Privacy Policy
This policy ("Privacy Policy") explains how OrbitLedger ("Company", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses and discloses personal information obtained through orbitledger.com (the "Website"), mission record systems, and any other applications, products, or services that link to this Privacy Policy (collectively, the "Service"). When you use the Service, you're consenting to how we process your information as laid out in this Privacy Policy. You can revoke that consent by giving us reasonable notice, though we may not be able to keep providing the Service if you do. If this Privacy Policy doesn't work for you, please stop using the Service. You have the right to access and correct your personal information under certain circumstances. See section 11 for details.
1. What Personal Information Is Collected from You
Personal information is anything that identifies a specific person — your name, email, phone number, mailing address, that kind of thing. We only collect what we actually need for specific reasons and we try to keep it accurate and up to date. It's on you to update your contact information when things change. Information you provide when using the Service Registration and Profile. Sign up through a third-party platform like institutional SSO or GitHub, and we might collect your username, platform ID, and profile details including your institution, research interests, or avatar image. Communications. If you query the ledger, interact with the Service, or reach out to our research support team, we collect whatever information you share in those interactions.
2. What Information Is Collected Automatically
When you're using the Service, we automatically collect some technical data about what's happening. Device Information. Your IP address, browser type, OS version, unique device identifiers, and browser settings get collected. Usage Information. We track what you do with the Service — mission queries, dataset exports, access logs, all of that. Cookies. We use cookies to keep you logged in and remember your preferences. If you want to learn more about privacy options, check out policies.google.com/technologies/cookies. You can also install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to stop that tracking.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use what we collect to actually run the Service, follow the law, and for the purposes outlined below. Internal Business Purposes. Analytics, archive optimization, research integrity checks, and making the Service better — that's what we do with your data. We use your username and affiliation to understand how institutions use the platform and make sure access works smoothly. Communications. We respond to questions you ask and send you operational emails like account verification or maintenance notices. Marketing. If you signed up for updates, you'll get notifications when new records or archival additions come in. There's an unsubscribe link in every email. Compliance. We process information to enforce our rights, prevent unauthorized access, follow applicable laws, and respond to lawful requests from authorities. Aggregate Data. We can de-identify your information and use it in aggregated, anonymous form for other purposes.
4. How We May Disclose Your Information
We don't sell, share, or give your personal information to third parties unless we describe it here or the law requires it. Service Providers. We work with third-party providers to keep the Service running, including: — Data storage through Amazon Web Services (DynamoDB & S3, based in the United States). — Email delivery via SendGrid (you can read their privacy policy at sendgrid.com/legal/privacy/). — Third-party authentication providers (we never collect payment information). — Connections to institutional research networks. Other Users. Some of your profile and research information — username, affiliation, public collections — might be visible to other researchers on the platform. When the Law Requires It. We disclose information if a court order comes down, the law requires it, or we need to protect our rights or the safety of others. Business Transactions. If there's a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information might be shared as part of that, subject to applicable law. Aggregate Data. We share anonymous, aggregated reports on researcher activity and how institutions use the system.
5. Information from Children Under 14
We don't knowingly collect information from kids under 14 without parental consent. If you think we have, reach out to info@orbitledger.space and we'll delete it right away.
6. How Long Is Your Information Kept?
We keep your information as long as it's needed for why we collected it in the first place, plus a reasonable amount of time for research support, institutional archival, and legal reasons. Unless the law says otherwise.
7. How Do We Protect Your Personal Information?
We follow industry standards to protect your information from loss, unauthorized access, and alteration while it's being sent and stored. That said, no security method is completely bulletproof. If there's a material data breach, we'll notify you as the law requires.
8. Cross-Border Data Transfers
Your information might end up in other countries, like Canada or the United States. We protect it the same way described in this Privacy Policy and as the law requires.
9. Changes to Our Privacy Policy
We update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates get posted on the Website and we'll let you know about significant changes through the Services, email, or whatever makes sense.
10. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by Canadian law and the laws of the Province of Quebec. Any disputes about privacy get resolved in the courts of Montreal.
11. How Can You Access and Rectify Your Personal Information?
You can request access to your personal information or ask us to correct it by writing to us at the address below. We'll get back to you within a month and provide access according to the law. We might need to verify who you are, and anything you give us for that purpose stays separate and doesn't get used for anything else.
12. How to Contact Us
Have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your rights? Get in touch at info@orbitledger.space.