Privacy Notice

The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast (“we”, “us” and “our”) are committed to protecting your personal data. This notice is addressed to all users of the LiftWEC website (“you” and “yours”). This notice refers to our provision of the LiftWEC website (the “Service”) for your use. Throughout this notice we refer to “third parties”. These are organisations or providers of software, “plugins” or other services that are either used by the LiftWEC website or are made available to visitors through links provided on the LiftWEC website. Third parties may include, but are not limited to, web-hosting providers, cloud-storage providers, plugin providers, social media companies and other similar organisations.

This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal data when you use the LiftWEC website, as well as the choices you have associated with that data. We use your data to provide and improve the Service offered to you by the LiftWEC website. By using the LiftWEC website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this notice. We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you. The various types of data collected, and their use is detailed within this notice.

For the purposes stipulated in Act of Parliament 15/1999, of 13 December, on Personal Data Protection, the LiftWEC Project hereby informs you that personal data which you provide or which we collect may be incorporated into an organized, digital computer file owned by and available to the LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast.

Who We Are

The LiftWEC Project is an academic research project funded by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 funding framework. The LiftWEC Project consortium consists of 10 individual organisations. More information on the project consortium can be found here. Our website address is: https://www.liftwec.com.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice, you can contact us via the Contact page on our website, here, or you can email us at General@LiftWEC.com.

The LiftWEC Project is coordinated by Queen’s University Belfast. The LiftWEC Project website has been constructed, and is maintained by, Queen’s University Belfast. Due to their coordination of the LiftWEC Project and their responsibility for the LiftWEC Project website, Queen’s University Belfast’s Privacy Policy and Data Protection Policy also apply on this website.

If you would like to know more about how Queen’s University Belfast protects the personal data of Service users, please see our data protection policy which can be found here. Also, please read the guidance provided by Queen’s University Belfast’s Information Compliance Unit which is available here.

What Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It

Information you provide

While using the LiftWEC website, you may be asked to provide personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. This may be classed as “Personal Data”. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:

  • Your name
  • Your Email address

This data will be used to fulfill the function of the Service offered at the point of request for that information. This data may also be used to improve those, and other Services offered by the LiftWEC website. Where a third party application or “Plugin” is used to provide a Service, this data may also be visible and/or accessible to the provider of that plugin. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast have no control over how that data may be collected, used, stored, processed or shared by that plugin provider. If you would like to know what plugins are used by the LiftWEC website please refer to the list below. If you have any further questions about what plugins are used by the LiftWEC website then please contact us using one of the methods mentioned above.

Usage Data

While you are using the LiftWEC website we may collect information on how the Website has been accessed and used. This is classed as “Usage Data”. Usage Data may include information such as your device’s Internet Protocol Address (IP Address), browser type, browser version, the pages of the LiftWEC website that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the duration of time spent on individual pages of the website, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. This data may be used to assess and improve the Service we provide to you. Third party applications, softwares, social media companies or plugins used on or linked from the LiftWEC website may also have access to this or other “Usage Data”. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast have no control over how that data may be collected, used or processed by these third parties.

Comments

When visitors leave comments on the LiftWEC website we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar Service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar Service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your comment and profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment and may be findable via search engines.

Where a third party application or plugin is used to provide functionality for commenting, this data may also be visible and/or accessible to the provider of that plugin. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast have no control over how that data may be collected, used or processed by that plugin provider.

Media

If you upload images or other files to the LiftWEC website, you should know that these may be publicly accessible to both the website administrators and other visitors to the LiftWEC website. You should avoid uploading images or other media with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.

Contact forms

The LiftWEC Website offers a number of “Contact Forms” which you may decide to use. Examples of contact forms include out “Contact Us” form and our “Newsletter Subscription” Form. Where you engage with these forms, the information you submit will be made available to the LiftWEC Project. We will use this information for the purposes indicated by the form. For example, details you provide in our “Newsletter Subscription” Contact Form will be used to add you to our Newsletter Mailing List. We may also use information provided through Contact Forms to adapt and improve the Service we provide to you. Many of these forms will generate an automated email alert which will be sent to our general mailing address: General@LiftWEC.com.

When you interact with a Contact Form on the LiftWEC website, other data may also be collected including, but not limited to; the date and time the form was used, your device’s Internet Protocol Address (IP Address), browser type, browser version, operating system details, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. This data may be used to assess and improve the Service we provide to you.

Some of the Contact Forms on the LiftWEC website may be provided by plugins. Plugins are third party applications used to enhance the LiftWEC website. Where plugins are used the data mentioned previously may also be visible to/accessible by the plugin provider. Plugin providers may also place cookies on your device. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast have no control over how these third party providers might use, collect, control or process your data as a result of interacting with the Contact Forms.

Contact Form functionality on the LiftWEC website is provided by services and plugins which include, but may not be limited to, WordPress, Elementor, Elementor Pro and WPForms. To see a list of the third party softwares and plugins used to provide the LiftWEC website to you, please see below.

