PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated Sep 18, 2026

1. Introduction

Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is responsible for the personal information described in this Privacy Policy in connection with the Sharjah Animation & Comics Conference (SACC). This policy explains how we collect, use, share and protect personal information through our official website, mobile app, registration services and event activities, and how you can contact us or exercise your rights.

In this policy, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to SBA in its role as organiser of SACC.

If you choose to interact directly with an independent sponsor, exhibitor or other third party, that organisation may collect and use your information under its own privacy notice. Section 4 explains when we share personal information with these organisations.

Where we rely on your consent for a particular activity, we will request it separately and explain how you can withdraw it. This policy does not replace any separate consent required by applicable law.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information relevant to the services you use. This may include information you provide through our website and mobile app, registration forms, event activities, and communications by phone, email or social media.

• Registration and contact information: your name, email address, phone number and information needed to manage your registration.
• Profile and networking information: professional details, interests, profile photographs and other profile content you choose to provide.
• Communications and submissions: information you provide through enquiries, forms, uploads, feedback or platform communications.
• Preferences: language, time zone, communication preferences and other settings you select.
• Transaction and participation information: registration and purchase records, payment status, event participation, and interactions with event services, where relevant.
• Technical and usage information: device and browser information and records of your use of our platforms, including information collected through the technologies described in Section 8.
• Social media information: information you choose to share with us through social media or a connected service, subject to the permissions you grant.
• Photography and recordings: photographs, video footage and audio captured during the event, as described in Section 15.

Please avoid submitting personal information that is not needed for your enquiry or the service you are using.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to manage registration and accounts; provide requested event services; enable optional networking features; respond to enquiries; send service and event updates; improve our platforms; protect users and systems; and meet applicable legal obligations.

We may analyse use of our platforms and engagement with our communications to understand attendee interests and improve the event experience. We also use event photographs and recordings for the purposes explained in Section 15.

Where permitted by applicable law and, where required, with your consent, we may send you news and marketing about SACC. You can ask us to stop marketing communications by contacting hello@sharjah-animation.com or by using an unsubscribe option included in a communication.

Opting out of marketing does not prevent us from sending necessary registration, account or event-service messages.

We use information for the purposes described in this policy and any additional purposes explained when it is collected. Where a new use requires consent or further notice, we will request that consent or provide the required notice before proceeding.

4. How We Share Your Information

We share personal information where relevant to the delivery of SACC and the purposes described in this policy.

Service providers: we engage providers for functions such as hosting, registration, event management, communications and payment processing. Providers acting on our behalf receive the information needed for their services and are required to handle it in accordance with their contractual obligations, including applicable confidentiality and security requirements.

Networking and attendee interactions: information you make available through networking features, shared profiles, public posts or direct communications may be visible to the attendees or organisations involved. Consider the information you choose to share. Contact us if you need help understanding the visibility of your information.

Sponsors, exhibitors and partners: relevant information may be shared in connection with activities or interactions you participate in. We will explain the relevant sharing where it occurs and obtain consent where required. Registration alone should not be treated as consent to all third-party marketing.

Media coverage: selected event photographs and recordings may be shared with partners, sponsors, collaborators and media outlets for the purposes described in Section 15.

Legal and security matters: we may disclose information where required or permitted by applicable law, including in response to lawful requests, to establish or defend legal claims, or to address fraud, security threats and risks to individuals.

Independent recipients are responsible for their own handling of personal information under their privacy notices and applicable law. This does not remove our responsibilities for information we collect or disclose.

5. How We Protect and Retain Personal Information

We maintain administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or destruction.

No method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. Please keep your account credentials confidential, avoid sharing passwords, sign out when using shared devices, and be alert to suspicious messages. Contact us if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

We retain personal information for as long as needed for the purposes for which it was collected, taking account of applicable legal, accounting, security and dispute-resolution requirements.

Retention depends on the type of information and its purpose. Registration and transaction records may be needed to administer participation, payments, refunds and related obligations. Account and communication records may be needed to provide ongoing services and resolve enquiries. Marketing information is retained according to your choices and applicable requirements; limited records may be kept to respect an opt-out.

Event photographs and recordings may be retained while needed for event documentation, reporting and promotion. We consider their continued relevance and requests concerning identifiable individuals.

When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it, subject to lawful retention requirements. Deletion from active systems does not necessarily mean immediate removal from backup copies. Any information remaining in backups remains subject to applicable safeguards and retention requirements.

6. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on applicable law and the circumstances, you may have the right to:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Request restriction of, or object to, particular processing activities, including direct marketing.
• Request a copy of certain information in a structured, commonly used format or its transfer to another organisation.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Lodge a complaint with a competent supervisory authority.

To make a request, contact hello@sharjah-animation.com. We may request information reasonably needed to verify your identity and understand your request.

We respond within the time limits required by applicable law and explain any permitted extension or reason a request cannot be fulfilled. These rights may be subject to conditions and exceptions, including requirements to retain certain records.

Withdrawing consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal. Where your request concerns an independent organisation’s processing, we will explain this and, where appropriate, direct you to that organisation.

7. Updating Your Information and Managing Your Account

You can update information through your account’s profile settings where available, or contact hello@sharjah-animation.com for assistance.

