Privacy Policy
Last updated: December 2024
The C. Aubrey Smith Center for Auditing Education and Research ("the Center," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and safeguard your information.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account Information: Name, email address, password, and profile information when you create an account
- Professional Information: Organization, job title, educational background, professional interests, and role (student, practitioner, academic, alumni)
- Profile Content: Profile pictures, social media links, and any additional information you choose to share
- User-Generated Content: Forum posts, comments, feedback, and other content you submit
- Event Participation: Registration information, attendance records, and event feedback
- Form Responses: Information submitted through various forms including CPE evaluations and surveys
Automatically Collected Information
- Technical Data: Browser type, operating system, device information, and IP address
- Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, and interaction patterns
- Local Storage: Authentication state, form drafts, and user preferences stored in your browser
- Session Data: Temporary session information for administrative functions
How We Use Your Information
- Account Management: To create and maintain your account, verify your identity, and provide access to our services
- Community Features: To enable forum participation, networking, and community building
- Event Management: To process event registrations, send invitations, and manage attendance
- Communication: To send important updates, event notifications, and respond to your inquiries
- Service Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our platform and services
- Administrative Functions: To manage user accounts, provide support, and maintain platform security
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: With trusted third-party services that help us operate our platform (Firebase for authentication and data storage, hosting providers)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
- Safety and Security: To protect the rights, property, or safety of our users, the Center, or the public
- Consent: With your explicit consent for specific purposes
Data Storage and Security
- Firebase Services: Your data is stored securely using Google Firebase services with industry-standard encryption
- Local Storage: Some information is stored locally in your browser for functionality and performance
- Security Measures: We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information
- Data Retention: We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services
Your Rights and Choices
- Access and Update: You can access and update your profile information through your account settings
- Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and associated data
- Opt-out: You can opt out of certain communications while maintaining essential service notifications
- Local Storage: You can clear your browser's local storage to remove locally stored data
Third-Party Services
Our platform uses the following third-party services:
- Firebase (Google): For authentication, database, and file storage services
- Google Fonts: For typography and design elements
- CDN Services: For loading JavaScript libraries and resources
These services have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
C. Aubrey Smith Center for Auditing Education and Research
McCombs School of Business
The University of Texas at Austin
Email: [Contact email to be added]