Cookies

Cookies are small digital files which hold information. Cookies are sent by a website and stored on your device for a variety of purposes. Often cookies are used to improve functionality of a website. For example, a cookie may be used to provide a unique identifier for a website visitor, and to remember their username and password to simplify a log-in process. Generally, cookies are stored in your browser files. Most browsers provide functionality for you to modify how cookies are handled by your browser. Note that many web-based services will not function correctly, completely or as expected when cookies are disabled.

The LiftWEC website uses a number of cookies. The LiftWEC website also uses a number of plugins and includes access to services provided by other websites such as Social Media feeds and Youtube. These plugins, Social Media platforms and other services may also place cookies on your device as you use the LiftWEC website or access certain features. For a complete understanding of how third parties such as plugin providers or social media companies may deposit cookies on your device, you should read the associated data and privacy policies of the relevant third parties. A list of all known third parties that are used by or provide a service to the LiftWEC website is included below.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for a variety of reasons detailed below. Unfortunately, in most cases there are no industry standard options for disabling cookies without completely disabling the functionality and features they add to this site.

Disabling Cookies

You can prevent the setting of cookies by adjusting the settings on your browser (see your browser Help for how to do this). Be aware that disabling cookies will affect the functionality of this and many other websites that you visit.

The Cookies We Set

Account related cookies

If you create an account with us then we will use cookies for the management of the signup process and general administration. These cookies will usually be deleted when you log out however in some cases they may remain afterwards to remember your site preferences when logged out.

Login related cookies

If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.

We use cookies when you are logged in so that we can remember this fact. This prevents you from having to log in every single time you visit a new page. These cookies are typically removed or cleared when you log out to ensure that you can only access restricted features and areas when logged in.

If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.

Comment related cookies

If you leave a comment on our site your name, email address and website may be stored in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

Email newsletters related cookies

This site offers newsletter or email subscription services and cookies may be used to remember if you are already registered and whether to show certain notifications which might only be valid to subscribed/unsubscribed users.

Surveys related cookies

From time to time we offer user surveys and questionnaires to provide you with interesting insights, helpful tools, or to understand our user base more accurately. These surveys may use cookies to remember who has already taken part in a survey or to provide you with accurate results after you change pages.

Forms related cookies

When you submit data to through a form such as those found on contact pages or comment forms cookies may be set to remember your user details for future correspondence.

Site preferences cookies

In order to provide you with a great experience on this site we provide the functionality to set your preferences for how this site runs when you use it. In order to remember your preferences, we need to set cookies so that this information can be called whenever you interact with a page is affected by your preferences.

Third Party Cookies

In some special cases we also use cookies provided by third parties. The following section details which third party cookies you might encounter through this site.

Third party analytics are used to track and measure usage of this site so that we can continue to produce engaging content. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site or pages you visit which helps us to understand how we can improve the site for you.

From time to time we test new features and make subtle changes to the way that the site is delivered. When we are still testing new features, these cookies may be used to ensure that you receive a consistent experience whilst on the site whilst ensuring we understand which optimisations our users appreciate the most.

We also use social media buttons and/or plugins on this site that allow you to connect with your social network in various ways. For these to work the following social media sites including; Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, will set cookies through our site which may be used to enhance your profile on their site or contribute to the data they hold for various purposes outlined in their respective privacy policies.

Embedded content from other websites

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

Analytics

At present, this website collects data for Analytics using the MonsterInsights plugin. This plugin is used to collect visitor data on how the LiftWEC website has been accessed and used. This is classed as “Usage Data”. Usage Data may include information such as your device’s Internet Protocol Address (IP Address), browser type, browser version, the pages of the LiftWEC website that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the duration of time spent on individual pages of the website, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. This data may be used to assess and improve the Service we provide to you. In order to collect this data, the Google Analytics framework has been connected to this website. Data is directly collected by us using the Google Analytics service. Data may also be collected and stored by the operator of, provider of, or other third parties associated with the Google Analytics service. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast have no control over how that data may be collected, used or processed by these third parties. Analytics data may also be collected by Bluehost, which is the hosting provider for the LiftWEC website (https://www.bluehost.com).

Third party software and plugins

As described throughout this Privacy Notice, the LiftWEC website uses a number of third party softwares and plugins to provide the LiftWEC website for you. These third parties may collect data about you and your use of the LiftWEC website or other websites you visit or other services you access which are beyond that described in this privacy notice. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast has no control over how this data will be collected, used, stored, controlled, processed or shared. Through your use of the LiftWEC website you agree to its use of third party softwares and plugins as described in this Privacy Notice. You acknowledge that the LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast will have no control over how these third parties might access, collect, use, process, store and share information that we, or they, may collect and consent to your use of the LiftWEC Project website in this manner. A list of the known softwares and plugins used to provide the LiftWEC website to you has been included for your information. It is advised that you familiarize yourself with the privacy and data policies of these third parties in terms of how they may use your information collected through your use of our site and any element of the service which they provide either directly or indirectly. Note that additional third party softwares and plugins which are not included within this list may also be used on this website.

