Privacy Policy

1. What data do we collect?

• Account data: name, email address, encrypted password
• Profile information: optional, such as bio or profile photo
• Contact details: if you use our contact form
• Newsletter: name and email (managed via Mailchimp)
• Project participation: contributions, observations, uploads
• Technical data: IP address, browser, device, cookies (see Cookie Policy)
• Usage data: anonymized statistics via Google Analytics

Data contributions (field data) are always processed anonymously and cannot be traced back to individual contributors. Only projects are linked to their creators. This ensures your privacy and supports open science.

We do not collect special category data (such as health, political views, etc.).

2. Why do we collect your data?

• To manage your account and enable participation in projects
• To respond to your questions or support requests
• To send newsletters (only if you subscribe)
• To improve the platform (analytics)
• To comply with legal obligations

3. How and where is your data stored?

• All data is hosted by the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation in Greece. The data servers are primarily located in Europe to ensure compliance with EU data storage policies.
• Access is restricted to authorized personnel only.
• We use technical and organizational measures to keep your data secure.

4. How long do we keep your data?

We keep your data only as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, and always in accordance with legal requirements.

5. Your rights

You have the right to:

• Access, correct, or delete your data
• Withdraw your consent
• Object to processing
• Request data portability

To exercise your rights or for any privacy-related questions, please use our contact page. We will respond to and execute your request within one month, as required by law.

6. Open data, anonymity, and scientific integrity

All field data contributions are processed anonymously and cannot be linked back to individual contributors. Because of this, the right to erasure ("right to be forgotten") does not apply to field data after submission. This is necessary to guarantee the safety, reproducibility, and integrity of scientific research.

You cannot claim ownership or authorship over field data or projects, nor in any resulting publications. This ensures that open data remains fair, accessible, and scientifically robust for everyone.

All data and materials (including photos) shared on 4Life.earth must be free of third-party rights. By sharing, you grant 4Life.earth the unrestricted right to use, share, and distribute all materials for any purpose, including commercial and non-commercial uses, worldwide and in perpetuity. All field data, including photos and other materials, may be used by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, as a reflection of a fully open and fair principle.

7. Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page.