At SetOrigin, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you use our comprehensive public and canonical data platform.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you directly provide to us, including:

Account Information: Name, email address, organization details, research purpose, and billing information
Professional Profile: Research interests, institutional affiliation, and project details
Query Data: Search queries, data requests, and research parameters you submit
Communication: Messages, feedback, support requests, and research consultation notes
API Usage: API calls, data access patterns, and integration configurations

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you use SetOrigin, we automatically collect:

Usage Analytics: Features used, search patterns, data access frequency, and interaction data
Technical Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers
Performance Data: Server logs, error reports, and system performance metrics
Cookies and Tracking: Session data, preferences, and analytics information

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

Data Sources: Public databases, government records, and canonical data repositories
Integration Partners: Research tools, academic systems, and authorized API connections
Payment Processors: Transaction and billing information from our payment partners
Verification Services: Identity verification and institutional validation services

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide Services: Deliver data access, research tools, and verification services
Improve Platform: Enhance data quality, develop new features, and optimize search capabilities
Customer Support: Respond to inquiries, provide research assistance, and troubleshoot issues
Security: Detect fraud, prevent abuse, and protect our platform and users
Communications: Send service updates, research insights, and relevant data notifications
Legal Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements and respond to legal requests
Analytics: Understand usage patterns and measure service effectiveness
Data Curation: Improve public data quality and canonical data standards

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform, including cloud hosting, payment processing, customer support, data processing, and analytics services.

3.2 Research Partners

We may share aggregated, de-identified usage information with research institutions and data partners to improve public data accessibility and research methodologies.

3.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the business transaction.

3.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government request, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

3.5 Consent

We may share information with your explicit consent or at your direction.

4. Public Data and Research Ethics

SetOrigin provides access to publicly available data and canonical datasets. We are committed to ethical data practices and responsible research facilitation. We do not create or generate private data, and we encourage users to follow ethical research standards.

5. Data Security and Protection

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information:

Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols
Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls
Infrastructure: Secure cloud hosting with regular security audits and monitoring
Employee Training: Regular security awareness training for all team members
Incident Response: Established procedures for detecting and responding to security incidents
Data Integrity: Regular verification and validation of data sources and processing

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services:

Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after closure
Research History: Retained for service improvement and research continuity
Public Data: Canonical datasets are maintained and updated according to source requirements
Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer to comply with legal obligations

7. Your Rights and Choices

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

Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
Opt-out: Unsubscribe from communications or object to certain processing
Restriction: Request limitation of how we process your information

8. Research Data and Public Records

SetOrigin facilitates access to public data and canonical datasets. If you believe your information appears in public records accessed through our platform and wish to address this, please contact the original data source or relevant authority, as we do not control the content of public databases.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Maintain your session and research preferences
Analyze platform usage and research effectiveness
Provide personalized data recommendations
Deliver relevant content and research resources

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including standard contractual clauses and adequacy decisions.

11. Children's Privacy

SetOrigin is designed for research and professional use and is not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

12. California Privacy Rights

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information.

13. European Privacy Rights

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our lawful basis for processing includes consent, contract performance, legitimate interests, and legal compliance.

14. Academic and Research Use

For academic and research users, we may provide additional data handling accommodations to support institutional requirements and research ethics standards. Please contact us to discuss specific research needs.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes via email or through our platform.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: privacy@setorigin.com
Website: https://www.setorigin.com
Data Protection Officer: dpo@setorigin.com
Research Ethics: ethics@setorigin.com

Note: This Privacy Policy addresses the unique aspects of public data access and research facilitation services, emphasizing our commitment to ethical data practices and responsible research support.