Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Center for Civic Security, Inc. ("we," "us," "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our services.

By using our website and services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number)
• Professional affiliation and credentials
• Account login credentials
• Payment and donation information (processed by third-party payment processors)
• Information submitted through contact forms or access requests
• Newsletter subscription preferences

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, navigation patterns)
• Referring website information
• Location data (approximate geographic location based on IP address)

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit some functionality of our website.

Types of cookies we may use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
• Marketing Cookies: Track visitors to display relevant content

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, maintain, and improve our services
• To process access requests for gated research content
• To verify professional credentials and affiliations
• To process donations and issue receipts
• To send newsletters and organizational updates (with your consent)
• To respond to inquiries and provide customer support
• To analyze site usage and improve user experience
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• To comply with legal obligations
• To communicate about changes to our policies or services

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including payment processing, data analysis, email delivery, hosting services, and customer service. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication and access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Employee training on data protection
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

Retention periods vary based on the type of information:

• Account information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward
• Newsletter subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe
• Donation records: Retained for tax and legal compliance purposes (typically 7 years)
• Access request records: Retained as necessary for security and verification purposes

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing your information
• Portability: Request transfer of your information to another service
• Objection: Object to certain processing activities
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing where we rely on consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us at contact@civicsecurity.org. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using our services, you consent to such transfers. We take appropriate measures to ensure your information receives adequate protection wherever it is processed.

11. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete your information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of your information. We do not sell personal information.

12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the rights described in Section 7 above. Our legal basis for processing your information includes consent, contractual necessity, legal obligations, and legitimate interests.

13. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals. We may implement DNT recognition in the future.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: