Privacy Policy
Last updated: 09/05/2022
Identifying the Displaced (“we”, “us”, “our”) are committed to protecting the privacy of our website users, in addition to the many identified and unidentified individuals and families associated with the project. This page outlines our Privacy Policy (hereafter referred to as “policy” or “policies”) regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information related to the users of our Site. It sets out the type of personal information we collect from you; how it is used, the conditions under which we may disclose it to others, and the steps we take to ensure it is kept safe and secure. We kindly ask that you take some time to familiarise yourself with the information outlined below.
1) Information Collection and Use
We will only ever collect personal information that is voluntarily provided by you. While using our Site, we may ask you to provide us with information that can be used to contact and/or identify you (your “data”). Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to: your name, email address, job title, company/organisation, and your credentials/area(s) of expertise. We also collect your IP address and browser user agent string to help with spam detection. By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of your data in accordance with this policy.
Profile
Due to the sensitive nature of Identifying the Displaced, a portion of our Site is safeguarded by a password-protected login area, restricted to verified members only (the “Database”). Visitors to the Site can request access to the Database by registering their interest via our Contact Form. Our team aim to verify your credentials and create your account within 72 hours. Once your account has been created, you will be able to edit your profile (name, email address, job title, password) and interact with the Site more fully. As an option, you may also elect to upload a photograph of yourself. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a ‘hash’) may be provided to the Gravatar service. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here.
Comments
Logged in users can leave ‘comments’ on the Site underneath specific case studies and artefacts. All comments will be moderated by the project team and may also be checked through an automated spam detection service. If approved, your comment, name, and profile picture will be made visible to the project team and other verified users. We collect all data shown in the comments for the purpose of assiting with the project. We may also ‘reply’ to your comment(s) and/or contact you to obtain further information.
Cookies
Like many other websites, Identifying the Displaced uses cookies. If you leave a comment on our Site, you may opt-in to saving your name, email address, and password using cookies. This is for your convenience, so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year. When you visit our login page, we will also set a temporary cookie – this contains no personal data and is used only to determine whether your browser accepts cookies. It is discarded when you close your browser. Once logged in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, whereas screen options cookies last for one year. If you choose to select the ‘Remember Me’ option, your login will persist for two weeks. If you manually log out of your account, login cookies will be removed.
You can switch off cookies by adjusting your browser preferences or using a dedicated browser extension. Click here to find out more about how to manage cookies through your chosen browser.
Embedded Content
This Privacy Policy applies solely to the personal data collected by us. Articles on this Site may include hyperlinks or embedded content from other websites or organisations (e.g., videos, images, links, etc.). Embedded content behaves in exactly the same way as if a user had visited the original website directly. These websites may collect additional data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and/or monitor your interaction(s) with embedded content. We are not responsible for the privacy policies and practices of other sites, and we would encourage you to read the privacy policies on any external sites that you may visit.
Social Media
Our Privacy Policy also applies to all social media activity. If you choose to connect with us via social media (for example, via our Instagram page) by ‘liking’, ‘commenting’, ‘messaging’, or ‘following’ us, we may collect information and data such as your name and any other details you provide.
2) Data Sharing and Retention
How do we use your data?
Attributed to the identities of more than 100 identified and unidentified migrants, Identifying the Displaced aims to bring together international experts and migrant communities to facilitate discussion and generate new investigative leads using personal effects. As such, all data you provide through your registered user profile and website/social media comments will be used for humanitarian purposes related to the project; towards the identification of missing and unidentified migrants, and the repatriation of personal items to families and relatives of the deceased. Anonymised data may also be used by the project team in impact and/or outreach activies, such as in interviews, presentations, or academic publications. You can find more information about the nature and purpose of the project on our Homepage and our About section, in addition to our Terms of Use.
How do we protect your data?
Our team understand the importance of treating your personal information with dignity and respect. We have a number of safeguarding procedures in place to ensure your data is handled safely and securely. We are fully compliant with the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant legislation/regulations, we follow a number of procedures related to the storage and disclosure of information that you have given to us; to prevent unauthorised access, misuse, alteration, or loss of information under our control. Our security measures may mean that we ask for proof of identity/credentials before we can create your account and/or disclose information to you. All data provided in your registered user profile and website comments will be stored within our password-protected database, on a secure server operated by MTC, and in accordance with The University of Edinburgh’s data retention policies.
Who do we share your data with?
When you register for an account on our Site, we ask you to provide informed consent to allow us share your data with other relevant parties for the purpose of assisting with the project and assisting with new investigative leads. You must consent to these terms, in addition to those set out in in our Terms of Use and in this Privacy Policy, prior to your account being created. The information you provide will be shared with the project Team and Partners, both of which may be updated and expanded with relevant collaborators over the project. The information you provide may also be transferred to countries ande partners outside the European Union. We will never sell or rent your information to third parties for commercial or marketing purposes.
How long do we retain your data?
Collaborating across borders and disciplines to identify displaced individuals and trace loved ones is often sadly a long and time-consuming process. Any comments and their metadata will therefore be retained indefinitely for assisting with the purpose(s) of the project. Retaining this information helps us to build up knowledge and information that may assist other cases and families in the future. The personal information held about you on our systems will be retained for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was obtained. Should you wish to delet your comment(s) and/or unsubscribe from the Site, you may do so at any time – however, we may still hold your data to the extent permitted by law.
What rights do you have over your data?
You are legally entitled to access, modify, correct, and/or revoke your consent and/or delete any data we hold relating to you. You also have the legal right to forbid this data being passed to any third parties. When logged in, you will be able to see, edit, or delete your personal information at any time, although you will not be able to change your username. Members of the project team will also be able to view and edit your information, although we will never edit this without your prior consent. You have the right to ask for an exported file containing the information we hold about you at any time – please Contact us if you would like to receive a copy. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes. The accuracy of your data is also important to us. If you change email address, or any of the other information we hold is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know.