1. Who We Are

Privacy Notice

This privacy notice (“Privacy Notice”) describes how the World Bank Group (referred to below as the “World Bank Group,” “WBG,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses information from and about Website users (“you”) when you visit and use this website (the “Website”). In addition, this Privacy Notice describes the types of personal data processed by the World Bank Group, who has access to that personal data, and the Review and Redress Mechanisms available to you. Where necessary, we may issue additional specific privacy notices for some activities supported by this Website. The World Bank Group respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through our compliance with this Privacy Notice. For the purposes of this Privacy Notice, the terms “personal data” or “your information” mean any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual who visit the Website.  

The World Bank Group is comprised of IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development), IDA (International Development Association), IFC (International Finance Corporation), MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency), and ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes). For purposes of this Privacy Notice, the World Bank Group means any or all of its member institutions, as the context may require.

World Bank Group Policy on Personal Data Privacy
The WBG’s approach to personal data privacy reflects the privacy principles established by the overarching World Bank Group Policy on Personal Data Privacy (the “Privacy Policy”), which applies to all personal data collected by the WBG on or after February 1, 2021.


Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us
The World Bank Group will use personal data that you voluntarily provide to us, including your name and email address, institution, or industry, for the sole purpose that your personal data was provided to us or as otherwise communicated to you at the time such information was collected. In addition, any message that you post on this Website will be considered and treated as available for public use and distribution.

Some examples of personal data voluntarily provided may include:

  • Information submitted through “Contact Us” forms or feedback forms,
  • Log-in information (as applicable),  
  • Any consent you provide to us through the Website, or  
  • Information submitted when signing up for regular World Bank Group communications, such as newsletters and reports.

Information We Collect by Automated Means
This Website uses automated technologies to collect information about you, including personal data. We use these technologies to optimize functionality, track user activity, and give you the best possible personalized experience. We automatically collect certain information from you as you interact with the Website, such as the IP address of the device you use to connect to the internet, other device identifiers, Website user and session information, approximate geolocation derived from IP address, and the pages you access when you visit this site, among others. Please note that not all information listed will be collected about all Website users.

Technologies that we use may include the following:  

  • Cookies. A Cookie is a small file placed on your browser. Cookies store personal data such as IP address, browsing history, username, or other personal details. We use Cookies to collect and analyze Website traffic and usage, remember user preferences (such as language and font size), and investigate technical problems with our Website, among other things. An example of a Cookie that we use is “s_ips” to measure user’s scroll activity by seeing how much of a page they viewed before moving on to another page. Choosing to optout from Cookies either by clearing them from your browser’s cache or by the opt-out mechanism provided in the cookie banner may impact your experience with the Website and prevent certain functionalities from working as intended.
  • Pixels. A Pixel is a piece of code embedded on our Website that collects data about users’ interactions with the Website. An example of a Pixel that we use is the Meta Pixel to determine whether Website users arrived at the Website by clicking on a social media advertisement.  
  • Web Beacons. Some pages of the Website may contain small electronic files known as Web Beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs). For example, we use Web Beacons to record the popularity of certain content and to verify system and server integrity.

The types of Cookies we use may include:   

  • First-Party Cookies. First-Party Cookies are set and controlled by the World Bank Group directly and not by any external organization.
  • Third-Party Cookies. Third-Party Cookies are set and controlled by third parties at the direction of the World Bank Group. For example, some of our Website’s pages display content from third parties (e.g. YouTube, LinkedIn). To facilitate the display and integration of this content, these providers embed their own cookies on our Website.  

The categories of Cookies we use may include the following:  

  • Strictly Necessary Cookies. Strictly Necessary Cookies are essential for the Website to function properly. They typically enable core functionalities, such as security, session management, and accessibility of the Website.
  • Performance Cookies. Performance Cookies collect information about how visitors interact with our Website, such as pages visited, links clicked, and time spent on the Website. We use this data to improve overall user experience on our Website. 
  • Functional Cookies. Functional Cookies collect information that permits the Website to remember choices you have made in the past, such as what language you prefer and the region in which you are located to help streamline and personalize the Website.
  • Targeting Cookies. Targeting Cookies collect information for marketing purposes, including to deliver relevant advertisements and to measure the effectiveness of the World Bank Group’s advertising campaigns.  

Please note that not all pages of the Website use all categories of Cookies listed.

