Privacy Policy

1. Overview

The Scientific Collaborative for Orthopaedic Research & Education ("SCORE," "we," "us," or "our") operates this website to share research, connect collaborators, and facilitate team applications. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights with respect to that information. By using this site, you agree to the practices described here.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you submit a team application through our Collaborate page, we collect:

• Full name and professional credentials
• Email address
• Institutional affiliation
• Role and category (e.g., medical student, resident, fellow)
• Professional biography and research interests
• PubMed profile link (optional)
• Profile photograph

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit this site, standard web server logs may record your IP address, browser type, referring URL, and pages visited. We do not use third-party analytics trackers or advertising cookies.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information you submit to:

• Review and process team membership applications
• Display approved member profiles on the Team page
• Communicate with you about your application status
• Coordinate research collaboration opportunities
• Maintain internal records of SCORE membership

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party. We do not use your information for marketing purposes unrelated to SCORE's academic mission.

4. Profile Display

If your application is approved, your name, credentials, institution, biography, and profile photo may be displayed publicly on the SCORE Team page. By submitting an application, you consent to this public display. You may request removal or updates to your profile at any time by contacting us at [email protected].

5. Data Storage and Security

Application data is stored in a secured database hosted on GoDaddy's infrastructure. Profile photographs are stored in a secured file system. We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain application data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by applicable law. Rejected applications are retained for a reasonable period for administrative purposes and then deleted. Approved member profiles are retained for the duration of the member's affiliation with SCORE and for a reasonable period thereafter.

7. Cookies

This site uses only essential session-based storage (such as admin authentication state stored in your browser's localStorage) necessary for the site to function. We do not use advertising cookies or cross-site tracking cookies.

8. Third-Party Services

This site embeds Instagram posts from SCORE's official account (@score_group) via Instagram's public embed feature. Instagram's own privacy policy governs any data collected through those embeds. We also link to PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine; their privacy policy governs your use of that service.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information (subject to legitimate retention needs)
• Withdraw consent for public profile display

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected].

10. Children's Privacy

This site is intended for medical professionals, researchers, and students in health-related academic programs. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy may be directed to: