Privacy Policy | Centre for Geopolitics & Economic Intelligence

1. Introduction

The Centre for Geopolitics & Economic Intelligence (CGEI) is committed to protecting personal information and respecting the privacy rights of every person who visits our website, communicates with us, participates in our activities or uses our services. References to “CGEI”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean the Centre for Geopolitics & Economic Intelligence. The Policy explains the personal information we collect, the purposes for which we use it, the circumstances in which it may be disclosed, the period for which it may be retained and the rights available under applicable data protection law. The Policy applies to geoeconcentre.org, CGEI online services, enquiries, programmes, fellowships, events, research activities, professional relationships and services provided to partner organisations. CGEI is the controller of personal information used for these purposes. Questions about this Policy may be sent to webmaster@geoeconcentre.org.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal information:

a. Information You Provide

Your name, title, email address, telephone number, country, job role, organisation and other professional details.
Information submitted through a contact form, enquiry, expression of interest, application, registration or subscription.
Information relating to participation in a programme, fellowship, event, advisory assignment or other CGEI activity.
Information relating to a partner organisation, its authorised representatives, agreements, requests, support tickets, communication and deliverables.
Documents, messages and other information supplied when you communicate with CGEI.

b. Information Collected Through the Website

Internet Protocol address, browser type, device information, date and time of access, pages requested and referring website information made available by your browser.
Session, account and security information used to protect forms, authenticate authorised users and prevent unauthorised access.
Cookies and similar technologies used for website operation, security and permitted website functions. Further information is provided in the CGEI Cookie Policy.

c. Information Obtained From Other Sources

Information supplied by your employer, organisation or an authorised representative.
Information supplied by service providers assisting CGEI with an authorised activity.
Official information available from government publications, regulatory records, company websites, directories, research publications, event materials and reputable news sources.

Where personal information relating to another individual is disclosed to CGEI, the person making the disclosure is responsible for ensuring that the disclosure is lawful, that any required authority has been obtained, and that the individual has received the information required under applicable data protection law, including the information contained in this Policy, unless a lawful exemption applies. Please do not submit classified information, special category information, confidential information belonging to another person or information unrelated to the stated purpose of a form or request unless CGEI has expressly requested it and an appropriate method of submission has been agreed.

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use personal information for the following purposes:

To operate, maintain and protect our website and online services.
To respond to enquiries, applications and expressions of interest.
To administer programmes, fellowships, events, research and professional activities.
To establish and manage accounts and relationships with partner organisations and their authorised representatives.
To receive, assess and deliver commissioned research requests, support services and approved deliverables.
To communicate about services, requests, publications, events and activities relevant to an existing relationship or stated interest.
To maintain accurate contractual, administrative and security records.
To conduct and publish research concerning geopolitical, economic, policy, corporate and sector developments.
To prevent misuse, fraud, security incidents and unauthorised access.
To comply with legal and regulatory obligations and establish, exercise or defend legal rights.

We do not sell personal information.

4. Processing of Personal Information

We process personal information only where a lawful basis applies. The basis will depend on the purpose and circumstances of the processing and may include:

Contract, where processing is necessary to take requested steps before an agreement or to perform an agreement.
Legitimate interests, where processing is necessary to conduct CGEI activities, administer relationships, protect services, maintain records, conduct research or protect legal rights, provided that those interests are not overridden by the rights and interests of the person concerned.
Legal obligation, where processing is necessary to comply with a duty imposed by law.
Consent, where a specific and informed choice is required. Consent may be withdrawn at any time without affecting processing carried out lawfully before withdrawal.
Public interest or another basis permitted by law, where the applicable legal conditions are satisfied.

Acceptance or acknowledgement of this Policy does not constitute consent to every use of personal information described in it. Where consent is required, it will be requested separately and for a specified purpose.

5. How We Share Your Information

We may disclose personal information only where necessary and lawful. Recipients may include:

CGEI personnel, fellows, advisers and consultants who require the information for an authorised purpose.
Service providers supporting website hosting, information security, email, document storage, communication, payments, records management or technical services.
The relevant partner organisation and its authorised representatives.
Professional advisers, auditors, insurers, banks and payment providers.
Organisations assisting with an agreed programme, event, research activity or service.
Regulators, courts, public authorities and law enforcement bodies where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
A successor organisation where a lawful reorganisation, merger or transfer affects CGEI activities.

