PRIVACY
Last Updated: January 11, 2026
Our Commitment to Privacy
At Digital Emissions, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with the same care and responsibility we bring to our mission of sustainable digital transformation. As a nonprofit organization working to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of digitalization, we understand that trust is foundational to meaningful change.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and handle your information when you visit our website (digitalemissions.org), use our tools, or engage with our programs.
Core Privacy Principles:
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information
All data is anonymized whenever possible
You have full control over cookies and tracking
We collect only what is necessary for our mission
We are transparent about our data practices
Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
When you interact with Digital Emissions, you may choose to provide:
Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and organizational affiliation when you sign up for our newsletter, register for events, apply for our fellowship program, or contact us
Professional Information: Academic background, research interests, and career information for fellowship applications
Communication Content: Messages you send us through contact forms, emails, or social media
Donation Information: Payment details processed securely through third-party payment processors (we do not store complete credit card information)
Event Registration: Information provided when registering for webinars, workshops, or speaking engagements
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
Technical Information: IP address (anonymized), browser type, device type, operating system, and referral URLs
Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, and navigation patterns (all anonymized)
Tool Usage: Anonymized data about your use of our sustainability tools (e.g., DCF Emails tool, Digital Carbon Footprint Simulator)
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. You have the right to reject all cookies, and our website will function without them, though some features may be limited.
Types of cookies we use:
Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (anonymized)
Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices
You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie banner or your browser settings.
How We Use Your Information
We use collected information solely to advance our nonprofit mission:
Core Mission Activities
Providing access to our fellowship program, research initiatives, and educational resources
Operating our sustainability tools and calculators
Sharing research findings and educational content through newsletters and updates
Organizing events, webinars, and speaking engagements
Website Improvement
Understanding how visitors interact with our site to improve the user experience
Identifying technical issues and optimizing performance
Measuring the effectiveness of our educational outreach
Communication
Responding to your inquiries and support requests
Sending newsletters about sustainable AI and digital transformation (with your consent)
Providing updates about our fellowship program and research findings
Sharing relevant partnership opportunities and events
Research and Impact Measurement
Conducting anonymized research on digital sustainability awareness and tool adoption
Measuring the impact of our educational initiatives
Publishing aggregated, non-identifiable statistics about digital carbon footprint trends
Data Anonymization and Protection
Our Anonymization Practices
We take data anonymization seriously:
IP Address Anonymization: All IP addresses are automatically anonymized before analysis
Aggregated Analytics: Usage data is aggregated and cannot be traced to individual users
Research Data: All data used in research publications is fully anonymized and de-identified
Tool Data: Information from our sustainability tools is processed in an anonymized form
Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures:
Encryption: Data transmitted through our website is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
Access Controls: Strict access limitations on who can view personal information
Secure Storage: Personal data is stored on secure servers with regular security audits
Third-Party Vetting: All service providers are carefully vetted for security practices
Regular Updates: Ongoing security assessments and updates to protect against emerging threats
Data Sharing and Third Parties
We Do Not Sell Your Data
Digital Emissions does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. Period.
Limited Data Sharing
We may share information only in these specific circumstances:
Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our website and programs (e.g., email services, payment processors, hosting providers). These providers:
Are contractually obligated to protect your data
Can only use data for specified purposes
Are required to maintain confidentiality
Meet our security standards
Examples include: Email marketing platforms, cloud storage providers, payment processors, and analytics tools.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Digital Emissions, our users, or others.
Partnership Collaborations: With your explicit consent, we may share contact information with our vetted partners (e.g., Green Software Foundation, academic institutions) for relevant opportunities.
Aggregated Research: We may publish or share aggregated, anonymized data about digital sustainability trends and tool usage that cannot identify individuals.
Your Rights and Choices
You have significant control over your personal information:
Access and Correction
Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
Update or correct inaccurate information
Request clarification about how we use your data
Data Deletion
Request deletion of your personal information (right to be forgotten)
Unsubscribe from our mailing lists at any time
Request removal from our fellowship database (if applicable)
Cookie Management
Reject all cookies through our cookie banner
Adjust cookie settings at any time
Use browser settings to block or delete cookies
Visit our Cookie Policy for detailed information
Marketing Communications
Opt-out of newsletters and marketing emails via the unsubscribe link
Adjust communication preferences through your account settings
Request to be removed from event invitation lists
Data Portability
Request your data in a portable, machine-readable format
Transfer your information to another service (where technically feasible)
To exercise these rights, contact us at: privacy@digitalemissions.org
Children's Privacy
Digital Emissions does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Our fellowship program and services are designed for university students and professionals. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
International Data Transfers
Digital Emissions operates primarily in the United States. If you access our website from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in compliance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary:
Active Users: While you engage with our programs or receive our communications
Fellowship Applicants: Application data retained for the duration of the program cycle plus one year for program evaluation
Newsletter Subscribers: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
Anonymized Data: May be retained indefinitely for research purposes
Legal Requirements: As required by law or to resolve disputes
After the retention period, personal data is securely deleted or permanently anonymized.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to external sites, including:
Research publications and academic resources
Partner organizations
Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)
Educational resources and tools
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. When we make significant changes:
We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
We will notify you via email (if you've provided your email address)
We will post a notice on our website homepage
For material changes, we may seek your renewed consent where required
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
Contact Us
Digital Emissions is committed to addressing your privacy concerns. For questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:
Email: privacy@digitalemissions.org
We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days.
Regulatory Compliance
Digital Emissions complies with applicable privacy laws and regulations, including:
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for EU users
CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) for California residents
CAN-SPAM Act for email communications
Other applicable state and federal privacy laws
If you are an EU resident or a California resident, you may have additional rights under these laws. Please contact us to exercise these rights.
Your Trust Matters
At Digital Emissions, we believe that responsible technology starts with responsible data practices. Just as we work to make digital carbon costs visible and drive sustainable AI transformation, we are committed to transparency in how we handle your information.
Your privacy is not a commodity. It's a fundamental right that we respect and protect.
Thank you for trusting Digital Emissions as we work together toward a sustainable digital future.y require you to register for an account. When registering, you agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.