1. Introduction
TheSynesthesiaNetwork.com (“the Platform,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a social networking website connecting people with synesthesia and researchers studying synesthesia. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information.
2. Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account information: Name, email address, username, and password.
- Profile information: Synesthesia type(s), descriptions of your synesthetic experiences, and any other details you choose to share on your profile.
- Research participation preferences: Whether you wish to be contacted by researchers or have your data used for research purposes.
- Communications: Messages sent through the Platform, support requests, and feedback.
Information Collected Automatically
- Usage data: Pages visited, features used, timestamps, and referring URLs.
- Device and browser information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Cookies and similar technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain sessions and improve the Platform experience. See Section 8 for details.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Operate, maintain, and improve the Platform.
- Create and manage your account.
- Facilitate connections between synesthetes and researchers, only with your explicit consent.
- Send service-related communications (e.g., account verification, security alerts).
- Analyze usage trends to improve the Platform.
- Comply with legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
4. Research Data and Your Choices
The Platform facilitates connections between people with synesthesia and researchers. Your participation in any research-related activity is entirely voluntary.
- Opt-in only: Your data will never be shared with researchers or used for research purposes unless you explicitly opt in.
- Researcher contact: You may choose whether or not researchers can contact you through the Platform. This preference can be changed at any time in your account settings.
- Granular control: You may choose which profile information, if any, is visible to researchers.
- Withdrawal: You may withdraw your consent to research participation at any time. Upon withdrawal, researchers will be notified that your data is no longer available, and any data previously shared through the Platform will be flagged for removal from active research datasets.
5. Data Sharing
We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- With researchers, only when you have explicitly opted in and only the information you have chosen to make available.
- With service providers who help us operate the Platform (e.g., hosting, email delivery, analytics), under strict data processing agreements.
- When required by law, such as in response to a valid subpoena, court order, or regulatory request.
- To protect rights and safety, if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of our users or the public.
6. Data Retention and Deletion
- We retain your data only as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services.
- You may delete your account and all associated data at any time through your account settings.
- Upon account deletion, we will permanently remove your personal data from our systems within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.
- Anonymized, aggregated data that cannot be linked back to you may be retained for analytical purposes.
7. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including encryption in transit (TLS/SSL), encrypted storage of sensitive data, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Cookies
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Required for the Platform to function (e.g., session management, authentication).
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform. You may opt out of analytics cookies in your settings.
We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.
9. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Delete your data (see Section 6).
- Export your data in a portable format.
- Withdraw consent for research participation or researcher contact at any time.
- Object to certain processing of your data.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at thesynesthesianetwork@gmail.com.
10. Children's Privacy
The Platform is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.
11. International Users
If you are accessing the Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting a notice on the Platform or sending you an email. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: thesynesthesianetwork@gmail.com
Website: TheSynesthesiaNetwork.com