You may also contact us to request account deactivation or deletion. Deactivation disables account access but does not necessarily delete all personal information. Deletion requests are handled in accordance with applicable law and the retention principles in Section 5.

After deactivation, you may no longer be able to access account features, participation history or chat records. Information already received by other participants or independent organisations may remain in their records under their own responsibilities.

8. Cookies, Tracking Technologies and Your Choices

Cookies are small files stored on your device that help websites recognise your browser and remember information. Pixels, web beacons and similar technologies may also record interactions with websites, apps or emails.

We use these technologies to support functions such as secure access, account sessions and preferences. We may also use them to understand platform use, improve performance, measure communications and support event-related advertising.

Third-party tools may include Google Analytics 4 for traffic and engagement analysis, Microsoft Clarity for analysing interactions with pages, Meta Pixel for advertising measurement and optimisation, and Google Tag Manager for managing website tags.

Advertising providers may use information about visits to our platforms to support event-related advertising on other websites or services. Their own privacy notices explain how they handle information they receive.

Where applicable law requires consent for optional tracking, that consent must be obtained before the relevant technology is used. You may use any privacy controls made available on the platform and your browser or device settings to manage tracking. You can also contact hello@sharjah-animation.com for help with your choices or to withdraw consent.

Browser controls may allow you to block or delete cookies. Device settings may provide additional controls for app permissions and advertising preferences. Blocking essential technologies may affect sign-in or other platform functions. Deleting cookies does not necessarily delete information already collected.

9. Links to Other Sites

Our website and mobile app may contain links to websites or services operated by other organisations. We do not control their privacy practices, and we encourage you to review their privacy notices before providing personal information.

This policy applies to the SACC activities described in Section 1. Following an external link does not extend this policy to the independent website or service.

10. Privacy Enquiries and Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your information in accordance with this policy, contact hello@sharjah-animation.com with details of your concern. We will review it and respond as promptly as possible.

If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may ask us to review the matter further. This does not affect any right you have to complain to a competent supervisory authority or seek another remedy under applicable law.

11. Children’s Privacy

Children’s participation in event activities and their use of online services may involve different information requirements. Parents or guardians should supervise the information provided about a child and contact us if they have questions about a registration or account.

Where we collect or use children’s personal information, we apply the requirements of applicable law, including parent or guardian authorisation where required. We seek to limit the information collected to what is relevant to the activity or service.

Children’s information may be used to administer participation, provide services, communicate with a parent or guardian, and address safety, security or legal requirements. It may be shared with providers supporting those activities and other recipients where lawfully permitted.

Photography and filming are addressed in Section 15. Where consent is required for recording or using a child’s image, we will seek it from the appropriate parent or guardian.

If you believe a child has provided personal information without required authorisation, contact hello@sharjah-animation.com. We will review the circumstances and take appropriate action, including deletion where required. Parents or guardians may also contact us to request access, correction, deletion or restriction, subject to applicable law and appropriate verification.

12. Applicable Requirements and International Processing

We handle personal information subject to the laws applicable to our activities. The rights and requirements that apply may depend on the nature of the processing and the relevant jurisdiction.

The providers involved in delivering our services may process or access information in countries other than the country where you are located, including outside the UAE. Privacy protections in those countries may differ.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we apply the safeguards required by applicable law. You may contact hello@sharjah-animation.com for information about the handling of your information, relevant recipients or applicable transfer safeguards.

13. Privacy Policy Updates

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our services, information practices or applicable requirements. We will publish the revised policy with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Where appropriate or required by law, we will provide additional notice of material changes through our website, mobile app or other suitable communication. Where a change requires your consent, we will request it separately.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. How to Contact Us

For questions about this policy, privacy concerns or requests relating to your personal information, please contact:

Email: hello@sharjah-animation.com

Address: Sharjah Book Authority, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

15. Media Coverage Notice

Photography & Filming Notice

The Sharjah Animation & Comics Conference (SACC), organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), will be professionally photographed and filmed.

What this means

We will capture photographs and video footage of event activities, attractions, performances and attendees. Your image, likeness or voice may be included in these recordings.

We may use this material to document, report on and promote SACC, including future editions. We may also share selected material with event partners, sponsors, collaborators and media outlets for coverage and promotion related to the Conference.

Where your image or likeness may appear

• Social media: posts, stories and videos on platforms such as Instagram, X, Facebook and other social channels.
• Printed materials: posters, flyers, brochures and advertisements.
• Digital channels: official websites, mobile app, email newsletters and online promotions.
• Media distribution: event coverage by media outlets and journalists.
• Partner channels: event-related promotional materials published by our partners, sponsors and collaborators.

Your choices and enquiries

Photography and filming will take place within the event venue. If you have concerns about being photographed or filmed, contact hello@sharjah-animation.com before the event or speak to our event team onsite. We will explain the options available and consider requests concerning identifiable images in accordance with applicable law.

Where consent is required for a particular recording or use, we will request it separately, including parent or guardian consent where required for children. Attendance alone does not replace any consent required by law.

Requests concerning material published by independent media outlets or other independent organisations may also need to be addressed to them. The other sections of this policy explain how we handle personal information, retain it and respond to rights requests.