Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Last Updated: August 5, 2025
We at OceanX take your privacy seriously and are committed to safeguarding your personal information. This Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) sets out how we collect, use, share and protect your personal information obtained when you use our website at www.oceanx.org or any other websites, mobile sites or applications owned by OceanX or that link to this Privacy Policy (collectively, the “Website”).
This Privacy Policy describes:
How and the purposes for which we may use your information;
The legal basis upon which we rely (to the extent required by applicable law);
The third parties with whom we may share your information;
The measures we take to safeguard your information;
Your rights and the choices available to you regarding your information; and
How to contact us about our privacy practices.
By using our Website, including by visiting or submitting information to this Website (including email), you are accepting and consenting to the provisions set forth in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, do not use the Website.
Note that donations to OceanX through our Website are facilitated by FundraiseUp, a third party platform, which utilizes payment processor Stripe, and all payment transactions will be subject to FundraiseUp’s Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and any other applicable terms. Any merchandise purchasing that may be made available from time to time is also subject to the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and other terms of any third party vendor or e-commerce platform to which we link for such purpose.
We will only process your information in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy laws. For the purposes of UK and EU data protection legislation, and for analogous provisions under Canadian and U.S. state privacy laws, the data controller is OceanX, 37 West 39th St, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA, Admin@oceanx.org.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may modify or update this Privacy Policy at any time and at our sole discretion, by posting the modifications on our Website. The modifications will be effective upon posting and the “last updated” date will be updated. You should review this Privacy Policy periodically so that you are aware of any modifications. Your use of any our Website constitutes your full acceptance of this Privacy Policy in its then-current form each time you use our Website. If you continue to use our Website after such modifications have been made, you hereby provide your consent to such modifications.
Information We Obtain
OceanX may obtain and collect personal information you provide directly to us, whether through this Website, by email, or by other means, including:
Contact information, e.g., when you sign up to receive newsletters or email updates, such as your name, postal address, e-mail address, and telephone number;
Marketing and communication preferences, including responses to forms or surveys, or data that you voluntarily submit regarding your interests and contact preferences;
Payment and donation-related information, e.g., when you make a donation or purchase merchandise through our Website, including full name, contact information, payment information, geolocation, and comments, which may be collected through integrated third-party payment processors;
Newsletter subscription details, such as your email address and interaction data (e.g., whether and when you open emails or click through on links), including when subscribing via integrated third-party email management and marketing systems such as Klaviyo;
Information that you provide in the course of submitting requests or proposals (e.g., for mission ideas or media projects) or employment, residency, internship or volunteering inquiries or applications, such as your name and contact information, job title and company name, employment and background information, details of the project proposal (e.g., name and affiliation of principal investigator, description and goal of the project, fields of research associated with the project, overview of scientific methods, timing, length, and intended location of the project), information on existing and needed funding for the project, and information contained within the proposer’s resume/CV; and
Other personal information you voluntarily provide to us, such as information contained in correspondence or as provided through user-submitted online forms, or communications with us via third party social media sites.
We may also automatically collect, store, and use information about your visits to the Website, such as:
Technical information, identifiers, and device data, including IP address, browser type, internet service provider, device identifier and characteristics, login information, time zone setting, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform, and geographical location;
Information about your visits and use of the Website, including the number and frequency of your visits to the Website, clickstream to, through, and from our Websites, information regarding websites accessed immediately before and after your visit to this Website, pages you viewed and searched for, page response times, length of visits to certain pages, referral source/exit pages, page interaction information (such as scrolling, clicks, and mouse-overs), website navigation, and search terms used;
Information collected by cookies or similar tracking technologies (see more on cookies and other tracking technologies below).
Certain personal information may be collected and processed by third-party service providers acting on our behalf, such as payment processors, merchandise fulfillment platforms, and email management and marketing systems. These third parties may have their own privacy policies that govern their handling of your information. We encourage you to review those separate policies, as their practices are not controlled by OceanX and may differ from ours. If you have questions about specific third-party providers that may handle your personal information, please contact us.
