Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 5, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how Tech for Palestine (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, referred to as "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares personal information when you use our services (the "Services"). The Services include activities such as:

• Visiting our website: including all pages on our site (e.g. techforpalestine.org) that link to this Privacy Policy.
• Engaging with our organization: for example, joining our mailing list, signing up to volunteer, or submitting a project application to our incubator program via online forms.
• Using our application: if your project is accepted into our incubator, using our online portal or app to update project information and collaborate with us.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand our practices. By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or your personal data, contact us at the email or address provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Services, including personal information. The exact data we collect depends on how you interact with us.

Information You Provide to Us

We collect personal information that you choose to provide directly, such as through forms or communications. This includes:

• Contact Information: Your name, email address, telephone number, and similar contact data that you provide when, for example, joining our mailing list or signing up to volunteer.
• Volunteer or Application Information: Details you provide when you volunteer or apply to our incubator, such as your address, professional or educational background, project proposal, and any other information you include on application or registration forms. (We ask that all personal information you provide is true, accurate, and not misleading. You should update us if it changes, and you must not provide information that is obscene, defamatory, malicious, or violates any law.)
• Communications: The content of messages or inquiries you send us (e.g. emails, survey responses, or feedback). This may include personal data if you include it in those communications.
• Other Information You Choose to Provide: Any other data you voluntarily provide to us, such as when responding to surveys, participating in events, or other interactions.

Note: If you provide information about others (for example, refer a friend or include team members on a project application), you are responsible for ensuring you have the right or consent to share that information with us. We will use such information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect Automatically

When you use our website or app, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage via cookies and other tracking technologies. This information may include:

• Device and Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, network information, and device identifiers.
• Usage Data: Details about how you use our Services, such as pages or screens viewed, links clicked, time spent, and navigation paths. We may log the dates and times of visits, and performance data (such as errors or load times) for our website or app.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We (and authorized third parties) use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your interactions. For example, we use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand aggregate usage patterns. These tools may use cookies to store information like how often you visit, what pages you view, and what site referred you. This data helps us improve our website and services over time.

You can set your web browser to refuse some or all browser cookies or to alert you when cookies are being used. However, if you disable or refuse cookies, some parts of our Services may become inaccessible or not function properly. For more details, see "Cookies and Tracking Technologies" below.

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources in certain situations:

• Service Providers: For example, if we use an email newsletter platform or a volunteer management tool, it might provide us with information (such as confirmation that you opened our email or completed a form).
• Social Media or Linked Services: If you engage with our organization on social media platforms (like following our page or tagging us), or if our website includes social media plugins, those platforms may share limited information with us according to their policies (for instance, your public profile information).
• Partner Organizations: We may obtain information from partner nonprofits or collaborators (e.g. if you were referred to our incubator by a partner, or if we run a joint event and they share attendee info). We will handle such data according to this Policy.
• Public Sources: We might collect information from publicly available sources for outreach or research (for example, if we compile a list of tech entrepreneurs in a region via public records).

We treat any personal information obtained from third parties in line with the practices described here, plus any additional restrictions imposed by the source of the data. This Privacy Policy does not cover the practices of third parties who provide information; we encourage you to review their policies as well.

How We Use Your Information

We use personal information for purposes consistent with our nonprofit mission and as necessary to provide our Services. The purposes for which we process (collect, store, use, or share) personal information include:

• Providing and Improving Services: To operate and maintain our website, applications, and programs. For example, we use personal data to process volunteer registrations, evaluate incubator project applications, and facilitate project incubator activities. We may use data to personalize your experience and develop new features or services.
• Communication: To communicate with you about your involvement or interest in our organization. This includes responding to inquiries you send us, sending confirmations or updates related to volunteering or project applications, and notifying you of important changes or information about our Services.
• Email Newsletters and Updates: If you join our mailing list or otherwise opt in, to send you newsletters, announcements about our activities and progress toward our mission, event invitations, or fundraising appeals. (You will always have the opportunity to opt out of such communications, as described in "Your Privacy Rights".)
• Volunteer and Donor Management: To manage volunteer assignments or donor relationships (if applicable). For instance, we might use your data to track volunteer hours or to send donation receipts and thank-you letters.
• Incubator Program Support: For accepted projects in our incubator, to provide services such as mentorship, access to resources, and tracking of project progress. We use project team members' information to coordinate support and facilitate collaboration via our app or other channels.
• Analytics and Improvements: To analyze usage of our website and app, so we can understand how users engage with our Services. This helps us troubleshoot issues, secure our systems, and make informed decisions about improvements or new features. (For example, we might analyze which website pages are most visited or gather aggregate statistics on volunteer sign-ups per month.)
• Legal and Security: To protect the rights and safety of our organization, our users, or others. We may use information to detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, security incidents, and other harmful activity. We also may use data as needed to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to exercise legal rights.
• Record-Keeping: To maintain proper organizational records for administrative purposes. For example, we may keep records of volunteer agreements, consent forms, or correspondence. This also includes fulfilling any record retention requirements (such as tax records for donations, if any).
• Other Purposes with Consent: If we intend to use your information for a purpose not described above, we will explain it at the time of collection and, if required by law, obtain your consent.

