Privacy Policy

Who We Are and Scope

The Harvard Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group (“we”, “us”, “our”) handles information collected from visitors who access www.harvardlmig.org (the “Site”) or otherwise share personal information with us (together, “Users”).

This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. It covers the Site only. It does not apply to Harvard University or Harvard Medical School websites or systems, which have their own policies.

We process personal information to provide our programs and information, to operate and secure the Site, and to meet our legal obligations. We encourage you to read this policy carefully and use it to make informed decisions.

Information We Collect

We collect two types of information. The first is non-personal information that does not identify you, such as aggregated usage data and technical details sent by your device, for example, browser type, operating system, language preference and access time. We may also collect information about your activity on the Site, such as pages viewed, clicks and actions. We use it to improve how the Site works.

The second is personal information that identifies you or could reasonably identify you.

Information You Give Us

Name, email address, and other details you provide when you sign up for our newsletter, send a note through the Contact page, or ask about our events and resources.

Information Collected Automatically

IP address, device identifiers, approximate location, and other information about your activity on the Site.

How We Use Information

• Respond to your notes and questions
• Send our newsletter and updates to people who sign up
• Share information about our events and resources
• Improve Site performance and security
• Run statistics and analysis to improve the Site
• Meet legal obligations

Photos and Event Content

Our events may be photographed or recorded, and photos or videos may appear in the Gallery or on our social feeds. If you would like a photo or video of you removed, contact us using the details below, and we will work to remove it.

Health Information

We are not a healthcare provider. Please do not send personal health details through the Site, the Contact page, the newsletter form, or email. In an emergency, call 911.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies when you visit our Site. A cookie is a small piece of information that a website places on your device while you browse. Cookies help you move between pages, remember your preferences, and make the Site quicker and easier to use. They also help us compile statistics on how the Site is used.

The Site may use these types of cookies:

• Session cookies: stored temporarily during a visit and deleted when you close your browser.
• Persistent cookies: saved on your device for a fixed period, for example, to remember your preferences for repeat visits.
• Third-party cookies: set by other online services that run content on the page, such as analytics providers and embedded videos or social media feeds.

We may use analytics tools to measure how often the Site is visited and which pages are viewed. We use this information to improve the Site and our programs.

We do not knowingly use these tools to send health information to advertising platforms.

You can remove or block cookies in your browser settings. If you do, some features of the Site may not work properly.

How We Share Information

Service Providers

We may share information with service providers who help us operate. They support hosting and operating the Site, sending newsletters and messages, storing and processing information on our behalf, and analytics.

Legal and Safety Disclosures

We may disclose information when we believe in good faith that it is reasonably necessary to comply with law, legal process or a governmental request; to enforce our policies; to detect, prevent or address illegal activity, fraud or security issues; to establish or defend legal claims; or to protect the rights, property or safety of us, our Users or others.

Sale of Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. Some Site tools may collect limited technical data, as described in the Cookies and Tracking Technologies section.

Marketing and Communications

We send our newsletter and updates to people who sign up. Each message includes a way to unsubscribe. If you unsubscribe, we remove your email address from our newsletter list.

Even if you unsubscribe, we may send important messages, such as responses to your notes and administrative notices.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, state law may give you the right to:

• Confirm whether we process your personal information and access it
• Receive a copy of the personal information you gave us
• Request correction of your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information

These rights are not absolute and may be limited by law. To make a request, contact us using the details below. We may verify your identity first.

Data Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information and to prevent unauthorized use. No system is fully secure, and we work to improve ours.

Breach Notification

If a breach affects your information, we notify you and regulators as the law requires.

Data Retention

We keep your personal information as long as needed to provide our programs and information, meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies. We take into account the type of information and the reason it was collected, and we delete or de-identify outdated, unused information at the earliest reasonable time. We may correct or remove incomplete or inaccurate information.

Children’s Privacy

The Site is not designed for or directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If a parent or guardian learns that a child has given us personal information without consent, please contact us.

Third Party Websites

The Site may link to other websites and may include embedded content, such as videos and social media feeds, from other services. Those services may collect information about you under their own policies. This policy covers only information we collect from you. Please read the terms and privacy policies of any third party you share information with. This policy does not apply to companies we do not own or control, or to individuals we do not employ or manage.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The Effective Date and Last Updated lines at the top show the latest version. We will post a notice of material changes on the Site.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the information we collect about you, please contact us using the details below.

Harvard Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
Email: info@harvardlmig.org