Service providers acting for CGEI are required to process personal information only for authorised purposes and under appropriate contractual and confidentiality obligations.

6. Data Security

We apply reasonable measures designed to protect personal information against accidental loss, unauthorised access, unlawful use, alteration or disclosure. Access is limited to persons who require the information for an authorised purpose. Authorised users are responsible for keeping their account credentials confidential, using a password not used for another service, signing out after using a shared device and notifying CGEI promptly of suspected unauthorised access. No method of transmission or storage can provide an absolute guarantee of security.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Subject to the conditions and exemptions established by law, you may have the right to:

Request confirmation that we process your personal information and obtain a copy of it.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion of personal information in certain circumstances.
Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
Object to processing based on legitimate interests and object at any time to direct marketing.
Receive certain information in a structured, commonly used and machine readable format where the legal conditions for data portability apply.
Withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis.
Request safeguards where a decision producing a legal or similarly significant effect is made solely by automated means.

CGEI does not use its website or online services to make decisions about individuals solely by automated means that produce legal or similarly significant effects. To exercise a right, contact webmaster@geoeconcentre.org. We may request information necessary to confirm your identity or authority. Requests are normally answered within one calendar month. Where the law permits an extension, we will inform you and explain the reason.

8. Marketing Communications

We may send information about CGEI publications, programmes, events or services where you have requested it or where applicable law otherwise permits the communication. You may withdraw consent or object to direct marketing at any time by using the unsubscribe method provided or by contacting webmaster@geoeconcentre.org. Service, account and security communications are not marketing communications and may continue where they are necessary.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for website operation, security, account access and permitted website functions. Where consent is required, the relevant technology will not be used before you have made a choice. Information about the cookies used and the choices available is provided in the Cookie Policy.

10. International Data Transfers

CGEI works with people and organisations in several countries. Personal information may therefore be accessed or processed outside the United Kingdom. Where a transfer is restricted by law, we will use an approved safeguard, complete any assessment required by law or transfer information to a country covered by United Kingdom adequacy regulations. Information about the safeguard used for a particular transfer may be requested from CGEI, subject to lawful restrictions.

11. Retention of Data

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, legal and regulatory obligations, security, records management and legal claims. In determining the retention period, we consider the nature of the information, the purpose of processing, the relationship concerned and any legal requirement.

General enquiries that do not progress are normally retained for no longer than two years after the last substantive communication.
Programme, fellowship and event records are retained for the period needed to administer the activity and any reporting period that follows.
Partner, agreement, commissioned research, support and deliverable records may normally be retained for seven years after the relationship or request ends.
Security records are retained for the period required to protect services, investigate misuse and comply with legal obligations.
Consent, objection and suppression records may be retained for as long as necessary to respect your choice and demonstrate compliance.
Published research and archive records may be retained for longer where preservation serves an evidential or public record purpose.

When personal information is no longer required, it will be deleted, anonymised or restricted pending secure deletion. Copies held in protected backups may remain until the applicable backup cycle expires.

12. Special Category Information

CGEI does not ordinarily seek information concerning health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetics, biometrics used for identification, sex life or sexual orientation. Where an activity requires such information, we will identify an additional legal condition and provide further information where required. Information about criminal convictions or offences will be processed only where the law permits it.

13. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to websites controlled by other organisations. CGEI is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those websites. Their privacy policies apply when you follow an external link.

14. Complaints

If you are concerned about the way CGEI has collected or used your personal information, you may submit a complaint to webmaster@geoeconcentre.org. Please identify the information or activity concerned and the outcome you are seeking. We will acknowledge a data protection complaint within 30 days, take appropriate steps to investigate it, provide information about progress where required and communicate the outcome without undue delay. You may also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or seek a remedy through the courts. We ask that you raise the concern with CGEI first so that we have an opportunity to address it.

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy when our activities, website functions or legal obligations change. Any revision will be published with an updated review date. Where a change affects the use of personal information, we will provide an additional notice where required by law or reasonably appropriate.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Policy, wish to exercise a data protection right or want to make a complaint, please contact us at: Email: webmaster@geoeconcentre.org