We will not use personal information for purposes that are incompatible with the above, unless we obtain your consent or as permitted/required by law. Under most privacy laws, we are not allowed to materially change the purposes for processing your data without updating you and obtaining necessary consent. If we ever need to use your data for a new purpose, we will notify you and, if required, seek your permission.

How We Share Your Information

We understand the importance of your privacy. We do not sell your personal information to third parties for profit or monetary gain. We only share or disclose personal data in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers and vendors who perform services on our behalf. This includes, for example, website hosting companies, cloud storage providers, email newsletter platforms, volunteer management databases, or payment/donation processors. These service providers are given access only to the information necessary for them to perform their functions, and they are contractually obligated to protect it and use it only for our authorized purposes.
• Partner Organizations and Incubator Advisors: If you are accepted into our incubator program, we might share relevant information about you or your project with mentors, advisors, or partner organizations who are collaborating in the program. This is done strictly to further the support of your project and only with your consent or under strict confidentiality agreements. All such partners are expected to safeguard your information and use it only for program purposes.
• Legal Compliance and Protection: We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to (a) comply with a legal obligation, law or regulation, or in response to a valid court order, subpoena, or government request; (b) protect and defend our rights or property, or the rights, property, or safety of others; (c) investigate or assist in preventing any violation of law or this Privacy Policy or our Terms of Service; or (d) protect the personal safety of users or the public.
• Organizational Transfers: As a nonprofit, we do not have "owners" or shareholders. However, in the unlikely event of a major organizational change (such as a merger with another nonprofit, acquisition of our assets, or reorganization), personal information may be transferred to the successor entity. In such a case, your information would remain subject to the promises made in this Privacy Policy (unless you're notified otherwise and, if required, consent is obtained).
• With Your Consent: We may share your personal information for other purposes if you ask us to or explicitly consent to such sharing. For example, if we ever want to publish a testimonial or success story featuring you, we would seek your consent before doing so.
• Aggregated or De-Identified Data: We may share information that has been aggregated (combined with other data so it no longer relates to an identifiable individual) or de-identified (stripped of personal identifiers). For instance, we might publish reports showing total number of volunteers or general demographic trends. Such information cannot be linked back to you and is not considered personal data.

Importantly, we do not share personal information with third parties for their own marketing or advertising purposes without your consent. In other words, we will not give or sell your name or contact information to other organizations so they can market to you, unless you agree or request it. California residents have the right to be informed about our practices in this regard – we confirm that we do not disclose personal information to unaffiliated third parties for those parties' direct marketing purposes without consent.

Additionally, we do not "sell" or "share" personal information as those terms are defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (i.e., we do not exchange personal data for money or other valuable consideration, nor do we share it for cross-context behavioral advertising). Since we do not sell or share personal data in that manner, there is no need for you to "opt-out" of sales – we have no such activity by default. If this ever changes, we will update this policy and provide appropriate opt-out mechanisms.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Like most websites and apps, we use cookies and similar tracking technologies to provide and improve our Services. Cookies are small text files that websites save to your browser, which allow the site to remember your preferences or recognize your device on subsequent visits. We use cookies for several reasons:

• Essential Cookies: Some cookies are necessary for our site to function properly (for example, to keep you logged in to the incubator portal, or to remember your preferences).
• Analytics Cookies: We use third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) that set cookies to collect information about how users navigate our site. This helps us understand which pages are popular, how users are finding our site, and other usage statistics. We use this information in aggregate form to make our website better and more user-friendly.
• Functional Cookies: These cookies remember choices you make (such as your language or region, if applicable) and enhance your experience.
• Third-Party and Social Media Cookies: If our site integrates content from third parties (for example, an embedded video or social media share button), those providers may set cookies. We do not control these cookies; they are governed by the privacy policies of the third parties.

Your choices: On your first visit to our website, you may see a cookies notice or banner (if required by law in your jurisdiction, such as in the EU). You can consent to or reject non-essential cookies as indicated. Additionally, you can manage cookies through your browser settings. Most web browsers allow you to refuse new cookies, remove existing cookies, or notify you when new cookies are set. Please note that if you block or delete cookies, some features of our Services (especially the incubator app login or preferences) may not work properly.

We currently do not use technologies like web beacons or pixels in our emails, except as part of standard analytics (for instance, our email service might tell us if you opened an email newsletter). We do not use online advertising networks or behavioral advertising at this time, so you should not see third-party ads on our site that track you.

For more information on how we use cookies and how you can control them, you can contact us with any questions.

Data Security

We take data security seriously and have implemented reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include technical, administrative, and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. For example, our website uses HTTPS encryption to secure data in transit, and we restrict access to personal data to staff or volunteers who need it to perform their duties.

