This Privacy Policy is designed for Dəˈskəs (pronounced Discuss), a platform rooted in co-design and community trust. Given that your primary users are Kenyan adolescents and young people, this document balances legal rigor with transparency, ensuring users understand how their data contributes to both their wellness and broader scientific research.

Privacy Policy for Dəˈskəs

Effective Date: January 27, 2026

Last Updated: January 27, 2026

Welcome to Dəˈskəs. Your privacy is a cornerstone of our co-designed community. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information, especially as we work together to improve youth mental health through research.

1. Information We Collect

To provide a personalized and safe experience, we collect the following types of data:

• Account Information: Username (pseudonyms encouraged), age, gender identity, and contact information (mobile number or email).
• Health & Wellness Data: Information you voluntarily share regarding stress levels, self-care habits, and wellness goals.
• Community Interactions: Posts, comments, and peer-to-peer interactions within the safe spaces.
• Usage Data: Technical logs, including how you navigate the platform and which health resources you access most frequently.

2. How We Use Your Data

We use your information to:

• Deliver tailored mental health resources and peer-learning opportunities.
• Maintain a safe, moderated environment for Kenyan youth.
• Improve platform functionality based on user habits.
• Conduct research and impact analysis (see Section 4).

3. Peer Privacy & Community Conduct

Because Dəˈskəs is a social space, privacy is a collective responsibility.

• Anonymity: We encourage the use of avatars and pseudonyms to protect your identity from other users.
• Safe Spaces: While we moderate content for safety, information shared in public forums is visible to other members of the Dəˈskəs community.

4. Use of Data for Research and Evaluation

Dəˈskəs is not just a tool; it is a pioneer in digital health. To improve mental health outcomes for youth in Kenya and globally, we use data for scientific research.

• De-identification: Before any data is shared with research partners, we remove "personally identifiable information" (PII). Your name and phone number are replaced with a unique ID number.
• Research Goals: Data may be analyzed to identify trends in youth wellness, the effectiveness of peer-led support, and the cultural relevance of digital interventions.
• Institutional Review Board (IRB) Oversight: Any formal research study utilizing Dəˈskəs data is subject to ethical approval by a recognized Kenyan research ethics committee.
• Publication: Findings may be published in academic journals or reports, but individual users will never be identified.

5. Data Storage and Security

We take your trust seriously and implement industry-standard protections:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted both while it is being sent to us and while it sits on our servers.
• Access Control: Only authorized staff managing the Dəˈskəs platform have access to raw data.
• Local Compliance: We operate in accordance with the Kenya Data Protection Act (2019).

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have control over your information:

• Access & Correction: You can view or update your profile at any time.
• Data Portability: You may request a copy of the data you have provided.
• Right to Withdraw: You can delete your account at any time. If you do, we will stop collecting new data. Note: Data already anonymized for ongoing research studies may not be erasable once the "de-identification" process is complete.

7. Consent for Minors

In alignment with Kenyan law and the participatory nature of this platform, users under the age of 18 may require parental or guardian consent to participate in specific research modules, depending on the sensitivity of the data collected.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or how your data is used for research, please reach out to our Data Protection Officer at:

Email: privacy@consultinhealthinformatics.co.ke

Location: Nairobi, Kenya