Cookies and other Tracking Technologies
In addition to the information collected through automated tracking mechanisms noted above, we also use “cookies” and other tracking technologies to obtain technical and usage data. Cookies are small amounts of data or text files that are set to your browser from a web server and stored on your computer or other device for the purpose of facilitating and enhancing your communication and interaction with our Website.
Cookies and local storage may be set and accessed on your computer or other device. Most web browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. Your browser settings may allow you to be notified when you receive certain types of cookies or to restrict or disable certain types of cookies. You can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent; however, if you reject all cookies, you may not be able to take full advantage of all of the features of our Website. Additionally, if you clear all cookies on your browser, you will have to again reset your browser’s cookie preferences again. For mobile devices, you can manage how your device and browser share certain device data by adjusting your privacy and security settings.
We or our service providers may use one or more of the following types of cookies for the purposes set forth below:
Analytics and Performance Cookies: These cookies are used to collect information about traffic to our Website and how users use our Website. The information gathered includes the number of visitors to our Website, referring websites, page visits, time of visit, visit duration, whether the user has visited our Website before, and other similar information. This information is aggregated and does not identify any individual users. We use this information to help us improve how our services work and to gather demographic information and usage trends.
Essential Cookies: These cookies are essential to provide you with services available through our Website and to enable you to use some of its features. For example, they allow you to log in to secure areas of our Website and help the content you request load quickly. Without these cookies, the functionality that you have requested cannot be provided or may not perform as expected, and we only use these cookies to provide you with this functionality.
Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow our Website to remember the choices you make when using our Website, such as remembering your login details. These cookies are used to provide you with a more personal experience. They enhance your user experience during repeat visits, for example by removing the need for you to re-enter your preferences upon each visit to our Website.
Social Media Cookies: These cookies are used when you share information using a social media sharing button or plugin on our Website, and when you engage with our content through a social media networking website such as Facebook, X/Twitter, TikTok or Instagram. These cookies may track your browser across other sites and build a profile of your interests.
We may also permit third-party providers (including email systems, analytics platforms, and payment processors) to use cookies or similar technologies on our Website in connection with their services. These third parties may collect information directly from your browser or device and are subject to such third party’s own separate privacy policies.
You can find more information about cookies and how they work, what cookies have been set to your computer or mobile device and how to manage and delete them at http://www.allaboutcookies.org/ and www.youronlinechoices.com/uk
In addition, we may use a variety of other technologies that collect similar information for security and fraud detection and prevention purposes. We may also collect information using web beacons (also known as “tracking pixels”). Web beacons are electronic images that may be used in our Sites or emails and help deliver cookies, count visits, understand usage and campaign effectiveness and determine whether an email has been opened and acted upon.
Do Not Track Signals
Most web browsers and some mobile operating systems and mobile applications include a Do-Not-Track (“DNT”) feature or setting you can activate to signal your privacy preference not to have data about your online browsing activities monitored and collected. No uniform technology standard for recognizing and implementing DNT signals has been finalized, however. As such, we do not currently respond to DNT browser signals or any other mechanism that automatically communicates your choice not to be tracked online. If an industry standard for responding to DNT signals is adopted in the future and we are required to comply, we will update this Privacy Policy accordingly.
