Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 31 January 2025
Last Updated: 25/10/2025
The Maldives Independent (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, maldivesindependent.com (the “Site”), or use any of our associated services, including mobile apps, newsletters, and social media platforms.
By using our Site, you agree to the terms of this privacy policy. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use our services.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of information:

a. Information You Provide to Us

Account Information: When you register for an account on our Site, subscribe to a newsletter, or participate in surveys or forums, we may collect your name, email address, username, and password. You may also choose to provide optional information to personalise your profile or account preferences. Passwords are stored securely using encryption or hashing methods.

Registration via Third-Party Accounts: If you register or log in using a third-party service (such as Google or Facebook), we receive certain information from that service — such as your name, email address, and profile image — in accordance with your privacy settings on that platform.

Payment Information: If you make a purchase or subscription, we collect payment details, such as billing address and payment method information.

User Content: Any comments, reviews, or other content you submit to the Site.

b. Information We Collect Automatically

Log Data: Your IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information about your usage of the Site through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies.

c. Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from social media platforms if you interact with our content or log in using third-party services. This may include profile information or engagement metrics, depending on your privacy settings on those platforms.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for purposes such as:

Providing Services: To operate and maintain our Site and services.

Account Management: To create, maintain, and secure your user account, including authentication, password recovery, and account-related communication.

Personalisation: To provide customised content, newsletters, and recommendations based on your preferences.

Communication: To respond to your inquiries, send updates, and provide promotional materials where you have consented.

Analytics and Improvements: To analyse trends, monitor usage, and improve our services.

Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations or respond to legal requests.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist in operating our Site, such as hosting providers, payment processors, email services, authentication partners, and analytics platforms.

Authentication and Email Services: Limited user data (such as your email address) may be shared with providers that assist with account verification, login, or password reset functions.

Community and Moderation: If you post comments or other content under your account, your username and profile information may be visible to other users.

Legal Requirements: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms of use, or protect our rights and the rights of others.

Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our assets.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and analyse site performance. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may affect certain functionalities.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Passwords are encrypted or hashed, and we use secure transmission protocols where applicable.
However, no online system can be entirely secure. You share your information at your own risk and are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Access and Correction: Request access to and correction of your personal data.

Deletion: Request that we delete your personal data, subject to legal and contractual obligations.

Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a commonly used format.

Withdraw Consent: If we process your data based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.

Account Management: Registered users may access, update, or delete their account information directly through their profile settings. If you choose to delete your account, we will remove your personal data unless retention is required for legal or legitimate business purposes, such as fraud prevention or record-keeping.
To exercise these rights, contact us at editorial@maldivesindependent.com.

7. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. Please review their policies before sharing your data.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our Site and registration features are not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children or allow them to create accounts. If we learn that we have collected data from a child without parental consent, we will delete it promptly.

9. International Data Transfers

As a global media outlet, we may transfer your data to servers located outside your country. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data, in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the updated “Effective Date.” Your continued use of our Site constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please contact us:
Email: editorial@maldivesindependent.com
Thank you for trusting the Maldives Independent with your personal data.