Opt-Out Mechanism
To opt-out of Targeting Cookies, you can either visit the cookie banner displayed on this Website or click on the cookie icon located on the web page you are visiting and select “Cookie Settings.” This will direct you to a preferences page where you can disable Targeting Cookies. You may also adjust your browser or operating system settings to limit tracking or decline Cookies. For example, there is a Do Not Track function available in most browser settings. Check the “Help” or “Settings” menu of your browser or operating system to learn how to change your Cookie preferences. If you choose to limit tracking or opt-out from the use of Targeting Cookies, you may be unable to access certain Website functionalities or features. 

Please note that by exiting out of the cookie banner or continuing to navigate the Website, you are accepting all Cookies.

Children’s Privacy
We do not direct the Website to, nor do we knowingly collect any personal data via the Website from, children under the age of 16. If you learn that a child has provided us with personal data, you may notify us at privacyquestions@worldbank.org.

Purposes for Processing
The WBG collects and processes personal data on this Website to engage in activities that further the WBG’s mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. Specifically, the WBG’s collection and processing of personal data of Website users is conducted, among other purposes:

  • To fulfill a contract or take steps linked to a contract, including providing certain Website functionalities and communicating with you, such as to provide you with information about our services when you request them.
  • To conduct the Bank's business and pursue our interests in providing services in line with our objectives, improving and developing our services, and keeping our records accurate and up-to-date. This includes: 
    • Using your personal data to provide information you have requested and responding to any comments or complaints you may send us;
    • Personalizing your experience on the Website;
    • Targeting advertising to individuals with similar interests or characteristics through services offered by third parties; or
    • Reviewing the usage and operations of the Website and analyzing and improving the Website (we continually strive to improve the Website based on the information and feedback we receive from you).
  • To protect the security and functionality of the Website, including requiring secure authentication for pages that require account creation and using personal data you provide to investigate any complaints received from you or from others about the Website
  • In furtherance of WBG-related investigative efforts. This includes using personal data in connection with legal claims or for compliance, regulatory and investigative purposes as necessary, including disclosure of such personal data in connection with litigation or other legal and administrative proceedings.
  • For reasons not described in this Privacy Notice where the reason is compatible with the purpose for which we originally collected your personal data.

Information We Collect from Third Parties
This Website does not collect any personal data about you from third party sources.


Information We Share

The WBG may share your personal data within the WBG institutions or with third-party service providers who perform services for the WBG. These service providers are not authorized by the WBG to use or disclose your personal data except as necessary to perform specific services for and as directed by the WBG. The WBG requires its partners and service providers to appropriately safeguard the privacy and security of personal data they process on the WBG’s behalf.

The WBG also partners with third parties that collect personal data about your activity on our Website (such as pages visited, or actions taken) to deliver targeted advertising on their platforms. These tools can track your activity across different Websites over time and may be used to build a profile of your interests.  

We do not control how these third parties use the data they collect through these technologies, and their processing is subject to their own privacy policies. You can manage your cookie and tracking preferences through your browser settings, device settings, or the cookie consent tool available on our Website. Disabling these technologies or opting out of the use of Targeting Cookies may limit the relevance of advertising you see or block certain additional site functionality but will not prevent you from accessing this Website.   

Types of Processing
Personal data is collected on this Website through manual, mechanical, and automated processing for the purposes described in this Privacy Notice. The personal data collected on this Website also undergoes automated processing for the sole purpose of Website functionality, user experience, and performance reporting. Manual processing may be applied if problems are discovered on the site.

How We Protect the Information
The WBG maintains appropriate technical and organizational safeguards, such as access controls, secure networks, and encryption, amongst others, to help prevent unauthorized processing of personal data and accidental loss, destruction, or damage.

How Long We Keep the Information
We retain the personal data collected only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which we collected it. The length of time data is retained may differ depending on the type of data and the purpose for which it was provided. We also may retain your personal data in order to:

  • Maintain business records for analysis and/or audit purposes;
  • Comply with the World Bank Group’s record retention requirements;
  • Defend or bring any existing or potential legal claims;
  • Address any complaints regarding our services or the Website;
  • Enforce our commercial agreements; and
  • Support the World Bank Group’s interests, as described in this Privacy Notice.


Request and Review

In accordance with the World Bank Group Policy on Personal Data Privacy, each WBG Institution makes available a Personal Data Request & Review Mechanism to individuals.


Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Data Privacy Office at privacyquestions@worldbank.org

 

Last Updated: May 27, 2026

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