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Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies solely to the McMaster Research Ethics Board's (MREB) Research Ethics Manager (MacREM) system (the “Website”).

The software and web services are provided by Infonetica Ltd (“Infonetica”).

Reference to "we" are to McMaster University and/or Infonetica.

By accessing the Website the user consents to the collection, use and transfer of the information that you provide in accordance with terms of this Privacy Policy and the Website's Terms and Conditions.

By accessing the Website you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy and the Website's Terms and Conditions and consent to the collection, use and transfer of the information that you provide in the use of the Website.

McMaster University and Infonetica are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our Website visitors and this policy sets out the basis on which any personal information we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.

Information we may collect from you

We may collect and process the following data from you:

  • Your operating system, browser, IP address (a number assigned to your computer to identify it on the network);
  • The pages you browse;
  • The referring page that led you to the current page; and
  • Your software and aspects of its configuration.
  • Name, contact information, and other personal details included in the MacREM user account and in your ethics application

The above information is used by us to maintain and improve quality of the service and to provide general user statistics regarding use of the Website. Additionally, the information is available to the Website’s administrators and is used for audit purposes. Furthermore, if you contact us, we may keep a record of that correspondence.

We may retain your personal data to comply with laws, prevent fraud, resolve disputes, troubleshoot problems, assist with any investigations, enforce our Terms of Use and take other actions otherwise permitted by law.

Cookies

A cookie consists of information sent by a web server to a web browser, and stored by the browser. The information is then sent back to the browser each time the browser requests a page from the server. This enables the web server to identify and track the web browser.

We use session cookies on the Website to keep track of you whilst you navigate the Website. Session cookies will be deleted from your computer when you close your browser.

To maintain and improve the quality of the Website, we use Google Analytics. Google Analytics generates statistical and other information about the Website use by means of cookies, which are stored on user's computers. The information generated relating to our Website is used to create reports about the use of the Website. Google will store this information. Google’s privacy policy is available here. We are not responsible for the privacy statements or other content on websites outside of our Website.

Where we store your personal data

We will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this privacy policy. We will store all of your personal data on our secure servers.

Data transmission over the internet is inherently insecure, and although we will do our best to protect your personal data, neither McMaster University nor Infonetica can guarantee the security of the data you transmit to the Website and any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use appropriate security procedures and features aimed at preventing unauthorised access, unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage.

You are responsible for keeping your password and user details confidential. We will not ask you for your password except when you login to the Website or when you request us to provide you with technical assistance with the Website.

As a user of the Website, you understand and agree that you assume all responsibility and risk for your use of the Website, the internet generally, and the documents you post or access and for your conduct on and off the Website. Upon your request, we will take reasonable steps to correct, amend or delete your personal data that is found to be inaccurate, incomplete or processed in a manner non-compliant with this Privacy Policy except where the burden or expense of providing access would be disproportionate to the risks to your privacy, where the rights of persons other than you would be violated or where doing so is otherwise consistent with applicable law.

Uses made of the information

The personal information and research project information you submit to the Website is collected and stored for the purposes of:

  • Operation and administration of the Website.
  • Enabling your use of the services available on the Website, including making research applications; and
  • Dealing with enquiries made by you relating to the Website or its use.

Personal information and project information will not be released to third parties except when authorised by the user (e.g. submission of application forms) or required by law.

Third party websites

The Website contains links to other websites. McMaster University and/or Infonetica are not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of third party websites.

Amending these Terms and Conditions and/or the Website's Privacy Policy

From time to time McMaster University and/or Infonetica may at its sole discretion amend this Website's Privacy Policy. Your continued use of the Website constitutes your acceptance of and agreement to any changed Terms and Conditions and/or Website's Privacy Policy. McMaster University will ensure that details of any such changes are posted on the Website in a timely manner.

Contact

Questions, comments and requests regarding this privacy policy are welcomed and should be addressed to: enquiries@infonetica.net.