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Online Privacy Policy

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Geospatial Information Network (BTAA-GIN) operates the BTAA Geoportal and the BTAA Geospatial Information Network (BTAA-GIN) websites. We are committed to protecting the privacy of our users. This privacy policy applies to all websites operated by the BTAA-GIN, including https://geo.btaa.org and https://gin.btaa.org (collectively, "BTAA-GIN websites"). By accessing and using the BTAA-GIN websites, you agree to the terms of this privacy policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Data

We do not collect personal data such as names, email addresses, or contact information unless voluntarily provided by the user (e.g., through contact forms or email communication).

Usage Data

We collect non-personal information about your use of the BTAA-GIN websites, including but not limited to:

  • the Internet Protocol (IP) address and the name of the Internet domain used to access the Internet,
  • the IP address or URL of the website from which a user directly linked to this website,
  • the date and time a user accessed this website,
  • the pages visited on this website,
  • the browser and operating system used to access this website, and
  • the search terms used on our search engines.

The BTAA-GIN uses this non-personal information to help manage the website and improve service. This data is collected using Matomo, an open-source web analytics tool, for both the BTAA Geoportal and the BTAA-GIN website. Matomo respects user privacy, and the data is anonymized and not shared with third parties unless required by law.

Cookies

We use cookies to collect usage data and improve your experience on the BTAA-GIN websites. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. The types of cookies we use include: - Necessary cookies: These are required for the website to function properly. - Analytics cookies: We use Matomo cookies to track user interactions on our sites, including search terms and pages visited.

How We Use Your Data

The data we collect is used for the following purposes: - To analyze and improve the functionality and content of the BTAA-GIN websites - To monitor usage trends and ensure the stability and security of our sites - To respond to user inquiries and requests (if personal data is provided)

Data Storage and Security

  • BTAA Geoportal: The BTAA Geoportal is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers. AWS follows industry-standard security practices, including encryption of data at rest and in transit. For more information on AWS’s security practices, please refer to AWS Security Documentation.
  • BTAA-GIN: The BTAA-GIN site is hosted on GitHub Pages, which follows GitHub's security protocols, including encryption and vulnerability management. For more details, please refer to GitHub Security Practices.

Our websites contain links to third-party sites, including member libraries, partner institutions, and independent data providers. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of those sites before sharing personal information.