How We Use the Information We Obtain
We may use the personal information we obtain about you to:
Provide, operate, maintain, and improve our Website, programs, and services;
Provide you with information and services that you request from us, and respond to your comments, questions and requests;
Communicate with you, including sending newsletters, updates and other marketing communications that we think will be of interest to you;
Send you confirmations, technical notices, updates, security alerts, and support and administrative messages;
Solicit volunteers, donations, and support for OceanX;
Facilitate participation in events and programs that we and our partners host or provide and interaction with other participants in such events and programs;
Manage opportunities and operations for missions, educational initiatives, media projects, and other collaborations with OceanX and our partners;
Process transactions and other user-initiated activity, including (i) facilitating donations, merchandise and other purchases, registrations, and other user submissions, (ii) processing payments through third-party providers, and (iii) managing recordkeeping associated with the foregoing;
Track and understand how you use and interact with the Website;
Perform analytics (including market research, demographic and trend analysis, financial analysis, statistical reporting, and anonymization and/or aggregation of personal information, including for research and reporting purposes);
Measure, manage, and evaluate the usability of the Website and the effectiveness of our communications
Enforce our Terms of Use, as well as the terms and conditions of any contracts or agreements entered into with you or any policies applicable to you;
Protect, maintain, and enhance the safety, security, and integrity of our Website, users, services, and operations, and prevent misuse thereof;
Detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, misuse, and other criminal activity, as well as other claims and liabilities; and
Comply with and enforce applicable legal requirements, relevant industry standards, and policies.
In compliance with relevant law, we may retain your information as needed or appropriate to fulfill the above purposes and/or to otherwise serve our legitimate business purposes, or as permitted or required by law. When required by law (including under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar international frameworks), we process your personal information only when we have a valid legal basis to do so. This may include (i) with your consent, (ii) in the performance of a contract with you, (iii) in compliance with legal obligations, or (iv) in connection with our legitimate business purposes and interests, so long as those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.
Disclosure of Information We Obtain
OceanX will not share your personal data with third parties except as provided in this Privacy Policy. If you choose to make a donation, we may obtain additional information from you associated with your donation, including your payment information. This information will not be leased or sold to other organizations for fundraising purposes, unless you have provided OceanX with specific permission to do so.
OceanX will not sell, rent, or disclose your personal information to anyone except as follows:
We may share your personal information with our affiliates for the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy.
We also may share your personal information with vendors, consultants, and other agents and service providers who need access to such information to provide services on our behalf (such as IT providers, email management and marketing systems, payment processors, donation or merchandise fulfillment services, and analytics vendors). We do not authorize these agents or service providers to use or disclose the personal information except as necessary to perform services on our behalf or comply with legal requirements. Our third-party agents and service providers are subject to contractual security and confidentiality obligations and are only permitted to process your personal data for specified purposes and in accordance with the law and our instructions.
With appropriate notice to you, with your consent, or at your direction, including if we notify you through our Website that the information you provide will be shared in a particular manner and you provide such information.
We also may disclose personal information about you: (i) if we are required to do so by law or legal process (such as a court order or subpoena); (ii) in response to requests by government agencies, such as law enforcement authorities; (iii) to establish, exercise, or defend our legal rights or a third party’s rights, for example, to enforce or apply our terms and conditions, in response to a court order, subpoena, or a request by a law enforcement agency, or to respond to claims that any content violates the rights of any third party; (iv) when we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to prevent physical or other harm or financial loss, or attaches on the technical integrity of our Websites or networks; (v) in connection with an investigation of suspected or actual illegal activity; or (vi) otherwise with your consent.
We may also share aggregated or anonymized information that does not directly identify you.
Your Rights With Respect To Your Personal Information
You will receive notice when your personal information might be provided to a third party for any reason other than as set forth in this Privacy Policy, and you will have an opportunity to request that we not share such information.
Depending on your place of residence and the applicable data protection laws, you may have the right to:
Access and request a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
Correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information;
Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational exceptions;
Object to or restrict the collection, processing, and/or use of your information in certain circumstances;
Request data portability, allowing you to obtain and reuse your personal information for your own purposes;
Withdraw your consent, where processing is based on such consent;
Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (if applicable under your local law); and
Raise concerns about automated decision-making processes or profiling that have legal implications or similarly significant effects.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at admin@oceanx.org. We reserve the right to verify your identity or take other actions that we believe are appropriate. We may refuse to comply with a request if the request is clearly unfounded or excessive or repetitive in nature. We also may be entitled to refuse requests, wholly or partly, where exceptions under the applicable law apply. We may refuse a request for erasure of personal information, for example, where the processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation or necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims or for record-keeping and research purposes. If you are a resident of a jurisdiction that grants you additional rights, please contact us, and we will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws.
