Privacy Policy
Information We Collect
In order to understand who uses our online resources and how they are used, when you visit NSF’s NOIRLab website or use online applications, we collect basic information such as the date and time, internet protocol (IP) address, information about your web browser and computer (computer type, browser type), the resources you visit on our site, the amount of data transmitted. We use this information to generate aggregate statistics on the use of our site. We share this aggregate information with NSF and our Programs. Some of this aggregate information will be made available to the public. We will not use this information to identify or track usage by individuals, except as necessary to provide user support and maintain our systems. Non-aggregated information is only available to NOIRLab and to authorized contractors.
We do not sell, rent or exchange this information to anyone outside of NOIRLab. We use this information only for the purpose of understanding how our resources are used and how they may be improved.
Cookies
A “cookie” is a piece of data that our web site transfers to your web browser to allow it to remember specific information about your visit. Some NOIRLab web pages use cookies. We may use both session and persistent cookies. Session cookies last only as long as your web browser is open. Persistent cookies store information on your computer for longer periods of time. We use cookies to allow better navigation of our pages and to allow you to customize preferences (for example, your preferred language). If you do not want session or persistent cookies to be stored on your computer, you may disable them in your browser. However, this may prevent some NOIRLab services from functioning properly.
Cookies that we use:
| Name | Purpose | Personal Data |
|---|---|---|
|
preferred_language |
User preference of language displayed on page. |
No |
|
csrftoken |
Website cross site scripting prevention tool. |
No |
Information You Supply
Some of our web pages and online applications may ask for personal information such as your email address, postal address, or institutional information. We may also require you to create an account to use some of our resources. We use this information only to provide you with access to the specified service. We may share this information with NSF and other astronomical institutions.
Information You Share
Some of our services (e.g. blogs, wikis) allow you to contribute information which will be seen by other users of those pages, or by the public. This information may be indexed by search engines such as Google or Bing. You should exercise discretion around revealing personal information.
Website Tracking and Data Collection
Matomo is used to analyze the behaviour of NOIRLab website visitors. Personal data is not tracked or collected when you use the NOIRLab website. Rather, the following data is anonymized, preventing NOIRLab from identifying you: IP address, page URL or titles, User ID, location, heatmaps and session recordings. Additionally, cookie tracking is disabled for this purpose.
NOIRLab is not processing personal data from its web visitors and should not be affected by GDPR or similar legislation.
YouTube's API Client Terms of Use and Privacy Policies
NOIRLab video administrators use YouTube API Services to upload videos to our account: https://www.youtube.com/@NOIRLabAstro
YouTube's Terms of Service
By using the NOIRLab's website, you are agreeing to be bound by YouTube's Terms of Service (https://www.youtube.com/t/terms).
Google Privacy Policy
By using the NOIRLab's website, you are agreeing to Google Privacy Policy (https://www.google.com/policies/privacy).
API Client's Revocation link
NOIRLab's video administrators can revoke the API Client's access to their data via the Google security settings page at https://security.google.com/settings/security/permissions.
Monitoring
NOIRLab monitors computer and network systems to ensure that our services are available to the intended users. and to identify attempts to deny service or make unauthorized changes. Anyone using our systems expressly consents to such monitoring and is advised that if monitoring reveals evidence of possible abuse or criminal activity, such evidence may be provided to law enforcement officials. If we see evidence of improper access, we may, without notice, remove access for some or all users in order to further investigate the situation. We will restore the service as quickly as possible and provide the community with information about the situation.
Email Subscriptions
NOIRLab maintains lists of subscribers who have asked to receive email updates. A recipient may unsubscribe from future messages via a link at the bottom of each email message. We do not sell, rent, exchange, or otherwise disclose our subscriber lists to persons or organizations outside NOIRLab.
Links to External Sites
To provide you with general information, our site contains links to external (non-NOIRLab) sites. You should realize that such links are subject to the privacy and security policies of the external site and that the NOIRLab Online Privacy Policy does not apply. We can’t guarantee the accuracy or relevance of information on an external site. A link to an external site is not an endorsement by NOIRLab.
Social Websites
To better communicate with the public and astronomical community, NOIRLab uses social websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to disseminate information and to engage the community. NOIRLab does not own, manage or control the applications on social websites. Information that you supply to those sites is subject to their privacy and security policies and the NOIRLab Online Privacy Policy does not apply.
Data Retention
The information we collect may be retained indefinitely.
Notification
In the event of a breach, or reasonable suspicion of a breach, which allows an unauthorized person to access personally identifiable information, we will inform you as soon as possible. This notice may be sent to you individually, or we may notify you via NOIRLab applications or our social media presence.
Accessibility Statement
We strive to ensure that our resources are accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have any difficulty viewing any page with adaptive technology, please contact us.
Disclosure
We will share any information we have, including personal information, with organizations or individuals outside NOIRLab if we believe in good faith that this is reasonably necessary to:
- Comply with applicable law, regulation or legal process, or enforceable governmental request.
- Enforce applicable policies, including investigation of potential violations.
- Detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, or technical issues.
- Protect against harm to the rights, property, or safety of NOIRLab, our users or the public as required or permitted by law.
Children and Privacy
We believe in the importance of protecting the privacy of children online and do not knowingly contact or collect personal information from children under the age of 13. Our services are not intended to solicit information of any kind from children under 13. To notify us of our receipt of information from children under 13, please contact us.
Questions
If you have questions about this policy, or you have a privacy concern, please contact us.