Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 8, 2024

Introduction

Balance of Power Research Institute ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at balanceofpower.org (the "Site") and use our Balance of Power Index services (the "Services").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site or use our Services.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Contact Information: When you contact us via email, forms, or other communication channels, we collect information such as your name, email address, organization, and the content of your communications.
• Newsletter Subscriptions: If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address and any preferences you specify.
• Feedback and Surveys: Information you provide when participating in surveys or providing feedback about our Services.
• Research Collaboration: If you engage with us for research purposes, we may collect professional information relevant to the collaboration.

Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our Site, including pages visited, time spent on pages, click-through rates, and navigation patterns.
• Device Information: Information about your device, including IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and mobile network information.
• Log Data: Server logs that may include IP address, browser type, the page you requested, and the time and date of your request.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies (see "Cookies and Tracking Technologies" section below).

Information from Third Parties

• Analytics Providers: Information from analytics services about how users interact with our Site.
• Social Media: If you interact with us through social media platforms, we may receive information from those platforms according to their privacy policies.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Service Provision and Improvement

• Providing and maintaining our Services
• Improving and optimizing our Site and Services
• Developing new features and functionality
• Conducting research and analysis to enhance our offerings

Communication

• Responding to your inquiries and providing customer support
• Sending newsletters and updates (with your consent)
• Notifying you about changes to our Services or policies
• Communicating about research collaborations and partnerships

Legal and Security

• Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
• Protecting against fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Enforcing our Terms of Service and other agreements
• Protecting the rights, property, and safety of our users and the public

Analytics and Research

• Understanding how our Services are used
• Conducting academic and policy research
• Generating statistical and analytical insights
• Measuring the effectiveness of our communications

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties, except in the following circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Site, conducting our business, or serving our users, such as:

• Web hosting and cloud storage providers
• Analytics and performance monitoring services
• Email service providers for newsletters and communications
• Technical support and maintenance providers

These service providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the services they provide to us.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with a legal obligation or court order
• Protect and defend our rights or property
• Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Services
• Protect the personal safety of users or the public

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you before your personal information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

Academic and Research Collaboration

With your explicit consent, we may share aggregated, anonymized data for academic research purposes. We never share personally identifiable information without your explicit consent.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies

Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit our Site. We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and provide our Services.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Site to function properly, including security, authentication, and basic functionality.
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Site by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and choices to provide a more personalized experience.
• Analytics Cookies: Used to analyze Site traffic and usage patterns to improve our Services.

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Site. Most browsers allow you to:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from particular sites
• Block all cookies from being set
• Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Data Security

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

• Encryption: Data transmission is protected using SSL/TLS encryption
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Security Audits: Periodic reviews of our security practices and systems
• Secure Storage: Personal information is stored in secure, access-controlled environments
• Employee Training: Regular training on data protection and privacy practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• Contact Information: Retained for as long as necessary to respond to your inquiries and maintain our relationship
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe or we cease newsletter operations
• Usage Data: Typically retained for 2-3 years for analytics and improvement purposes
• Legal Requirements: Some information may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations

When personal information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it according to our data retention policies.

Your Rights and Choices

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

General Rights

• Access: Request access to your personal information we hold
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

GDPR Rights (EU Residents)

If you are a resident of the European Union, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing under certain circumstances
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Automated Decision Making: Not be subject to automated decision-making (not applicable to our Services)

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@balanceofpower.org. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law.

International Data Transfers

Our Services are operated from the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information we collect may be transferred to, processed, and stored in the United States.

For users in the European Union, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy decisions by the European Commission
• Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@balanceofpower.org.

Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to such third-party sites or services. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites, even if you access them through our Site.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify users of material changes through our Site or via email
• Maintain previous versions for reference

Your continued use of our Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the updated policy, please discontinue use of our Services.

Contact Us

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

We will respond to your privacy-related inquiries within 30 days of receipt.