Privacy Policy
Last updated: 21.03.2026.
Your privacy is important to us. This privacy policy explains how personal data is collected, used, and protected in relation to the Mindfulness Consortium website. The website is operated by Dr. Ivana Buric, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. By using this website, you agree to the terms of this privacy policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect only the data necessary to operate the website and its services.
a) Account Registration (Membership): When you register as a member, we collect your name and email address.
b) Data Access Requests: If you request access to datasets, we additionally collect institutional affiliation (mandatory) and any other information you voluntarily provide (optional).
c) Newsletter Subscription: If you subscribe to the newsletter, we collect your email address.
d) Contact Forms: If you contact us, we may collect email address (mandatory), and any information you voluntarily provide (optional).
e) Automatically Collected Data: When you visit the website, we may collect IP address, browser type and device information, pages visited and usage data.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information to: (1) Provide and maintain our website, (2) Respond to inquiries or support requests, (3) Improve website performance and user experience, (4) Send emails or notifications (only if you opt in), (5) Comply with legal obligations.
3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use only essential (functional) cookies necessary for the operation of the website. We do not use tracking or marketing cookies.
4. Third-Party Services
We use HostGator for website hosting. These providers may process data on our behalf under their own privacy policies.
5. Data Sharing, User Responsibility, and Public Datasets
We do not sell or trade personal data. Personal data is only shared when necessary: (a) with hosting providers (HostGator) or (b) when required by law.
To share their data, members are required to upload metadata about their research project (mandatory) and may optionally add datasets to the platform (optional). By uploading dataset, users confirm that: (a) the data is fully anonymised and contains no personal or sensitive information, (b) they have the legal right and necessary permissions to share the data, and (c) the data complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards. If a dataset is marked as public, it becomes freely accessible and downloadable by anyone, including non-registered users. It may be copied, stored, and used by third parties beyond our control.
The Mindfulness Consortium is not responsible for: (a) how publicly shared data is used by third parties, (b) any misuse, misinterpretation, or redistribution of such data. It acts solely as a platform for data sharing. We do not own uploaded datasets or guarantee their accuracy, quality, legality, or ethical compliance. All responsibility for uploaded data lies with the data contributor. We reserve the right to remove any dataset at our sole discretion if there are concerns regarding legal compliance, privacy, or ethical standards. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Mindfulness Consortium and its operator shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use, misuse, or interpretation of any data made available through the website.
6. Data Use and Publication Restrictions
Datasets made available through the website remain the intellectual property of the original data contributors. By accessing or downloading any dataset, you agree that: (a) you must not publish, distribute, or publicly present any results based on the data without explicit permission from the data owner and (b) you must appropriately acknowledge the data owner(s), and The Mindfulness Consortium.
At a minimum, acknowledgement must be included in the methods section or the acknowledgements section of any output. Failure to comply with these conditions may constitute a violation of intellectual property rights and academic standards. By accessing or downloading publicly available datasets, users are deemed to have accepted these conditions.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary.
Member accounts are retained while the account is active; deleted upon account deletion. Newsletter data is retained until you unsubscribe. Contact requests are retained as long as necessary to respond. Analytics data are retained for up to 24 months. Any research information or data that you shared is retained until you remove it.
8. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data. However, no online system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Your Rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right to: access your personal data, request correction of inaccurate data, request deletion of your data, withdraw consent (e.g., for newsletters), object to or restrict processing. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens).
10. Children’s Use
The website may be accessed by minors.
However, we do not knowingly collect personal data from children without appropriate consent.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time.
Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date.
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your data:
Email: ivanaburic27@gmail.com