Third party provider/software/plugin list:

  • Bluehost
  • WordPress
  • Astra
  • Astra Widgets
  • bbPress
  • bbPress WP Tweaks
  • Duplicate Page
  • Elementor
  • Elementor – Header, Footer & Blocks
  • Elementor Addons & Templates – Sizzify Lite
  • Elementor Pro
  • GD Rating System
  • MailPoet 3
  • Mailpoet 3 Premium
  • Mendeley Plugin
  • MOJO Marketplace
  • MonsterInsights
  • NavMenu Addon For Elementor
  • Starter Templates
  • Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg
  • UpdraftPlus – Backup/Restore
  • VFB Pro
  • VFB Pro – Display Entries
  • Visual Form Builder
  • WP Responsive Recent Post Slider/Carousel
  • WPForms Lite
  • YOP Poll

The LiftWEC website also contains embedded content from, and links to, a variety of Social Media Platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. These also count as third parties in the context of this Privacy Notice.

MailPoet Newsletter & Emails

The following statement has been provided by the MailPoet service we use to provide the LiftWEC Newsletter.

“If you have subscribed to our newsletter or if you are a member of our website (you can log in) or if you have purchased on our website, there is a good chance you will receive emails from us.

We will only send you emails which you have signed up to receive, or which pertain to the Services we provided to you.

To send you emails, we use the name and email address you provide us. Our site also logs the IP address you used when you signed up for the Service to prevent abuse of the system.

This website can send emails through the MailPoet sending Service. This Service allows us to track opens and clicks on our emails. We use this information to improve the content of our newsletters.

No identifiable information is otherwise tracked outside this website except for the email address.”

Who we share your data with

Data provided to us by you will not be shared beyond the LiftWEC Project except as outlined in this privacy notice or by written consent acquired from you. The exception to this is that user interactions with the LiftWEC Forum, or comments made on any element of the website may be visible to the LiftWEC Project consortium and to the general public. By using these elements of the LiftWEC website you are providing your consent for the information you provide to be shared in the context of a public comment or forum post.

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.

Third party softwares and plugins are used to provide functionality on the LiftWEC website. Where these third parties collect data either to provide that functionality or for other purposes, that data may be shared for marketing or other purposes. The LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast has no control over how or why that information may be shared beyond those third parties.

How long we retain your data

All data collected by and through the LiftWEC website may be retained indefinitely unless otherwise stated within this Privacy Notice. We have no control over how long third parties might seek to retain data they collect either through our Service or otherwise.

What rights you have over your data

If you have an account on this site, or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

If you have signed up to receive the LiftWEC Newsletter, you can request to be removed from the Newsletter Mailing List. Your Name and Email Address will then be removed from the Newsletter Mailing List.

If you wish to remove cookies from your device you can do so using the browser settings you used to access this Service. If you are unsure how to do this, please refer to your browser’s help, or contact your browser provider.

Where we send your data

Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection Service.

All website data, possibly including personal and other data outlined within this Privacy Notice is backed up regularly. This is to allow the website to be restored should an issue arise. This backup is provided by the third party plugin “UpdraftPlus – Backup/Restore”. This backup data will contain all data required to restore the entire LiftWEC website to an earlier point in time. There may be more than one set of such data for various dates and times. This data may be held in one or more of the local or cloud-based storage solutions offered by the “UpdraftPlus – Backup/Restore” service. These storage locations may exist either within or outside the European Union.

Web-hosting is provided by Bluehost. Bluehost provides storage for the entire LiftWEC website. Bluehost may host site data within or outside the European Union.

Contact information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice, you can contact us via the Contact page on our website, here, or you can email us at General@LiftWEC.com.

Additional information

How we protect your data

Your privacy and the protection of your data is important to us. The LiftWEC Project is not a commercial entity and has no interest in seeking to capitalise upon or monetise data collected either intentionally or by default through the LiftWEC website, or by any other means. As the LiftWEC Project is coordinated by Queen’s University Belfast, the relevant data protection policy applies. If you would like to know more about how Queen’s University Belfast/the LiftWEC Project protects your data, please see the data protection policy here.

What data breach procedures we have in place

We take the protection of your data very seriously and have policies in place to assist should something go wrong. If you would like to see our data breach policy please see our link here.

Changes to the Privacy Notice

Although most changes are likely to be minor, the LiftWEC Project and Queen’s University Belfast may change this Privacy Notice from time to time. We encourage visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to this Privacy Notice. Your continued use of this site after any change in this Privacy Notice will constitute your acceptance of those changes. Note that elements of this Privacy Notice were created with the help of the Cookies Policy Template Generator and the Privacy Policy Template Generator.

If you are still looking for more information, you can contact us via Email at:

General@LiftWEC.com