This Privacy Policy explains how GRIC collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information when you use our platform, participate in our competitions, or engage with our global community. By using GRIC services, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
Information We Collect
We collect information you provide directly when you register for GRIC competitions, create an account, or contact us. This includes:
Identity & Contact Data: Full name, email address.
Competition Data: Team details, project submissions, competition scores, participation history, and media (photos/videos) submitted as part of competition entries.
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages visited, and usage patterns collected automatically when you interact with our platform.
Payment Data: If applicable, transaction records for registration fees processed securely through our third-party payment providers. We do not store full payment card details.
Communications: Records of correspondence when you contact our support team or participate in mentorship programs.
How We Use Your Information
GRIC uses your personal data solely for legitimate purposes related to our mission of fostering global innovation. Specifically, we use your information to:
Register and manage your participation in GRIC competitions, workshops, and events.
Facilitate team formation, mentorship matching, and knowledge-exchange programs.
Communicate important updates, results, certificates, and announcements related to your participation.
Improve our platform experience through anonymized usage analytics.
Comply with legal obligations in the jurisdictions where GRIC operates across 10+ countries.
Recognize and showcase outstanding participants and projects (with your explicit consent) on our platform and partner channels.
Data Sharing & Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your data only in the following limited circumstances:
Partner Organizations & Sponsors: Anonymized or aggregated competition statistics may be shared with GRIC's institutional partners and sponsors. Personal details are only shared with your prior consent.
Service Providers: We engage trusted third-party vendors (e.g., cloud hosting, email delivery, payment processing) who process data on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements.
Educational Institutions: If you register through your institution, relevant participation data may be shared with designated administrators at that institution.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of GRIC, its participants, or the public.
International Data Transfers
GRIC operates across 10+ countries, which means your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for all cross-border data transfers, including standard contractual clauses and data processing agreements that comply with applicable international data protection laws such as the GDPR where relevant.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. Specifically:
Active account data is retained while your account remains active.
Competition records and certificates are retained for up to 7 years for verification and institutional partnership purposes.
Technical and usage logs are typically retained for 12 months.
You may request deletion of your data at any time (see Your Rights below), subject to our legal retention obligations.
Your Rights
Depending on your country of residence, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion: Request erasure of your data where there is no legal basis for continued processing.
Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Objection: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes.
Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time without affecting prior processing.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@gric.org. We will respond within 30 days.
Minors & Student Participants
GRIC competitions are open to students of various ages, including minors. For participants under 16 years of age (or the applicable age of consent in their jurisdiction), we require verifiable parental or guardian consent before collecting personal data. Educational institutions registering students on their behalf are responsible for obtaining appropriate consents and for compliance with applicable laws such as COPPA (US) or equivalent regulations.
Data Security
We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure. These include encrypted data transmission (TLS), access controls, regular security audits, and staff training on data protection. While we strive to protect your information, no method of internet transmission is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong, unique passwords for your GRIC account.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on our platform at least 14 days before taking effect. Your continued use of GRIC services after that date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact our Data Protection team:
Email: privacy@gric.org
Address: Global Robotics & Innovation Consortium, International Secretariat
We are committed to resolving any concerns promptly and transparently.