The Materials Tech (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring the responsible handling of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, share, and protect your information in compliance with applicable data protection laws. By using our website or services, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

We collect and process various types of personal information to provide and improve our services. This includes information you provide directly to us, such as your name, title, email address, phone number, postal address, payment details for transactions like event registrations or grant applications, and account credentials such as usernames and passwords. Additionally, we collect technical data automatically, including IP addresses, browser types, operating systems, timestamps of website visits, and usage data such as pages viewed, clicks, and interactions with our website. To enhance our records and provide better services, we may also gather information from third-party sources, such as data from affiliated organizations, academic or industry partners, or publicly accessible platforms.

How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used to deliver and enhance the services we offer, such as facilitating access to member profiles, managing grants, and providing access to events and video publications. We utilize this data to process transactions, ensure a seamless user experience, and manage your account effectively. Furthermore, your information enables us to send updates, newsletters, and promotional content, provided you have consented to receive such communications where legally required. We also use your personal data to respond to inquiries, address feedback or support requests, and ensure compliance with legal obligations. In addition, we may analyze collected data to improve our platform, detect and prevent fraudulent activities, and safeguard the security of our systems.

Sharing Your Information

We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal information. However, we may share your data with a variety of trusted third-party service providers and partners who assist in the delivery of our services. This includes providers of payment processing services, website hosting, email delivery systems, analytics services to monitor and improve user engagement, customer support tools to address inquiries and technical issues, and cloud storage providers to ensure secure data storage. We may also collaborate with marketing platforms for outreach purposes, logistics providers for event coordination, and professional consultants or legal advisors to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, we may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, or legal process, and in situations involving mergers, acquisitions, or similar organizational changes where data transfer is necessary. All service providers are bound by contractual obligations to handle your data securely and use it solely for the purposes specified by us.

Data Retention

Your personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual requirements. Once the retention period expires, your data is securely deleted or anonymized to prevent unauthorized access or misuse. Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the data, the purpose of its processing, and any legal obligations that require extended storage.

Your Rights

As a user, you have the right to access and control the personal data we hold about you. This includes the right to request access to your data, to seek corrections or updates for any inaccuracies or incomplete information, and to request the deletion of your data where applicable. You also have the right to object to certain processing activities or request restrictions on how your data is used. Additionally, you can request a copy of your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in this policy. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Security Measures

We implement robust technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption, secure data storage, regular security assessments, and access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can access your information. Despite our best efforts, no system is entirely secure, and we encourage you to protect your account credentials and report any suspicious activity immediately.

International Data Transfers

If your personal information is transferred or stored outside your country, we ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that adequate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses, are in place to protect your information. We strive to maintain the privacy and security of your data, regardless of its location.

Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to third-party websites for your convenience or reference. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites before providing them with your personal information.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, personalize content, and gather insights about website usage. These technologies help us understand user preferences, improve website functionality, and deliver targeted advertising where applicable. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.

We are committed to transparency about how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and your options for controlling their use. By continuing to browse or use our website, you agree to our use of cookies as outlined in this policy.

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, enhance user experience, and provide information to the website owners. Cookies can be session-based (deleted after you close your browser) or persistent (remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted).

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience, provide essential functionality, and gather data to optimize the performance and relevance of our website. Essential cookies are necessary for the basic functionality of our website, such as logging in, navigating pages, and accessing secure areas. Without these cookies, our website cannot function properly. Performance cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as the pages visited, time spent on the site, and error messages encountered, helping us improve the website’s performance and user experience. Functionality cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences, language settings, or login details, to improve your experience but are not essential for website operation. Analytical cookies help us analyze website traffic and user behavior, allowing us to identify trends, measure the effectiveness of our content, and make data-driven improvements. We use tools like Google Analytics to process this data, but all information is anonymized and aggregated. Advertising cookies track your online activity to deliver relevant advertisements based on your interests, limit the number of times you see an ad, and help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. These cookies are typically set by third-party advertising networks with our permission.

In addition to our own cookies, we may allow third parties to set cookies on your device for analytics, advertising, and other purposes. These third-party cookies are governed by the privacy policies of the respective providers. Common third-party services we use include Google Analytics, which tracks and reports website traffic and usage patterns; YouTube/Vimeo, which provides functionality for embedded video content; social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, which enable sharing and interaction; and ad networks that deliver targeted advertisements and monitor campaign performance.

You can control and manage cookies in several ways. Most web browsers allow you to delete or block cookies. Refer to your browser’s help section for specific instructions. Some third-party services provide opt-out mechanisms, such as the Google Ads Settings page or the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt-out tool. You can also use the options provided in our cookie consent banner to accept or reject non-essential cookies when visiting our website. Please note that disabling certain cookies may impact your ability to access or use some features of our website.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or other operational needs. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your data.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at privacy@materialstech.org