Privacy Statement for improve-preterm.eu

Last Updated: May 12, 2025

At improve-preterm.eu, operated by IMPROVE Preterm, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws. This Privacy Statement explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal data when you visit our website or interact with our services.

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is:

IMPROVE Preterm
Email: paloma.nosten@gfcni.org

For any questions about this Privacy Statement or your data, please contact us at paloma.nosten@gfcni.org.

2. Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

  • Information You Provide:
    • Contact Forms: Name, email address, phone number, or other details submitted via forms (e.g., inquiries, newsletter sign-ups, or research participation).
    • Comments: Name, email, and comment content if you post on our blog or forums.
    • Research Data: If you participate in preterm-related research, we may collect specific data (e.g., health-related information) with your explicit consent.
  • Automatically Collected Data:
    • Cookies and Tracking: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and interaction data via cookies or analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
    • Usage Data: Time spent on the site, referral sources, and click behavior.
  • Third-Party Data:
    • Data from third-party services (e.g., social media platforms if you log in or share content).

Special Categories of Data: We may collect sensitive data (e.g., health data for research) only with your explicit consent and for clearly defined purposes.

3. Purposes and Legal Bases for Processing

We process your personal data for the following purposes and under the following legal bases:

PurposeLegal Basis
Respond to inquiries or provide supportLegitimate interest (to address your requests) or consent (if you opt in)
Send newsletters or updatesConsent (via opt-in forms)
Conduct preterm-related researchExplicit consent (for health or sensitive data)
Analyze site usage and improve servicesLegitimate interest (to enhance user experience) or consent (for non-essential cookies)
Ensure site security (e.g., detect fraud)Legitimate interest (to protect our site and users)
Comply with legal obligationsLegal obligation (e.g., GDPR compliance)

We only process your data for the purposes for which it was collected or compatible purposes, unless we obtain further consent.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content. Cookies may include:

  • Essential Cookies: Necessary for site functionality (e.g., session management).
  • Analytics Cookies: Track site performance (e.g., Google Analytics).
  • Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted ads (if applicable).

You can manage cookie preferences via our [Cookie Banner/Link to Cookie Settings] or your browser settings. For more details, see our [Cookie Policy Page, if applicable].

5. Data Sharing and Transfers

We may share your personal data with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party tools for hosting, analytics, email services, or payment processing (e.g., WordPress hosting, Google Analytics, Mailchimp). These providers are GDPR-compliant and act as data processors under our instructions.
  • Research Partners: If you consent to data sharing for preterm research, we may share anonymized or pseudonymized data with partners.
  • Legal Authorities: If required by law or to protect our rights.

International Transfers: If data is transferred outside the EU/EEA (e.g., to US-based providers), we ensure appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions.

6. Your Rights

Under GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you.
  • Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal exceptions).
  • Restriction: Limit how we process your data.
  • Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
  • Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests (e.g., analytics).
  • Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent at any time (e.g., for newsletters or research), without affecting prior processing.
  • Lodge a Complaint: Contact a supervisory authority (e.g., the data protection authority in your country).

To exercise these rights, contact us at paloma.nosten@gfcni.org. We will respond within one month, extendable to three months for complex requests.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined:

  • Contact Form Data: Kept for 1 year or until you request deletion.
  • Analytics Data: Retained for 26 months (e.g., Google Analytics default) in anonymized or aggregated form.
  • Newsletter Data: Kept until you unsubscribe.
  • Research Data: Retained for the duration of the research project or as specified in your consent form.
  • Legal Obligations: Data required by law (e.g., tax records) is kept for 7 years.

Data is securely deleted or anonymized when no longer needed.

8. Data Security

We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

  • SSL encryption (HTTPS) for secure data transmission.
  • Regular updates to WordPress and plugins.
  • Access controls and secure hosting.
  • Anonymization of analytics data where possible.

If a breach occurs, we will notify affected users and authorities as required by GDPR.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites (e.g., social media, research partners). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies before sharing data.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we learn such data has been collected, we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Privacy Statement

We may update this Privacy Statement to reflect legal or operational changes. Updates will be posted on this page with the revised “Last Updated” date. Significant changes will be communicated via email or a site notice.

12. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, please contact:

IMPROVE Preterm
Email: paloma.nosten@gfcni.org

You may also contact your local data protection authority for assistance.