Privacy Policy

Somast LLC ("Somast", "we", "us") operates an open research lab and a data-science learning platform focused on the Somali language. This policy applies to our marketing site, documentation, datasets, and the student and admin dashboards.

By using the service you agree to the handling of information described here. If you do not agree, please discontinue use.

Depending on how you use Somast, this may include:

• Account details - your name, email address, and phone number when you create an account or enroll.
• Learning activity - the track you enroll in, course and lesson progress, notes, and certificates earned.
• Enrollment & payment metadata - the plan you choose and the payment method used (for example EVC Plus, Zaad, or eDahab). We do not collect card numbers or mobile money PINs.
• Technical data - basic information your browser provides, and preferences such as your light/dark theme.
• Partner requests - the name, organisation, email, website, WhatsApp number and message you send through the partner form. We keep them for up to 12 months after the last contact and do not add you to the newsletter.
• Webinar registrations - your name, email, and the optional WhatsApp number and country you give when you register for a webinar. We use them to send the join link, a reminder and the recording, and delete them 12 months after the event.

The information above is stored in our database, hosted with infrastructure providers, and is tied to your account. It is used only to run the service as described in this policy.

We keep your data for as long as your account is active. You can ask us to delete it at any time, as described under your rights.

We use information to:

• Provide the learning experience: track your progress, resume lessons, and issue certificates.
• Process enrollments and confirm payments.
• Communicate with you about your cohort, mentorship sessions, and account.
• Improve our courses, datasets, and platform.

We do not sell your personal information.

Somast publishes open Somali-language datasets (text, speech, and structured data) under open licenses such as CC-BY-4.0. These datasets are compiled from public and contributed sources and are intended to be free of private personal information.

If you believe a dataset contains information about you that should not be there, contact us and we will review and, where appropriate, remove it.

We use browser local storage and a sign-in cookie to remember your preferences (such as theme) and keep you signed in. We do not use third-party advertising trackers.

You can clear this data at any time through your browser settings or the in-app reset control.

We share information only as needed to run the service, for example with email delivery and infrastructure providers that host the platform. We require such providers to protect your information.

We may disclose information where required by law.

You can review and update your account information in Settings. You can also ask us to provide, correct, or delete your personal data by contacting us.

We take reasonable measures to protect information. No method of storage or transmission is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Somast is intended for users aged 16 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 16.

We may update this policy as the platform evolves. Material changes will be reflected by the "Last updated" date above.

Questions? Email [email protected] or write to Somast LLC, Mogadishu, Somalia.