PRIVACY POLICY.

When you visit our website, certain information about your visit is automatically collected and temporarily stored. This information does not personally identify you and includes:

The name of the domain you use to access the Internet (e.g., aol.com or stanford.edu).

• The type of browser and operating system you use to access our site.

• The date and time of your visit.

• The pages you visited.

• The address of the website you came from if you were referred from another site.

 

This information is used to analyze traffic, understand user interests, and improve the functionality and content of our website. We also track searches entered into our search engine to measure interest in specific topics, but we do not monitor the terms a particular user enters.

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Cookies and Web Measurement

We use cookies and other web measurement technologies to enhance the functionality of our website and understand how visitors use it. These cookies collect non-personal data and are used as follows:

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Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you leave our website. These are used for navigation and statistical purposes, such as improving site design and content.

Persistent Cookies: Multi-session cookies that remain on your device to track return visits for statistical purposes. These cookies expire five years after your last visit.

We do not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information (PII). You can block cookies through your browser settings without affecting your access to our site’s content and tools.

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Personally Provided Information

You are not required to provide personal information to use our website. However, if you choose to share information via email, forms, or surveys, we will use it only to respond to your inquiries or fulfill the purpose of your communication. Such information is handled confidentially within the COMPPASS Registry team.

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Please note that email is not always secure against interception. For sensitive messages, we recommend using other secure methods.

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How We Use Your Information

All information provided by registry participants is securely stored and protected. De-identified and aggregated data—information stripped of personal identifiers—is used to answer research questions and advance understanding of iGBS. Your information will never be shared or used in any way that compromises your privacy.

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Third-Party Websites

Our website may include links to third-party websites or social media platforms. The privacy policies of these sites may differ from ours, and we encourage you to review their policies before sharing personal information. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites.

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Disclosure

We do not disclose, give, sell, or transfer any personal information about our visitors unless required by law enforcement or statute. Aggregated, de-identified data may be shared with researchers and collaborators for approved studies.

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Intrusion Detection and Security

To protect our website and ensure its availability, we use software programs to monitor traffic and detect unauthorized attempts to upload or change information. Such attempts are strictly prohibited and may result in prosecution under applicable laws.

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Records Management

Electronically submitted information is maintained and destroyed in accordance with the Federal Records Act and applicable regulations. If your data is part of a system of records subject to the Privacy Act, you will be provided with a Privacy Act Notice.

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Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision.

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