Privacy and Cookies Policy
Last Updated: February 18, 2026
Introduction
DeepVision, a collaborative research project led by the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (“we,” “us,” or “our”), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy and Cookie Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and interact with our services.
By using our website, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information You Provide
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
- Fill out contact forms or inquiry forms
- Subscribe to our newsletter or updates
- Register for events, webinars, or workshops
- Communicate with us via email
- Submit feedback or questions
This information may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Institutional affiliation
- Country/location
- Area of research or professional interest
- Any other information you choose to provide
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activity, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Referring website
- Pages viewed and time spent on pages
- Date and time of visit
- Clickstream data
1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. See Section 5 (Cookie Policy) for detailed information.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
2.1 Research and Project Communication
- To provide information about the DeepVision project, research findings, and developments
- To respond to inquiries and provide support
- To send newsletters, updates, and relevant scientific communications
- To facilitate collaboration opportunities with researchers and institutions
2.2 Website Operations and Improvement
- To operate, maintain, and improve our website
- To analyze website usage and optimize user experience
- To diagnose technical problems
- To protect against fraudulent or illegal activity
2.3 Academic and Scientific Purposes
- To facilitate research collaboration within the consortium
- To report on project progress to funding bodies (Bezos Earth Fund)
- To fulfill obligations under research grants and partnerships
- To contribute to scientific publications and presentations
2.4 Legal Compliance
- To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
- To enforce our terms and conditions
- To protect the rights, property, and safety of DeepVision, our partners, and others
3. How We Share Your Information
3.1 Within the DeepVision Consortium
We may share information with partner institutions and organizations involved in the DeepVision project, including:
- University of Plymouth
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory
- University of Bergen
- Institute of Marine Research, Norway
- University of Galway
- University of Aveiro
- Bielefeld University
- University of Gibraltar
- UN Ocean Decade Challenger 150 partners
3.2 Service Providers
We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:
- Website hosting providers
- Email marketing platforms
- Analytics services
- Event management platforms
These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us and to protect the confidentiality of your information.
3.3 Funding Organizations
We may share aggregated, non-identifiable information with the Bezos Earth Fund and other funding bodies for reporting and accountability purposes.
3.4 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of DeepVision, our partners, or others.
3.5 We Do Not Sell Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
4. International Data Transfers
The DeepVision project involves partners across multiple countries, primarily within the European Union and European Economic Area. If you are accessing our website from outside these regions, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries where our project partners and service providers operate.
We take appropriate measures to ensure that your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws, including:
- Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
- Adequacy decisions for data transfers
- Other lawful transfer mechanisms
5. Cookie Policy
5.1 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.
5.2 Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.
Examples:
- Session cookies to maintain your browsing session
- Security cookies to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use
Duration: Session or as long as necessary
Purpose: Website functionality
Can be disabled: No (essential for website operation)
Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
Examples:
- Google Analytics or similar analytics platforms
- Page view tracking
- User journey analysis
Duration: Typically 1-2 years
Purpose: Website improvement and performance analysis
Can be disabled: Yes (see Section 5.4)
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences.
Examples:
- Language preference
- Region/location settings
- Display preferences
Duration: Varies (typically 1-12 months)
Purpose: Enhanced user experience
Can be disabled: Yes (see Section 5.4)
Marketing/Targeting Cookies (If Applicable)
Currently, we do not use marketing or targeting cookies. If this changes in the future, we will update this policy and seek your consent where required.
5.3 Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies on our website are set by third-party services that appear on our pages:
- Google Analytics: Collects anonymous information about website usage
- YouTube/Vimeo: If we embed videos, these platforms may set cookies
- Social Media Platforms: If we embed social media content, those platforms may set cookies
These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we have no control over their cookies.
5.4 Managing Your Cookie Preferences
Browser Settings
You can control and/or delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:
- View what cookies are stored
- Delete all or specific cookies
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies
- Delete cookies when you close your browser
Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.
Browser-specific instructions:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
- Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions
Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit our website, we present a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept or customize your cookie preferences.
6. Your Data Protection Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
6.1 European Union/EEA Rights (GDPR)
- Right to Access: Request copies of your personal information
- Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your information
- Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your information to another organization
- Right to Object: Object to certain types of processing
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent
6.2 UK Rights (UK GDPR)
UK residents have similar rights as described above under UK data protection law.
6.3 Other Jurisdictions
If you are located in another jurisdiction, you may have rights under applicable local privacy laws. Please contact us to inquire about your specific rights.
6.4 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 10. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law (typically within one month).
7. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
- Secure server infrastructure
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security assessments
- Staff training on data protection
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 information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Typical retention periods:
- Contact form inquiries: 3 years from last contact
- Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
- Research collaboration data: Duration of project + 7 years (for academic/funding compliance)
- Website analytics: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
- Cookies: As specified in Section 5.2
9. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.
10. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy and Cookie Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
DeepVision Project
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth PL4 8AA
United Kingdom
Email: info@pml.ac.uk
Project Lead: Prof. Kerry Howell
Data Protection Officer (University of Plymouth):
Email: dataprotection@plymouth.ac.uk
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy and Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on our website
- Updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
- Sending an email notification to registered users (for significant changes)
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
12. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the EU/EEA, we process your personal information based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: When you provide explicit consent (e.g., newsletter signup)
- Legitimate Interests: For research purposes, website operation, and improvement
- Contractual Necessity: To fulfill collaboration agreements or event registrations
- Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
13. Supervisory Authority
If you are located in the EU/EEA or UK and believe we have not addressed your concerns adequately, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.
UK: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) – https://ico.org.uk
EU: Contact your national data protection authority
14. Accessibility
We are committed to making this Privacy and Cookie Policy accessible to everyone. If you require this policy in an alternative format, please contact us using the details in Section 10.
Acknowledgment
By using the DeepVision website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy and Cookie Policy and agree to its terms.