Privacy Policy
Effective date: 24.06.2026. Last updated: 24.06.2026.
This Privacy Policy explains what information Biotic collects through this website, how we use it, and the choices you have. We aim to collect as little personal data as possible.
Who we are
This website is operated by Biology is Open Technology Inspiring Civilization Inc., operating as “Biotic.”
Biotic is a U.S. nonprofit, non-stock corporation that has applied for recognition of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
For the purposes of the EU and UK GDPR, Biology is Open Technology Inspiring Civilization Inc. is the data controller for this website where applicable.
You can contact us about privacy at privacy@biotic.org.
We have not appointed a Data Protection Officer because we do not believe we are required to do so based on our current activities. Where required by applicable law, we will appoint an EU or UK representative and provide their contact details here.
What we collect
Mailing list
If you sign up for our mailing list, the signup form is hosted by Notion. The information you provide, such as your name and email address, is stored through Notion. We use this information only to send you the updates you requested.
You can unsubscribe from the mailing list at any time using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting privacy@biotic.org.
Contact
If you email us, for example at hello@biotic.org or privacy@biotic.org, we receive your email address and whatever information you choose to include in your message. We use this information to respond to you and handle your request.
Server logs
Like most websites, our hosting provider automatically records basic technical information, such as IP address, browser type, device information, pages requested, and time of access. This information is used to keep the website secure, reliable, and operational. We do not use server logs to identify you personally.
Analytics
If you accept analytics through our cookie banner, we use Google Analytics 4 to understand how the site is used, for example which pages are visited, how visitors move through the site, and approximate location.
Google Analytics 4 is not loaded unless you accept analytics through our cookie banner. If you reject analytics, Google Analytics is not loaded, analytics cookies are not set, and analytics events are not sent to Google.
We do not use advertising cookies, targeted advertising cookies, or cookies for cross-site behavioral advertising. We do not sell or rent your personal data.
Legal bases for processing
Where EU or UK data protection law applies, we rely on the following legal bases:
- Consent for mailing-list updates and analytics cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time.
- Legitimate interests for responding to your messages, operating the website, maintaining security, and keeping basic records.
- Legal obligations where we need to keep information to comply with applicable law.
Cookies and local storage
When you first visit the website, a cookie banner lets you accept or reject analytics. Google Analytics is set to a default state of “denied” and does not run unless you accept analytics.
You can change or withdraw your choice at any time using the “Cookie Settings” link in the website footer.
We also use a small amount of functional browser storage to remember your cookie choice and display-theme preference. This is used only to make the website work as expected and is not used to track you.
Who we share information with
We use a small number of service providers who process data on our behalf under appropriate agreements. These include:
- Notion, for mailing-list signup forms
- Google, for Google Analytics, only if analytics are accepted
- Our website host, for hosting and security
- Our email provider, for sending and receiving email
These providers may only use the information to provide services to us.
International transfers
Biotic is based in the United States. Our service providers may process personal data in the United States or other countries.
Where personal data is transferred from the EU or UK to the United States or another country, we rely on appropriate safeguards where required, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, adequacy decisions, or another lawful transfer mechanism.
How long we keep information
We keep mailing-list details until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete them.
We keep contact correspondence for as long as needed to respond to your request and maintain appropriate records.
Server logs are kept only for a short period by our hosting provider, unless a longer period is needed for security, legal, or operational reasons.
In Google Analytics, event-level data is retained for 2 months and user-level data for 14 months. We do not enable Google Signals, and we do not use analytics data for advertising.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights over your personal data. These may include the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Delete your data
- Receive a copy of your data
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Withdraw consent
- Complain to a data protection supervisory authority
To exercise any of these rights, contact privacy@biotic.org.
Children
This website is not directed to children under 13, and Biotic does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact privacy@biotic.org and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.
Is providing your data required?
Providing your information is voluntary. It is not a statutory or contractual requirement.
If you choose not to provide information, the only consequence is that we may not be able to do the specific thing the information is needed for, such as sending mailing-list updates or replying to your message.
Automated decision-making
We do not use your personal data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.
California privacy rights
Although the CCPA/CPRA generally applies to certain for-profit businesses and may not apply to Biotic as a nonprofit organization, we provide the following information for transparency.
If you are a California resident, you may have certain privacy rights under applicable California law.
We collect the categories of personal information described above, including identifiers, such as name and email address, and internet or network activity, such as analytics data if you accept analytics. We collect this information from you directly, from your browser, and from our service providers.
We use this information for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We do not use sensitive personal information to infer characteristics about you.
Subject to legal limits, California residents may have the right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose; to access a copy of it; to correct inaccurate information; to delete it; to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information, which we do not do; and to not be treated differently for exercising privacy rights.
To exercise any of these rights, contact privacy@biotic.org. We may need to verify your request using the information we hold. You may also use an authorized agent to submit a request on your behalf.
California Online Privacy Protection Act
This Privacy Policy is available through a link that includes the word “Privacy” and is accessible from our website. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and who we share it with. We will update the effective date or last updated date above when we make material changes.
Do Not Track
Some browsers send a “Do Not Track” signal. Because there is no common industry standard for responding to Do Not Track signals, our site does not currently respond to them.
However, Google Analytics does not load unless you accept analytics through our cookie banner. You can reject analytics or change your choice at any time using the “Cookie Settings” link in the website footer.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will update the date above.