To opt out of receiving direct marketing communications, such as promotional emails, or to unsubscribe from our services, please contact us at admin@oceanx.org or use the “unsubscribe” link in the emails.
Security and Protection of Personal Information
OceanX makes reasonable efforts to maintain the security, integrity, and privacy of any personal information you choose to give us. We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include secure servers, encryption, limited access protocols, and other industry-standard practices and procedures.
Despite these efforts, no method of transmission via the internet or method of electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure. As such, we cannot guarantee that personally identifiable information that we collect will be absolutely secure or will never be disclosed in a manner inconsistent with this Privacy Policy. By utilizing this Website, you indicate that you understand and accept that there are inherent risks associated with data transmission and storage over the internet, and that you knowingly and voluntarily assume these risks.
Unless you instruct us otherwise, we will retain your personal information for as long as is reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including for lawful business purposes, to comply with legal, accounting, or reporting obligations, or as otherwise permitted or required pursuant to applicable law or regulation.
Security of Personal Information on Third-Party Websites
This Website may contain links to other websites for your convenience and information, as well social sharing or interaction, such as social media sites. These websites are operated by third parties that are not affiliated with OceanX and are not under our control or supervision. Linked third-party websites may have their own privacy policies or notices, or no privacy policies at all. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of other sites to see how your personal information will be treated by third parties or handled on the third-party sites before providing them with your personal information. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or use of any third-party websites.
Information From Users Outside of the United States; Consent to Transfer Information
OceanX is headquartered in the United States and this Website is operated from the United States. If you are located in another country, please be aware that information you provide to us will be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States (or in other jurisdictions in which our third-party services providers may be located). By using this Website or providing us with any information, you consent to the transfer, processing, and storage of your information in the United States (or to or in other jurisdictions in which our third-party service providers may be located). The United States and such other jurisdictions may have privacy laws that differ from those in the country where you reside or are a citizen, and may not be as comprehensive or deemed to provide the same level of data protection.
When required by law (such as under the EU GDPR, the UK GDPR, or other international frameworks), we implement appropriate safeguards to protect personal data transferred across borders. These safeguards may include the use of Standard Contractual Clauses approved by relevant regulatory authorities or reliance on service providers that participate in recognized international data transfer frameworks. We will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
By using our Website, or by submitting any personal information to us, you acknowledge and consent to the transfer, processing, and storage of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. Please contact us if you would like more information about our cross-border data practices or safeguards.
Application of this Privacy Policy to Children
Our Website is not directed to children under the age of 18, and we do not intend to collect (and will not knowingly collect) personal information from or about children under the age of 18. If we become aware that a child under the age of 18 has submitted personal information to us, we will use all reasonable efforts to delete such information from our records. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under age 18 that has provided us with personally identifiable information, please contact us at admin@oceanx.org if you would like that information removed from our records.
We understand that young people need special safeguards and privacy protection. We strongly urge all parents to participate in their children’s online activity, and to teach their children about protecting their personal information while online. If you are a child under the age of 18, you are not authorized to submit any information to us without the explicit consent of your parent or legal guardian.
Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution
Any disputes, actions, or proceedings relating to this Privacy Policy, or to our handling of personal information, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law rules, and must be brought in the federal or state courts in the City and County of New York. By using our Website, you irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of those courts in all disputes arising out of or relating to this Privacy Policy.
How To Contact Us
When we refer to “OceanX” in these Terms, we are referring to the various entities that comprise OceanX, including Oceanographic Research and Exploration Foundation, OceanX Media LLC, Greenwich Maritime Services LLC, OceanX Education, Inc., OX Singapore Ltd., and their other affiliates and other related entities, and their respective agents, representatives, and employees.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at Admin@oceanX.org. If you require this Privacy Policy in an alternative format in connection with a disability accommodation, please contact us at this address and we will endeavor to provide you with a suitable version.