Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 24 February 2025

The International Bladder Cancer Network (IBCN) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of your personal data. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, interact with our services, or engage with IBCN-related activities.

By accessing our website or participating in our association’s activities, you consent to the collection and use of your personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are
IBCN is an association with a global network dedicated to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of bladder cancer through collaboration, innovation, and communication within the bladder cancer research community.

2. Information We Collect
We collect various types of personal data to provide our services, communicate effectively, and improve your experience. The types of information we may collect include:

  • Contact Information: such as your name, email address, and mailing address.
  • Professional Information: including your job title, institutional affiliation, and area of expertise.
  • Membership and Registration Data: when you sign up for membership, events, or other IBCN activities.
  • Financial Information: dates of payments when signing up for membership, making donations, or registering for events.
  • Usage Data: information about how you interact with our website, online services, newsletters, and other digital platforms

    3. How we Collect and Store Information
    We receive the information that you provide us with through our website or email. To manage our memberships and events, we use Wild Apricot, a third-party membership management system. Wild Apricot helps us collect, store and process personal information related to your membership and IBCN events or other activities, including but not limited to your name, contact details, membership status, and payment history.

    By joining our membership program and events, you agree that your personal information will be stored and processed by Wild Apricot in accordance with their Privacy Policy. Wild Apricot employs industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encryption and secure servers. Please note that while we use Wild Apricot to store and manage your membership data, we retain responsibility for how we use and protect your personal information in accordance with our own privacy practices.

    4. Payment Processing
    We use third-party payment processors, PayPal and Stripe, to securely process payments on our platform. When you make a payment, your personal and payment details, such as your name, email address, billing address, and payment information, may be collected by these payment processors to facilitate the transaction.

    • PayPal: PayPal processes payments and may collect your personal data, such as your name, address, and payment information. For more information on how PayPal handles your data, please refer to their Privacy Policy.
    • Stripe: Stripe processes payments and may collect your personal and payment information, including credit card details. For more information on how Stripe handles your data, please refer to their Privacy Policy.

    Both PayPal and Stripe implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data during transactions. Please note that we do not store sensitive payment details (e.g., credit card numbers) on our systems. All payment data is handled by these third-party processors.

    5. How We Use Your Information
    We use your personal data for the following purposes:

    • To provide and manage services: such as membership registration, event registration, and participation in IBCN activities.
    • To communicate with you: including sending newsletters, updates, event invitations, and research-related information.
    • To verify payments: event fees, and membership fees.
    • To conduct research and surveys: when necessary for improving services or advancing scientific knowledge related to bladder cancer.
    • To enhance our services: by analyzing user behavior on our website to improve functionality, content, and communication.
    • To comply with legal obligations: such as tax reporting, regulatory requirements, and responding to governmental requests.

    6. Legal Basis for Processing Your Data
    We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

    • Consent: We may collect and process your personal data when you provide explicit consent, such as subscribing to a newsletter or participating in research surveys.
    • Contractual Necessity: When processing your data is necessary to fulfill a contract or provide the services you have requested, such as event registration or membership management.
    • Legitimate Interests: We may process data based on our legitimate interests, including communication about bladder cancer-related events, research, and network activities, as well as improving our services.
    • Legal Obligation: We may process your data when required to comply with legal obligations, including tax regulations.

    7. Sharing Your Information
    IBCN does not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. However, we may share your data in the following situations:

    • Service Providers: We may share your data with trusted third-party vendors and service providers who assist us with website hosting, payment processing, event management, and other operational activities. These third parties are contractually obligated to protect your data.
    • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your data if required by law, such as in response to a subpoena, government request, or legal proceeding.

    8. Data Retention
    We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by applicable law. When your data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.

    9. Your Rights
    You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

    • Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
    • Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccuracies in your personal data.
    • Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to certain legal and contractual limitations.
    • Objection: You can object to the processing of your personal data.
    • Data Portability: You have the right to request your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

    To exercise these rights, please contact us using the contact details below.

    10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
    We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your experience on our website. Cookies allow us to remember your preferences, analyze website traffic, and personalize content. You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, please note that disabling cookies may impact the functionality of our website.

    11. Security
    We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. While we strive to protect your data, no method of data transmission over the internet or electronic storage is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.

    12. International Transfers
    IBCN operates globally, and your personal data may be transferred to countries outside your country of residence. In such cases, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data, in line with applicable data protection laws.

    13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
    We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by updating the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your personal data.

    14. Contact Us
    If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights regarding your personal data, please contact us at info@ibcnweb.com.