Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 17, 2025
Last Updated: June 17, 2025
1. Introduction
SciPinion, LLC ("SciPinion," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at https://app.scipinion.com/ (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Service.
By using our Service, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Service.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide to Us
Account Information:
- Name and email address
- Date of birth
- Username and password
- Country, gender, and location
Professional Information:
- Educational background and credentials
- Employment history and current affiliation
- Areas of expertise and certifications
- Career and experience details for vetting purposes
- Social media handles (optional, e.g., LinkedIn)
Content and Interactions:
- Responses to SciPolls (scientific opinion polls)
- Questions and answers posted as "Pings" (community Q&A)
- Applications for SciPi peer review opportunities
- Communications with us
- Any AI tool usage disclosures as required by our Terms
Financial and Tax Information:
- Tax documentation (W-9, W-8 forms) for paid opportunities
- Payment details processed through third-party providers
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
Device and Usage Information:
- IP address and device identifiers
- Browser type and operating system
- Pages visited and features used
- Date and time of access
- Referring website addresses
- Clickstream data
Cookies and Tracking Technologies:
We use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. See Section 5 for
details.
Note on AI-Generated Content:
If you use AI tools to assist with content creation, you must disclose this in accordance with our Terms and
Conditions. We collect and store these disclosures.
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal information based on:
- Consent: For marketing communications and cookies
- Contract: To provide our Services and process payments
- Legitimate Interests: For security, fraud prevention, and service improvement
- Legal Obligations: For tax reporting and legal compliance
3.2 Purposes of Use
We use your information to:
- Provide and maintain the Service including SciPolls, Pings, and SciPi peer review
- Verify user expertise and credentials through automated profiling
- Match users to appropriate SciPi peer review opportunities
- Process payments for SciPi peer review services
- Analyze and report aggregated poll results
- Send administrative and marketing communications
- Improve our Service and develop new features
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect against fraud and security threats
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
4.1 Service Providers
We share your information with third-party service providers who assist us:
- Hosting and Infrastructure: Heroku (AWS)
- Email Services: Postmark, Mailchimp
- Customer Support: Freshdesk
- Payments: Veem
- Tax Compliance: Avalara Track 1099
- Document Signing: SignNow
- Analytics: Google Analytics
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.
4.2 SciPi Peer Review Engagements
For paid SciPi peer review opportunities:
- Your identity is masked during the review process
- After completion, we share basic professional information (name, affiliation, credentials) with the requesting party
4.3 Aggregated and Anonymized Data
We may share aggregated, anonymized data that cannot identify you personally, including:
- Poll results and statistical analyses
- Demographic trends
- General usage patterns
4.4 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by:
- Law, court order, or legal process
- Government or regulatory authorities
- To protect our rights, property, or safety
4.5 Business Transfers
If we merge with or are acquired by another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
4.6 What We Don't Do
We do not:
- Sell your personal information
- Share your personal information for third-party marketing purposes
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
5.1 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for Service functionality
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand Service usage (Google Analytics, in-house tracking)
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
5.2 Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect Service functionality.
5.3 Do Not Track
We do not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information indefinitely to:
- Maintain the scientific record of polls and discussions
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
When you delete your account, we will:
- Remove your personal identifiers from active systems
- Anonymize your contributions (Pings and poll responses), which remain part of our database
7. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:
- Encryption in transit (HTTPS)
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security audits
- Employee training on data protection
While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
8. International Data Transfers
We are based in the United States and process data in the US. If you are located outside the US:
- We transfer your data to the US for processing
- For EU/EEA residents, we use Standard Contractual Clauses as safeguards
- By using our Service, you consent to these transfers
9. Your Privacy Rights
9.1 Rights Available to All Users
You have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal information
- Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your account (see limitations in Section 6)
- Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
9.2 Additional Rights for EU/EEA Residents (GDPR)
If you are in the EU/EEA, you also have the right to:
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
- Restriction: Limit how we process your information
- Object: Object to certain processing activities
- Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a Complaint: With your local supervisory authority
9.3 Additional Rights for California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
California residents have the right to:
- Know what personal information we collect, use, and share
- Delete personal information (with exceptions)
- Opt-out of "sales" (we do not sell personal information)
- Non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights
9.4 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights:
- Online: Submit a support ticket at https://scipinion.com/support/
- Mail: SciPinion, LLC, Attn: Privacy Rights Request, 777 E. Main St., Suite 202, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
We will respond to requests within the legally required timeframe (generally 30 days).
10. Automated Decision-Making
We use automated systems to:
- Verify user credentials and expertise
- Match users with relevant peer review opportunities
These systems analyze your professional information and activity patterns. You have the right to request human review of automated decisions.
11. Children's Privacy
Our Service is available to users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.
Parents who believe we have information about their child under 13 should contact us immediately.
12. Marketing Communications
We may send you:
- Service announcements and updates
- New poll and peer review opportunities
- Newsletters and marketing emails
You can opt-out of marketing communications:
- Click "unsubscribe" in any marketing email
- Update preferences in your account settings
- Contact us at the addresses in Section 9.4
13. Third-Party Links
Our Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.
14. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach that poses risk to your rights and freedoms:
- We will notify affected users within 72 hours of discovery
- We will provide information about the breach and recommended actions
- We will notify relevant regulatory authorities as required by law
15. Content Licensing
When you submit content (Pings, poll responses):
- You grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display your content
- Your content may be anonymized and retained even after account deletion
- This ensures continuity of the scientific record
For information about copyright infringement, DMCA takedown procedures, and our intellectual property policies, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
16. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by:
- Posting the new policy with an updated effective date
- Sending an email notification for significant changes
Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
17. Contact Information
For privacy-related questions or concerns:
Support: https://scipinion.com/support/
Mail: SciPinion, LLC
Attn: Privacy Policy Coordinator
777 E. Main St., Suite 202
Bozeman, MT 59715
USA
18. Additional Information for Specific Jurisdictions
18.1 European Economic Area
While we do not have an EU representative, EU residents can contact us directly using the contact information above. We comply with GDPR requirements through appropriate technical and organizational measures.
18.2 Nevada
Nevada residents may opt-out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information, but you may register your preference by contacting us.
18.3 Other States
As additional state privacy laws become effective, we will update this policy to reflect any additional rights you may have.
Acknowledgment
By using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.