Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2024

BLACK ATLAS MEDIA is committed to protecting your privacy and personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable privacy laws.

1. Data Controller

BLACK ATLAS MEDIA

Independent Investigative Journalism Organization

Operated by: [Owner Name] (Swiss Sole Proprietor)

Address: [Swiss Postal Address]

Email: blackatlasmedia@proton.me

Threema ID: MD5HPJNP

Legal Compliance: Legal Compliance: This information is provided to meet Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and GDPR requirements. All source communications remain confidential.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Email communications when you contact us
Messages sent via encrypted channels (Threema)
Any information you voluntarily provide for journalistic purposes

Technical Information

IP address (anonymized where possible)
Browser type and version
Operating system
Referring website
Pages visited and time spent on site

Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal, essential cookies only for website functionality. We do not use tracking cookies, analytics services, or third-party advertising. Your privacy is our priority.

3. How We Use Your Information

Legal basis for processing: Legal basis for processing: Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) for journalism and source protection.

To communicate with sources and tipsters securely
To protect the identity and safety of whistleblowers
To conduct investigative journalism in the public interest
To maintain website security and functionality
To comply with legal obligations

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal data with third parties.

Limited Exceptions

When required by law or legal process
To protect our rights, safety, or property
With your explicit consent
In anonymized form for journalistic purposes

Source Protection

We maintain the highest standards of source protection. We will resist any attempts to compel disclosure of source information and will use all available legal protections for journalists.

5. Data Security

End-to-end encryption for all communications
Secure servers with regular security updates
Access controls and authentication
Regular security audits and assessments
Data minimization and anonymization where possible
Secure deletion of unnecessary data

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right of access: Right of access: Request information about data we hold
Right to rectification: Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
Right to erasure: Right to erasure: Request deletion of your data
Right to restrict processing: Right to restrict processing: Limit how we use your data
Right to data portability: Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured format
Right to object: Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
Right to withdraw consent: Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent

Important: Important: Some rights may be limited to protect journalistic sources and ongoing investigations. We will explain any limitations when you exercise your rights.

7. Data Retention

Communications: Retained only as long as necessary for journalistic purposes
Technical data: Automatically deleted after 30 days
Source information: Protected indefinitely for source safety
Published content: Retained for historical and archival purposes

8. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers are located outside the EU/EEA. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers, including:

Adequacy decisions by the European Commission
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
Certification schemes and codes of conduct
Technical measures such as encryption

9. Contact and Complaints

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at:

Email: blackatlasmedia@proton.me

Threema: MD5HPJNP

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on our website with an updated effective date.

Last updated: December 2024

1. Data Controller

BLACK ATLAS MEDIA

Independent Investigative Journalism Organization

Operated by: [Owner Name] (Swiss Sole Proprietor)

Address: [Swiss Postal Address]

Email: blackatlasmedia@proton.me

Threema ID: MD5HPJNP

Legal Compliance: Legal Compliance: This information is provided to meet Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and GDPR requirements. All source communications remain confidential.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Email communications when you contact us
Messages sent via encrypted channels (Threema)
Any information you voluntarily provide for journalistic purposes

Technical Information

IP address (anonymized where possible)
Browser type and version
Operating system
Referring website
Pages visited and time spent on site

Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal, essential cookies only for website functionality. We do not use tracking cookies, analytics services, or third-party advertising. Your privacy is our priority.

3. How We Use Your Information

Legal basis for processing: Legal basis for processing: Legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) for journalism and source protection.

To communicate with sources and tipsters securely
To protect the identity and safety of whistleblowers
To conduct investigative journalism in the public interest
To maintain website security and functionality
To comply with legal obligations

4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal data with third parties.

Limited Exceptions

When required by law or legal process
To protect our rights, safety, or property
With your explicit consent
In anonymized form for journalistic purposes

Source Protection

We maintain the highest standards of source protection. We will resist any attempts to compel disclosure of source information and will use all available legal protections for journalists.

5. Data Security

End-to-end encryption for all communications
Secure servers with regular security updates
Access controls and authentication
Regular security audits and assessments
Data minimization and anonymization where possible
Secure deletion of unnecessary data

6. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right of access: Right of access: Request information about data we hold
Right to rectification: Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
Right to erasure: Right to erasure: Request deletion of your data
Right to restrict processing: Right to restrict processing: Limit how we use your data
Right to data portability: Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured format
Right to object: Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
Right to withdraw consent: Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent

Important: Important: Some rights may be limited to protect journalistic sources and ongoing investigations. We will explain any limitations when you exercise your rights.

7. Data Retention

Communications: Retained only as long as necessary for journalistic purposes
Technical data: Automatically deleted after 30 days
Source information: Protected indefinitely for source safety
Published content: Retained for historical and archival purposes

8. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers are located outside the EU/EEA. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers, including:

Adequacy decisions by the European Commission
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
Certification schemes and codes of conduct
Technical measures such as encryption

9. Contact and Complaints

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at:

Email: blackatlasmedia@proton.me

Threema: MD5HPJNP

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on our website with an updated effective date.