However, please understand that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You use our Services and provide information at your own risk. In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you and the appropriate authorities as required by law.

We also encourage you to take steps to protect your own information. This includes choosing a strong password for any account in our incubator app, keeping your login credentials confidential, and notifying us immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access to your account or information.

Data Retention

We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes we collected it for, including to satisfy any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

• Active Use: Information you provide (e.g. as a volunteer or program participant) will be kept for as long as you are active with our organization and using our Services. For example, if you are part of an ongoing project in the incubator, we will retain your account information throughout the project's duration.
• Mailing List: If you subscribe to our newsletter, we will retain your email address and related preferences until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete that information.
• Applications and Records: If you submit a project application that is not accepted, we may keep the information only as long as necessary for legitimate nonprofit purposes or legal compliance, unless you request deletion (subject to our legal obligations and technical feasibility).
• Legal Obligations: We may need to retain certain data for longer periods if required by applicable law. For example, if you make a donation, we might retain transaction records for 7 years for tax and audit purposes. Similarly, if there is a legal dispute or enforcement of our Terms, we would keep relevant information until it is resolved and for a period thereafter as required or prudent.
• Backup and Archival: Even after you delete information or close your account, copies of your data may remain in our backups or archives (which are not in active use) for a brief period until those backups are cycled out or deleted. We aim to incorporate secure deletion practices where possible.

When we have no ongoing legitimate need to process your personal information, we will either delete it or anonymize it (so it can no longer be associated with you), or if deletion/anonymization is not feasible (for example, because the data is stored in secure backups), we will securely store the data and isolate it from further use until deletion is possible.

Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years old without parental consent. If you are under 13, please do not use our website or send us any personal information without your parent or guardian's permission. We do not direct any of our content specifically at children under 13.

If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible. If you believe that we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us immediately so that we can investigate and address the issue.

For minors age 13 to 17: We generally require that individuals be at least 18 to volunteer or participate in our programs without a guardian. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you should only use our Services and provide personal information with the permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian. We strongly encourage parents/guardians to educate their children about online safety and to supervise their children's use of websites.

(Note: Because we are a nonprofit, certain laws like the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) may not directly apply to us. Regardless, we respect children's privacy and follow the practices described above.)

If you are a parent or guardian and have questions about personal data of your children that may have been collected by us, please contact us. We will be happy to delete such data or take other appropriate actions.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (where you live), you may have certain legal rights regarding your personal information. We strive to honor these rights and provide transparency and control to all our users. Below is an overview of rights that may be available and how you can exercise them:

General Rights for All Users

All users of our Services can exercise the following controls:

• Access and Update: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to receive an explanation of how we use it and who we share it with. You may also request correction or updates to your information if it is inaccurate or incomplete. For example, if you have an account on our incubator app, you can log in and update certain profile information directly. Otherwise, you can contact us to request updates or corrections.
• Deletion: You can ask us to delete your personal information. We will honor deletion requests to the extent required by law and technically feasible. For example, if you no longer want us to hold your data, you may request that we remove it from our systems. Do note there may be exceptions – we might retain certain information for legal compliance, backup systems, or internal purposes (see Data Retention above). We will inform you if any such exception applies.
• Objection to Processing: If we process your information based on our legitimate interests (or those of a third party), you can object to that processing if you feel it impacts your fundamental rights and freedoms. In some cases, we may have compelling legitimate grounds to continue processing (or a legal obligation), but we will consider and respond to your request.
• Opt-Out of Marketing: If at any time you prefer not to receive our newsletter or other marketing emails, you have the right to opt out. You can do so by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any promotional email, or by contacting us at our email address requesting removal. Once we process your opt-out request, we will stop sending you non-transactional communications. (Please note that even if you opt out of marketing, we may still send you transactional or relationship messages, such as confirmations of volunteering activities, updates on a project you're involved in, or important notices about our Services.)
• Consent Withdrawal: If we are processing your personal information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. The withdrawal of consent will not affect processing already carried out, but will stop future processing.
• Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of these rights.

To exercise any of the above rights, please see the "Contact Us" section at the end of this policy. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests (to ensure we don't modify or disclose data to the wrong person). We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update or revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or for other reasons. When we do, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top of this Policy. The updated Privacy Policy will be effective as of the time of posting, or a later date if explicitly stated. We encourage you to review this page periodically for the latest information on our privacy practices.

If we make any material changes to this Privacy Policy (for example, if we start collecting new types of personal data or significantly change how we use it), we will provide a more prominent notice of the change. This might include posting a notice on our website or, if appropriate, contacting you via email or other communication. We will comply with any legal requirements regarding notice or consent for changes. Your continued use of the Services after any changes indicates your acknowledgment of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

We will be happy to respond to your inquiries or assist you in exercising your rights. Thank you for caring about your privacy and for reading this policy.