Data Protection and Privacy Policy

(Last Updated: November 20, 2025)

The Dakghor News (news.thedakghor.com) (“the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us”) is dedicated to protecting the privacy and personal data of all users accessing our digital platforms. This Policy establishes the legal framework for the collection, processing, storage, disclosure, and safeguarding of personal data, strictly adhering to the national laws of Bangladesh and prevailing international standards.

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1. Legal Basis and Regulatory Compliance

This Policy is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the following relevant statutes of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, among others:

1. Digital Security Act, 2018 (DSA): Regulates digital security, cyber-crime, and the handling of digital information, providing the basis for penalizing unauthorized access, modification, or destruction of data within a digital infrastructure (e.g., Section 18, 26).
2. Information & Communication Technology Act, 2006 (Amended 2013) (ICT Act): Establishes the legal recognition and security framework for electronic records and digital transactions, addressing offenses like unauthorized access and disclosure of confidential electronic data (e.g., provisions related to Section 70, which addresses unauthorized access to protected systems, and Section 71 which addresses unauthorized disclosure of information).
3. Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 (CRPA): Protects consumers against unfair practices, including the use of false or untrue advertisements (Section 45) to deceive users into providing personal information or consuming services, thereby requiring transparency in data handling.

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2. Data Collection Protocols

We collect data under two primary mechanisms: Voluntary Submission and Automatic Recording.

2.1. Personal Data (Voluntarily Submitted)

This category includes unique identifiers that directly or indirectly identify a natural person, provided by the user for a specific purpose:

• 1.1. Identifiers: Name, email address, and contact number.
• 1.2. Transactional/Communication Data: Information submitted via subscription forms, comment sections, press inquiries, and direct support messages.
• 1.3. Basis: Processing is based on user consent (Article 27 of proposed Data Protection framework) and contractual necessity for delivering the requested service (e.g., newsletter).

2.2. Automatically Collected Data

This data is processed to ensure the security, integrity, and performance of our digital infrastructure:

• 2.1. Device and Connection Data: Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• 2.2. Usage Data: Pages visited, duration of content consumption, and user interaction patterns (collected via analytics tools).
• 2.3. Cookies: We deploy 4 categories of cookies: Essential, Functional, Analytical, and Advertising (e.g., Google AdSense). Users retain the right to disable non-essential cookies via browser settings.
• 2.4. Basis: Processing is primarily based on our legitimate interest in maintaining platform security, preventing fraudulent activity, and improving service delivery.

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3. Purpose of Data Processing

The collected personal data is processed solely for the following legitimate purposes:

• 3.1. Service Operation: To operate, deliver, and maintain the functionality and content display of our digital platforms.
• 3.2. Platform Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve user experience, content relevance, and technical functionality.
• 3.3. Communication and Response: To reply to inquiries, process requests, and manage newsletter subscriptions.
• 3.4. Personalised Advertising: To support advertising networks (like Google AdSense) in delivering relevant content and personalised advertisements. Users may opt out using Google Ads Settings.
• 3.5. Security and Compliance: To prevent, detect, and investigate potentially fraudulent or illegal activities and to comply with mandatory legal obligations under Bangladeshi law.

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4. Data Protection and Security Mechanisms

The Company employs a multi-layered security strategy to protect personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction:

• 4.1. Administrative Safeguards: Strict access control protocols, staff training on data handling, and internal security policies.
• 4.2. Technical Safeguards: Secured, monitored servers, application of encryption where sensitive data is transmitted or stored, and regular system monitoring.
• 4.3. Physical Safeguards: Restricted access to equipment and data storage facilities.
• 4.4. Disclaimer: While we apply industry-standard security measures, no system can guarantee 100% security against all cyber threats.

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5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We maintain a strict policy against selling or renting personal information. Data disclosure is limited to the following categories:

• 5.1. Service Providers: Sharing with trusted third-party partners (e.g., hosting, analytics, and advertising networks) who are contractually bound to maintain equivalent confidentiality and security standards.
• 5.2. Legal Obligation: Disclosure to regulatory authorities, courts, or law enforcement agencies when legally compelled under a valid warrant, court order, or binding legal requirement of Bangladesh.

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6. Data Subject Rights and Contact

Users, as data subjects, possess the following rights concerning their personal data:

• 6.1. Right to Access: Requesting a copy of the personal data we hold.
• 6.2. Right to Rectification: Requesting the correction or update of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• 6.3. Right to Erasure: Requesting the deletion of personal data, subject to legal retention obligations.
• 6.4. Right to Withdraw Consent: Revoking consent for future processing activities, such as unsubscribing from newsletters.

All requests should be submitted via the designated email address.

Contact Category	Email Address	Phone Contact	Office Location
General Inquiry	info@news.thedakghor.com	+880 9611 678389 (Bangladesh)	Remote (Budapest, Hungary)
Press & Media	press@news.thedakghor.com	+36 20 53 66 494 (Europe)	N/A

Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 2 PM – 6 PM CET (Friday–Sunday Closed)

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7. Data Retention and International Transfer

• 7.1. Retention Period: Personal data is retained only for the necessary duration to achieve the stated operational purposes, fulfil legal obligations, and ensure long-term security. Data is subsequently deleted or anonymized in a secure manner.
• 7.2. International Transfer: In instances where data is processed or stored outside of Bangladesh (e.g., European hosting/CDN), we ensure that the transfer and storage mechanisms meet or exceed internationally accepted data protection standards (e.g., GDPR principles for adequacy).

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8. Children’s Privacy Policy

The Company does not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from individuals under 13 years of age. Upon notification by a parent or guardian of such collection, we shall take immediate steps to remove the data from our records.