Privacy

Privacy

 

Website Privacy Notice

 

Last updated: May 2021

Introduction

SME Finance Forum (the “Site”) is an offering of the International Finance Corporation (also referred to herein as “IFC”, “us” or “we”), a member organization of the World Bank Group (“WBG”). Information about IFC and our mission can be found at this link.

IFC is strongly committed to protecting privacy. Please review this Privacy Notice (this “Notice”) for an explanation of IFC’s privacy practices for the Site. This Notice describes the Personal Data that we collect from users (“user” or “you”) who access or use the Site and how we use, share and protect that Personal Data. “Personal Data” is information that identifies or may be used to identify you as an individual.

Note, this Notice applies exclusively to the Site and does not apply to other IFC websites, applications or practices.

Acceptance of These Privacy Terms

BY USING THE SITE, YOU ARE CONFIRMING THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE NOTICE TERMS, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SITE.

We may update this Notice at any time. Changes to this Notice will be dated and will be effective from the date specified forward so that users are always aware of what personal data we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances we disclose it. You are advised to check our Privacy Notice regularly for updates. If you visit the Site following the effective date of the revised Notice, you will be deemed to have accepted the Notice’s updated terms.

I. What Personal Data Does IFC Collect?

When you access or otherwise use the Site, we may collect Personal Data about you and your interaction with the Site. We may collect Personal Data about you through: (A) information you provide; (B) automatic tracking technologies; and (C) third parties.

Personal Data You Provide

When you access the Site, you may choose to provide Personal Data about yourself such as your: name, address, email address, telephone number, job title, company name and credit card details. By way of example, you may choose to provide your information in the following circumstances:

  • To register or otherwise access the Site or certain portions or features of the Site (Members Portal);
  • To request support;
  • To subscribe to newsletters;
  • To enter or answer quick surveys, quizzes or benchmarking surveys;
  • To register for events and conferences;

Automatically Collected Personal Data

We may use online identification technologies, such as cookies on some pages of our Site (“Tracking Technologies”). The information we collect using these technologies includes IP address. Cookies are small text files placed on the hard drive of your device that assist us in providing a more customized website experience. For example, a cookie can be used to store registration information so that its user does not need to re-enter it on subsequent visits. You can set your browser to accept all cookies, to reject all cookies, or to notify you whenever a cookie is offered so that you can decide each time whether to accept it (for more information about cookies, please visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org).

Third-Party Analytics

We may also use website analytics providers which may set cookies in your browser. Site activity information collected by these analytics providers may be combined with Personal Data held by IFC.

When we send you emails, we may use third-party technologies to determine whether the email has been opened and whether the links contained within the message have been clicked on. We may combine information collected through these means with other information we maintain about you in order to measure interest in our specific offerings and email campaigns, improve our offerings to specific target audiences, and tailor our interactions with you.

II. How Does IFC Use the Personal Data it Collects?

We may use the Personal Data that we collect about you for any or all of the following purposes:

  • To confirm your purchases and registrations on the Site;
  • To communicate with you regarding events, resources or services that may be available to you;
  • To help us operate and improve the Site, such as by analyzing Site visitor trends, including usage of certain pages or functions on the Site;
  • To protect against fraud, spam, harassment, intellectual property infringement, crime and security risks; and
  • To maintain and improve the safety and security of the Site.

III. With Whom Does IFC Share the Personal Data It Collects?

We may share the Personal Data that we collect about you as follows:

A. World Bank Group Entities. To fulfill IFC’s mission as stated in its Articles of Agreement, we share Personal Data with other affiliates of the World Bank Group.

B. Service Providers. We share Personal Data with unaffiliated third parties who provide us with services, such as those entities that assist us with technology, data analysis, website hosting/administration or similar services. We do not share Personal Data with unaffiliated third parties for their own marketing purposes, except with respect to events and publications as set forth below.

C. Events and Publications. We may also share Personal Data with co-sponsors of IFC events and publications related to the Site.

D. Remedies and Enforcement. We may use or disclose Personal Data as we believe to be appropriate in the following circumstances: (i) to enforce the terms and conditions for use of the Site, including this Notice; (ii) to protect and defend our rights and property; (iii) to protect the interests of IFC or others; and (iv) to permit us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that we may sustain.

IV. How Can You Manage Personal Data We Maintain?

If you would like to review, correct, update or remove Personal Data about you that you previously provided to us through the Site, you may submit new information by updating your Personal Data via your account settings. Please note that we are not responsible for correcting, updating or deleting any information in the databases of third parties.

Should you wish to unsubscribe from our mailing list or any registrations, we will provide instructions within the appropriate area of the Site or in communications to you; or you may contact us at: smefinanceforum@ifc.org

V. How Does IFC Protect and Maintain Personal Data Collected Through the Site?

We use reasonable organizational, technical and administrative measures to help protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of the Personal Data collected through the Site and under our control. However, no data transmission over the Internet or data storage system can be guaranteed to be fully secure. Please do not send us Personal Data you consider sensitive through the Site.  In addition, we limit access to your Personal Data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know and subject to appropriate contractual restrictions.

VI. Use of the Site by Children. The Site is not directed to children. If you are a minor, please do not submit any Personal Data to us.

VII. International Transfers of Information. By using the Site, you are deemed to understand and consent to the collection and processing of your Personal Data in the United States or elsewhere.

VIII. Contacting Us. If you have any questions or concerns related to this Privacy Notice or the information practices of the Site, please send us an e-mail at smefinanceforum@ifc.org or write to us at the address below.

Financial Institution Group
International Finance Corporation
2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States of America

IX. More Information and Data Privacy Office. For more information on IFC’s approach to personal data protection, including how to directly contact or request information from IFC’s Data Privacy Office, please visit ifc.org/privacy.