This Privacy Policy explains how Global Wildlife Biodiversity Observation ("we", "us", or "the Site") collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information when you visit or interact with the Site.

1. Information we collect

We collect only the information required to operate the Site and improve your experience:

  • Automatically collected data: standard server logs (IP address, browser type, requested URL, referring page, device type, and access timestamps).
  • Voluntarily provided data: any information you provide when contacting us, submitting a contribution, or subscribing to our email dispatch (name, email address, message content).
  • Analytics data: aggregate, anonymised traffic statistics collected via cookies and similar technologies (see Section 3).

We do not sell personal data to third parties.

2. How we use your information

We use collected information to:

  • Operate and maintain the Site;
  • Respond to contact-form submissions and editorial enquiries;
  • Send the weekly email dispatch to subscribers who have opted in;
  • Understand which topics readers find useful through anonymised analytics;
  • Display relevant advertisements through third-party ad networks;
  • Comply with legal obligations.

3. Cookies, analytics, and advertising technology

We use a minimal set of cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Essential cookies: required for basic Site functionality (e.g., remembering display preferences). These cannot be disabled without loss of core functionality.
  • Analytics cookies: used to gather aggregate, anonymised traffic statistics (e.g., page views, time on site) that help us understand which topics readers find useful. We use Google Analytics for this purpose.
  • Advertising cookies: used by Google and other ad partners to serve advertisements and to measure their effectiveness. These cookies may track your browsing activity across different websites.

You can disable non-essential cookies in your browser settings. For more information about how Google uses cookies, see Google's policy on how partners use cookies.

4. Third-party services and data sharing

We share limited data with the following categories of third parties:

  • Google Analytics: anonymised traffic data for site analytics. Google may use this data in accordance with its own Privacy Policy.
  • Google Ads / AdSense: serves advertisements on the Site. Google and its partners may use cookies to personalise ads based on your prior visits to this or other websites.
  • Email service provider: subscriber email addresses are stored with our email delivery provider solely for the purpose of sending the weekly dispatch.

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data to any other third parties.

5. Google personalised advertising and your opt-out choices

Google and its partners may use cookies to serve personalised advertisements based on your browsing history. You have the right to opt out of personalised advertising:

Opting out does not remove advertisements; it only prevents them from being personalised based on your browsing profile.

6. Data retention

Contact-form submissions are retained for the period needed to reply and to keep an editorial record, and are then deleted. Server logs are rotated on a short schedule (typically 30 days). Email subscriber data is retained until the subscriber unsubscribes. Analytics data is anonymised and aggregated, and retained in that form for up to 26 months.

7. Data security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. International data transfers

The Site is accessible globally. Data collected may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. By using the Site, you consent to such transfers. We ensure that appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) are in place where required by applicable law.

9. Children's privacy

The Site is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will take steps to delete it promptly. If you believe a child under 16 has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

10. Your rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights:

  • Access: request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Rectification: request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
  • Restriction: request that we restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances.
  • Data portability: receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
  • Objection: object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
  • Withdrawal of consent: where processing is based on consent, withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, write to the editorial email listed on the Contact page. We aim to respond within thirty (30) days. If you are dissatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

11. Email subscriptions

If you subscribe to our weekly email dispatch, we store your email address with our email delivery provider. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in any dispatch email or by contacting us directly. Upon unsubscribing, your email address will be removed from the mailing list within a reasonable period.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be indicated by a revised effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact

Questions or requests regarding this policy should be sent to the editorial contact address on the Contact page.