submit an inquiry or registration form, download documents, contact us, or otherwise engage with our programs.

By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

2. Who We Are

Ark Social Security Program Inc. is a not-for-profit association incorporated under the laws of Papua New Guinea, operating community programs across education, health, economic empowerment, land and settlement support, and community infrastructure.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information you voluntarily submit through the Site, including:

• Inquiry / Registration forms: full name, email address, phone number, city and province, and any message or details you provide.
• Document download requests: the same contact details, collected before access to certain documents (e.g., our constitution) is granted.
• Donations or contributions (if made through the Site): name, contact details, and payment-related information processed via our third-party payment provider (see Section 6).
• Correspondence: any information you provide when you email us, call us, or otherwise contact us directly.

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect:

• IP address, browser type, device type, and operating system.
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, referring/exit pages, and click activity.
• Approximate location derived from IP address.
• Information collected via cookies and similar technologies (see Section 9).

3.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive limited information about you from partner organizations, government agencies, or community leaders when they refer a case, request, or inquiry to us on your behalf.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to inquiries, registration requests, and document requests.
• Process and administer program applications (education, health, economic empowerment, land/settlement, and infrastructure initiatives).
• Verify eligibility for assistance or program participation.
• Communicate with you about your inquiry, application, or our programs.
• Process donations and issue acknowledgements or receipts.
• Maintain internal records required for our governance, reporting, and compliance obligations as a registered association.
• Improve and secure the Site and monitor for misuse.
• Comply with legal, regulatory, or governmental requests.

We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects without human review.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Where applicable, we process personal information on the basis of: your consent (e.g., submitting a form), our legitimate interest in operating and improving our programs and Site, performance of an arrangement you have requested (e.g., a program application), and compliance with legal obligations applicable to a registered PNG association.

6. How We Share Your Information

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

• Service providers who help us operate the Site, host our data, send communications, or process payments (e.g., our website host and any payment processor), under obligations to protect your information.
• Program partners (such as partner banks, land authorities, health or education partners) strictly where necessary to deliver a program or service you have applied for, and only with your knowledge.
• Government or regulatory authorities, where required by Papua New Guinea law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of ASSP, our beneficiaries, or the public.
• Successor entities, in the event of a restructuring, merger, or transfer of ASSP's operations, subject to this Policy continuing to apply to your information.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Policy, meet our legal and reporting obligations as a registered association, and resolve disputes. Inquiry and registration data not leading to an active program relationship is retained for no longer than 12–24 months, after which it is deleted or anonymized, unless a longer period is required by law.

8. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Site may use cookies and similar technologies to operate core functionality, remember preferences, and understand how visitors use the Site (analytics). You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling cookies may limit some features of the Site.

10. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Object to certain uses of your information.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at assp@gmail.com. We will respond within a reasonable time.

11. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children through the Site. Where our programs involve minors (e.g., education initiatives), information is collected only through and with the consent of a parent, guardian, or authorized institution.

12. International Data Transfers

If the Site or our service providers store or process data outside Papua New Guinea (for example, on servers located in another country), we take steps to ensure such information continues to receive an appropriate level of protection consistent with this Policy.

13. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, including partner organizations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties and encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last Updated" date above, and, where appropriate, through a notice on the Site. Continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact: