Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to the Barangay North Signal Information Portal. We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit and use our website and services.

This policy applies to all information collected through our website, mobile application (if applicable), and any related services, sales, marketing, or events (collectively referred to as "Services").

Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us when using our services, as well as information automatically collected when you visit our website.

Personal Information You Provide

When you register for an account or request barangay documents and services, we may collect:

• Identification Information: Full name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, civil status
• Contact Information: Address, phone number, email address
• Identification Documents: Government-issued IDs, birth certificates, or other supporting documents
• Photographs: ID photos and profile pictures
• Employment Information: Occupation, employer details (when applicable)
• Family Information: Spouse name, number of dependents, guardian information (when required)
• Financial Information: Income details (for specific certificate requests only)

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for various legitimate purposes related to barangay services and operations:

Primary Purposes

• Service Delivery: To process your document requests (Barangay Clearance, IDs, Certificates, etc.)
• Account Management: To create and maintain your user account
• Verification: To verify your identity and residency status
• Communication: To notify you about your application status, important announcements, and emergency alerts
• Records Management: To maintain accurate barangay records and databases

Secondary Purposes

• To improve our website functionality and user experience
• To analyze website usage and traffic patterns
• To detect and prevent fraud or unauthorized access
• To comply with legal obligations and government requirements
• To respond to law enforcement requests when required by law
• To conduct statistical analysis for barangay planning and development

Cookie Policy

By entering and using this site, you agree to the use of all first-party and third-party cookies (or similar technologies) that help us improve your browsing experience, measure our audience, and collect information in order to offer you our services in accordance with your preferences.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to the website owners.

Types of Cookies We Use

1. Essential Cookies (Required)

These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as:

• User authentication and login sessions
• Security features and fraud prevention
• Form submission and data validation
• Network management and load balancing

2. Performance Cookies

These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website:

• Most visited pages and navigation patterns
• Error messages encountered
• Loading times and performance metrics
• User interaction patterns

3. Functionality Cookies

These cookies allow our website to remember your preferences:

• Language preferences
• Display settings (font size, layout)
• Previously entered form data
• Notification preferences

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are placed by third-party services that appear on our pages, including:

• Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter)
• Analytics providers (Google Analytics)
• Map services (Google Maps)
• Embedded content providers

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can configure or disable cookies at any time through:

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings:

• Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions

Cookie Retention Periods

• Session cookies: Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them
• Essential cookies: Typically expire after your session ends or within 24 hours
• Analytics cookies: Usually expire after 2 years

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Government Agencies

• Taguig City Government offices for verification and coordination
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for civil registration purposes
• Law enforcement agencies when required by law or court order
• Other government agencies for legitimate governmental functions

With Service Providers

• IT service providers for website hosting and maintenance
• Cloud storage providers for secure data backup
• Payment processors for fee collection (if applicable)
• SMS and email service providers for notifications

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when we believe it is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Respond to legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of the barangay, residents, or others
• Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing
• Enforce our terms and conditions

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention Periods

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active
• Document Requests: Kept according to barangay record-keeping requirements (typically 5-10 years)
• Transaction Logs: Retained for 3 years for audit purposes
• Website Analytics: Aggregated data retained for 2 years

Your Rights Under the Data Privacy Act

As a data subject under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, you have the following rights:

Right to Information

You have the right to be informed about how your personal data is being collected, used, and processed.

Right to Access

You can request access to your personal data that we hold and obtain copies of such data.

Right to Rectification

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.

Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten)

You can request deletion of your personal data when:

• The data is no longer necessary for the purposes it was collected
• You withdraw consent and there is no other legal basis for processing
• The data was unlawfully processed

Right to Object

You can object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing or other legitimate purposes.

Right to Data Portability

You can request to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

Right to File a Complaint

You have the right to file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission if you believe your data privacy rights have been violated.

Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for general use by barangay residents, including parents or guardians acting on behalf of minors. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without parental consent.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately so we can take appropriate action.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms and government portals. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending an email notification to registered users (for significant changes)
• Displaying a prominent notice on our website homepage

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

Consent

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our services.

Acknowledgment

By continuing to use the Barangay North Signal Portal, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described herein.

Thank you for trusting Barangay North Signal with your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing secure, efficient services to our community.