Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

E.A Research ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our research platform, including our content management system and research collaboration tools.

As a research organization focused on equitable digital agriculture, voice-first technologies, and privacy-preserving systems, we understand the critical importance of data protection and transparency.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Contact Information: Name, email address, organization, and message content when you submit inquiries through our contact form
• Admin Access Requests: Name, email, organization, and reason for requesting admin access to our content management system
• Account Information: Email, name, and password (encrypted) for admin users who manage research content
• Research Contributions: Any content, data, or materials you submit as part of research collaboration

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, referring URLs
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address
• Cookies: Authentication cookies for admin sessions

2.3 Research Data

Our research focuses on agricultural technologies, voice-first interfaces, and privacy-preserving systems. Any research data we collect is handled in accordance with academic research ethics and institutional review board guidelines where applicable.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Process and manage admin access requests
• Provide access to our content management system for approved users
• Share research findings, publications, and updates
• Improve our website and research platform
• Conduct academic research (with appropriate consent and anonymization)
• Send email notifications related to admin access approvals/rejections
• Maintain security and prevent unauthorized access

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Database Storage

User data is stored in a secure PostgreSQL database (Neon) with encryption at rest. Passwords are hashed using bcrypt with industry-standard salt rounds.

4.2 Hosting

Our website is hosted on Netlify with automatic HTTPS encryption. All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted in transit.

4.3 Email Communications

Email notifications are sent via Resend with industry-standard security practices. We never include sensitive passwords or credentials in plain text emails beyond initial temporary access credentials.

4.4 Access Controls

Admin access is restricted through role-based permissions (super_admin, admin, pending). Only authorized personnel can access user management features.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share data in the following limited circumstances:

• Research Collaboration: With our research partner Addis AI for joint research activities (with appropriate consent)
• Service Providers: With third-party services that help us operate our platform (Netlify, Neon, Resend) under strict data processing agreements
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights, safety, or property
• Academic Publication: Research findings may be published in anonymized, aggregated form that cannot identify individuals

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request access to your personal data
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time
• Object: Object to certain types of data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at emmanuel@earesearch.net

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal cookies necessary for website functionality:

• Authentication Cookies: To maintain your admin session (NextAuth.js session tokens)
• Theme Preferences: To remember your dark/light mode preference

We do not use third-party tracking cookies or analytics tools that compromise your privacy.

8. Data Retention

We retain data for the following periods:

• Contact Form Submissions: Until resolved, then archived
• Admin Access Requests: Indefinitely for audit and security purposes
• Admin User Accounts: Until account deletion or deactivation
• Research Data: As required by academic research standards and institutional policies

9. International Data Transfers

Our services are hosted on servers located in various regions. By using our platform, you consent to the transfer of your data to these locations. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers.

10. Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for individuals under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

11. Research Ethics

As an academic research organization, we adhere to:

• Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines when conducting human subjects research
• Informed consent procedures for research participants
• Data anonymization and aggregation for research publications
• Zero-knowledge privacy principles in our technology development

12. Third-Party Services

Our platform uses the following third-party services:

• Netlify: Website hosting and deployment
• Neon: PostgreSQL database hosting
• Resend: Email notification service
• IPFS/Pinata: Decentralized storage for public assets

Each service has its own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing their policies if you have concerns about their data practices.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal compliance. We will notify users of significant changes via email or prominent notice on our website. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised.

14. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

15. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), and relevant African data protection regulations.