Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how YES Awards collects, uses, discloses and protects personal data in connection with our website and the operation of our youth recognition programme (the “Programme”). We are committed to handling personal data responsibly and in accordance with applicable law.

Who We Are

YES Awards is operated by YES Events FZE LLC, a free zone company registered at SPC Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”). For the purposes of applicable data-protection law, the Company is the controller responsible for personal data processed through the Programme.

Scope

This Policy applies to personal data we process about visitors to our website, nominators, nominees (including minors), parents and guardians, referees, and other individuals who interact with the Programme.

Definitions

• “Personal Data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
• “Processing” means any operation performed on personal data, such as collection, use, storage, disclosure or deletion.
• “Data Subject” means the individual to whom personal data relates.
• “Controller” and “Processor” have the meanings given under applicable data-protection law.

Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• Identity and contact details — name, email address, telephone number, organisation, role, city and country.
• Nominee information — name, date of birth and age, school or institution, grade/year, biography, and related details provided as part of a nomination.
• Parent/guardian information — name, relationship to the nominee, and contact details, where the nominee is a minor.
• Referee information — name, professional title, organisation and contact details.
• Project and supporting information — descriptions, narratives, metrics, documents, images and media submitted in support of a nomination.
• Technical and usage data — such as IP address, device and browser information, and website usage collected through cookies and similar technologies.
• Communications — correspondence and enquiries you send to us.

How We Collect Information

We collect personal data directly from you when you submit a nomination, provide consent, act as a referee, or contact us; from nominators and referees who provide information about a nominee; and automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you use our website.

Purposes and Legal Bases

We process personal data to:

• receive, administer, verify and assess nominations, and operate the jury and selection process;
• obtain and record parental or guardian consent where required;
• communicate with nominators, nominees, guardians and referees;
• recognise, felicitate and, with consent, publicise awardees;
• safeguard children and young people and respond to concerns;
• operate, secure and improve our website and services; and
• comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

We rely, as applicable, on your consent, the performance of a contract or steps taken at your request, our legitimate interests in operating the Programme, and compliance with legal obligations, as lawful bases for processing.

Children’s Personal Data

Because the Programme recognises young people, we may process the personal data of minors. Where a nominee is a minor, we require verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, we apply the principle of data minimisation, and we handle such data with additional care and confidentiality, consistent with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enable core functionality, remember preferences, and understand how the website is used. You can manage cookies through your browser settings; disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

How We Share Information

We do not sell personal data. We may share personal data with: authorised jury and assessment members on a need-to-know basis (guardian and referee contact details are withheld from jury members); service providers and processors who act on our behalf under appropriate confidentiality and data-protection obligations; competent authorities where required by law or to protect a child; and successors in the event of a corporate reorganisation, subject to this Policy.

International Transfers

As nominations are welcomed from around the world, personal data may be transferred to, and processed in, jurisdictions other than your own. Where we transfer personal data internationally, we take reasonable steps to ensure an appropriate level of protection consistent with applicable law.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy any legal, accounting or reporting requirements, after which it is securely deleted or anonymised.

Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or alteration. No method of transmission or storage is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to access your personal data; to request correction or deletion; to object to or request restriction of processing; to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and to request a copy of certain data. To exercise a right, please contact us using the details below. A parent or guardian may exercise rights on behalf of a minor.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites, and we encourage you to review their policies.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. The current version and its effective date will be published on our website.

Contact

For privacy enquiries or to exercise your rights, contact: YES Events FZE LLC, SPC Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates — Email: privacy@yesawards.org (or Support@yesawards.org).