Effective Date: June 12, 2025

1. Introduction
   Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the Global Health Congress (“Congress,” “we,” or “us”). This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes the information we collect from you in relation to the Congress, including through our website at https://globalhealthcongress.com, and through all related registration forms, event platforms, and communications (collectively, our “Services”).
   
   This Policy describes what information we gather, how we use and disclose it, and the steps we take to protect it. By registering for the Congress, visiting our Site, or using our Services, you accept the practices described in this Policy.
2. Definitions
   Attendee: An individual who has registered for or is attending the Congress, either in person or virtually.
   
   Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This may include name, email address, professional affiliation, and other information described below.
   
   Services: Encompasses our Site, the Congress event itself, and all related services, including registration, communications, mobile applications, and content provided by us.
   
   Speaker: An individual who is scheduled to present content at the Congress.
   
   Sponsor: A third-party organization that has entered into a sponsorship or exhibitor agreement with the Congress.
   
   Visitor: An individual who browses the public areas of our Site without registering for the Congress.
3. What Information We Collect
   We collect different types of Personal Data from or through our Services. The legal basis for our processing of Personal Data is primarily that the processing is necessary for providing our Services in accordance with our terms, and for our legitimate interests as further explained below. We may also process data upon your explicit consent.
   
   Information You Provide Directly
   When you register for the Congress or interact with our Services, you provide us with Personal Data, including:
   
   Identity and Contact Data: Full name, email address, phone number, mailing address.
   
   Professional Data: Job title, organization/institution, professional interests.
   
   Financial Data: Credit card or other billing information to process registration fees.
   
   Speaker Data: For Speakers, we may collect a biography, headshot photograph, and presentation materials (abstracts, slides).
   
   Special Category Data: With your explicit consent, we may collect information about dietary requirements or accessibility needs to ensure your health and safety at the event.
   
   Information We Collect Automatically
   When you use our Site, we may automatically record certain information from your device using technology like cookies. This information may include your IP address, device type, web browser, pages visited on our Site, and the dates and times of your visit. We use this information to improve our Services and understand user preferences.
   
   Information from On-Site Activities
   During the Congress, we may capture your image in photos and video recordings of sessions and social events. We may also provide a mobile application for networking or use badge scanning technology. If you allow a Sponsor to scan your badge, you are consenting to share your registration details (e.g., name, title, organization, email) with that Sponsor.
4. How We Use Your Information
   We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
   
   Congress Administration: To operate and maintain all features of the Services, including processing your registration, communicating with you about event logistics, providing you with a badge, publishing the attendee list (with consent), and managing the overall event program.
   
   Improvements: To understand and analyze usage trends and preferences to improve the Congress and develop new services and features.
   
   Marketing and Communications: To send you emails and other communications regarding the current Congress. With your consent, we may also contact you about future events or share information from our partners. You can opt-out of these communications at any time.
   
   Promotional Materials: We may use photos and videos taken at the Congress for promotional purposes on our website, social media, or in other marketing materials.

5. To Whom We Disclose Information
   We will not disclose your Personal Data to third parties without your consent, except as described in this Policy.
   
   Service Providers: We work with third-party service providers who provide website hosting, registration management, payment processing, mobile app services, and other functions. Key service providers include:
   Eventbrite (event registration)
   Stripe (payment processing)
   Whova (event mobile app)
   
   These vendors are granted access only to the minimum information necessary to perform their services.
   
   Sponsors and Exhibitors: We will not share your contact information with Sponsors unless you (i) explicitly opt in via a registration form, or (ii) permit a Sponsor to scan your badge at the event. If you consent to sharing your information, it will be subject to that Sponsor’s own privacy policy. We encourage you to review their policies before providing consent.
   
   Speakers and Other Attendees: Names, titles, and organizations of Attendees may be included in an official attendee list, which may be shared with other Attendees to facilitate networking. Speaker information (name, biography, photo) may be published in the official Congress program and on the Site.
   
   Law Enforcement and Legal Process: We may disclose Personal Data as required by law or in good faith to protect our rights, the safety of others, or to comply with a legal obligation.

6. Marketing and Communications
   We only send SMS marketing messages to individuals who have explicitly consented. Consent is collected through an unambiguous opt-in mechanism, such as checking a box on a web form.
   
   Our opt-in confirmation SMS includes a program description, our contact information, message frequency disclosure, and opt-out instructions.
   
   You may withdraw consent or opt out at any time by replying STOP to the message or using other instructions provided.

7. Your Rights and Choices
   Access, Correction, and Deletion: You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your Personal Data by emailing us at privacy@globalhealthcongress.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
   
   Opting Out of Communications: You can unsubscribe from promotional emails at any time using the link in the message. Note that you may still receive important administrative emails about your registration.
   
   Cookies: You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

8. Data Security
   We implement a range of security measures to protect your Personal Data. Your information is stored on secure servers accessible only by authorized personnel. Sensitive data, like credit card information, is encrypted and processed via a Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant gateway (e.g., Stripe).
   
   In the event of a data breach, we will notify the appropriate supervisory authority and affected individuals in accordance with applicable laws.

9. Data Retention
   We retain Personal Data as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law. For example:
   
   Registration data: retained for the event lifecycle and a reasonable period afterward.
   
   Financial records: retained for 7 years for tax and accounting compliance.
   
   Media (photos/videos): retained for future marketing use (with consent).

10. International Data Transfer
    The Congress is hosted in the United States, and we store data in the United States. If you are located outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States. We use safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to ensure appropriate data protection standards.
11. Changes to This Policy
    We may update this Policy periodically. If significant changes are made, we will notify you via email or post a notice on our website. If changes materially affect your rights, we will seek your consent where required by law.
12. Contact Information
    If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

By email: privacy@globalhealthcongress.com
By postal mail:
Global Health Congress
Attn: Privacy Team
303 5th Avenue, Suite #1007
New York, NY 10016
United States

Last Updated: July 15, 2025