1. Introduction
Association Fulbright & Friends (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the ConnectUS Alumni Platform (the “Platform”).
By using the Platform, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Platform.
2. Information We Collect
2.1. Information You Provide to Us
We collect information that you voluntarily provide when creating and maintaining your profile, including:
• Personal identification information (name, email address, phone number)
• Professional information (current employer, job title, industry, specializations)
• Educational background and exchange program information (program name, year of participation)
• Professional biography and profile photo
• Any other information you choose to include in your profile
2.2. Information Automatically Collected
When you access the Platform, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:
• Log data (IP address, browser type, operating system, date and time of access)
• Device information (device type, unique device identifiers)
• Usage data (pages visited, features used, search queries, time spent on Platform)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7 for details)
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
3.1. To provide and maintain the Platform’s core functionality, including user authentication, profile management, and search features.
3.2. To facilitate networking and connections among alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs.
3.3. To communicate with you about your account, Platform updates, events, and other relevant information.
3.4. To improve and optimize the Platform’s performance, user experience, and features.
3.5. To monitor and analyze usage patterns and trends.
3.6. To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, security threats, and fraudulent activity.
3.7. To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms and Conditions.
3.8. To organize and promote alumni events, professional development programs, and networking opportunities.
4. How We Share Your Information
4.1. With Other Platform Users
Your profile information is visible to other registered and authenticated users of the Platform. This is the primary purpose of the Platform – to facilitate connections among alumni. You control what information you include in your profile.
4.2. With Service Providers
We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:
• Technical infrastructure and hosting providers (Forga/United Focal Points LLC)
• Email communication services
• Analytics providers
These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which it was disclosed.
4.3. With Program Partners
We may share aggregated, non-personally identifiable information with the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and other program partners for reporting and evaluation purposes. We will not share individual user data without explicit consent unless required by law.
4.4. For Legal Reasons
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., court orders, government agencies), or to:
• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect and defend our rights or property
• Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing
• Protect the personal safety of users or the public
4.5. We Do Not Sell Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
5. Data Security
5.1. We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
5.2. Security measures include:
• Secure user authentication and password protection
• Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls limiting who can view and modify data
• Secure hosting infrastructure
5.3. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
5.4. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. Please notify us immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access to your account.
6. Data Retention
6.1. We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Platform’s services.
6.2. If you request deletion of your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain certain information for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.
6.3. We may retain aggregated, anonymized data indefinitely for analytical and research purposes.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
7.1. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on the Platform and hold certain information. Cookies are small data files stored on your device.
7.2. Types of cookies we use:
• Essential cookies: Necessary for the Platform to function properly (e.g., authentication, security)
• Functional cookies: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform
7.3. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of the Platform.
8. Your Data Protection Rights
Under applicable data protection laws, including GDPR where applicable, you have the following rights:
8.1. Right to Access: You have the right to request copies of your personal information.
8.2. Right to Rectification: You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information. You can update most information directly through your profile settings.
8.3. Right to Erasure: You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
8.4. Right to Restrict Processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
8.5. Right to Data Portability: You have the right to request transfer of your data to another organization or directly to you in a structured, commonly used format.
8.6. Right to Object: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
8.7. Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided in Section 12.
9. International Data Transfers
9.1. Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of Serbia, including in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate.
9.2. When we transfer personal information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
10. Children’s Privacy
The Platform is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
11.1. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.
11.2. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Privacy Policy on the Platform and updating the “Effective Date” at the top of this document. For significant changes, we may provide additional notice (such as email notification).
11.3. Your continued use of the Platform after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Association Fulbright & Friends
Data Protection Officer
Address: Terazije 45, Belgrade, Serbia
Email: office@fulbright.org.rs
Website: www.fulbright.org.rs
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.
13. Acknowledgment
By using the ConnectUS Alumni Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.