Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 1, 2025
Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows (CIFellows)
Website: www.cifellows.com

1. Who We Are

The Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education and professional excellence in competitive intelligence. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect personal information through our website, www.cifellows.com (the “Site”).

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information when you voluntarily submit it through:

  • Contact forms

  • Email newsletter signups

  • Event registration forms

  • Surveys and other voluntary forms

The types of information we may collect include:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Organization or company affiliation

In addition, our website uses Squarespace’s built-in analytics tools to collect general information such as your browser type, referring pages, and usage patterns. This information is used in aggregate and does not identify individual users.

We do not collect payment card details, user account logins, or comments through the site at this time.

3. Cookies and Analytics

Our Site uses built-in analytics tools provided by Squarespace. These may utilize:

  • Cookies – small data files stored in your browser to support functionality and usage tracking

  • Log files – including your IP address, browser type, and time zone

  • Device data – including information about how you interact with the Site

We do not use third-party analytics or advertising cookies. You can disable cookies through your browser settings. For more information, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

4. How We Use Your Information

We may use your personal information to:

  • Respond to inquiries

  • Send periodic email updates (if you opt in)

  • Register you for events or programs

  • Administer surveys or communications

  • Maintain a public directory of Fellows (with your explicit consent)

You may unsubscribe from our emails at any time using the link in the message or by contacting us directly.

5. Data Sharing and Storage

We do not sell or rent your personal information.

We may share your data only:

  • With your explicit consent (e.g. when you join a public directory or register for an event)

  • With trusted service providers who help us operate our website and communications (e.g., Mailchimp, Squarespace, Google Drive)

  • When required to comply with legal obligations

Your information may be stored on the following platforms:

  • Squarespace (form submissions and analytics)

  • Mailchimp (email newsletter management)

  • Google Drive (internal administration and document storage)

These services use secure data centers and are protected with access controls, passwords, and two-factor authentication where supported.

6. Payment Processing

We may occasionally collect payments for events, programs, or membership dues. Payments are currently handled via third-party platforms such as PayPal, and not directly through our Site.

When you make a payment, you may be asked to provide billing details. These are handled securely by the payment processor and are not stored or processed by us directly.

We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any payment platform you use. For PayPal, visit: https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/privacy-full

7. International Visitors

Our Site is accessible to users worldwide. By using our Site and providing personal information, you consent that:

  • Your information may be transferred to, processed, or stored in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate.

  • These countries may have data protection laws different from those in your jurisdiction.

We take reasonable steps to ensure that personal data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy, regardless of where it is processed.

8. Your Rights

You may request to:

  • Access the data we hold about you

  • Correct, update, or delete your personal information

  • Withdraw your consent for communications

To make a request, please contact us via our contact form:
www.cifellows.com/contact-us

We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request. We aim to respond within 30 days.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected or as required by applicable law.
You may request deletion of your data at any time, unless retention is legally or operationally necessary.

10. Children

This Site is intended for adults, including professionals, students, and academics. It is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from them.

11. External Links

Our Site may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before sharing personal information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Effective Date” at the top reflects the most recent revision. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed of any changes.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us via our contact form:
www.cifellows.com/contact-us